If you appreciate the sensorial aspects of life, it’s hard not to like the movie Scent of the Green Papaya. The film feature birds chirping nearby; rain falling on leaves; floating flowers; wind blowing a strand of hair; wooden elements and pottery elements in a home; a cricket in the garden; and, sounds on a hot night, for example.

One of my favourite sounds is the semi (Japanese for cicada). The semi repeats its song over and over again in a rhythmic pattern, with a pause in between. When you hear that sounds you know you’re in the midst of the hottest “dog days” of summertime. Semis are less attractive than the cockroach, but not reviled because they do not get into dirty places. If you can design fabric as thin as a semi’s wings, are a talented fabric designer.

Other Sounds:
This website offers up a number of well known and much loved sounds in Japan – such as the sweet potato (Ishiyaki imo) call.