[New Children's Book] Independent Researcher Unravels the Mystery of Firefly Conversations! Kumon Publishing Releases 'I Want to Know the Language of Fireflies'

Kumon Publishing Co., Ltd. (President: Yoshinori Izumida) released the new children's book 'I Want to Know the Language of Fireflies' (Author: Yuichi Oba) on April 16.

This book explains the mystery of Heike firefly conversations discovered through many years of observation by Hideo Takatsu, an 'independent researcher' not affiliated with universities or research institutions. The book is written by Professor Yuichi Oba (Chubu University), an expert in bioluminescence.

### Introducing a World-Class Discovery by an Independent Researcher Beginning with Darwin and Fabre, scientists around the world have researched why fireflies glow. The protagonist of this work, Hideo Takatsu, used outdoor observation and handmade electronic gadgets to discover the new fact that Heike fireflies conduct 'light conversations' in specific patterns. This discovery was formally published as a research paper with the support of the author, Professor Yuichi Oba, and was highly praised by experts as a 'completely new discovery.'

### Research Background and Objectives of the Book Mr. Takatsu's research began with a sense of crisis regarding the decline of familiar creatures. Based on his belief that 'to protect creatures, one must know their ecology correctly,' he continued his personal observations over many years. This book introduces the case of Mr. Takatsu, who achieved a world-class discovery through pure curiosity and passion without belonging to a research institution. Through his attitude, the book conveys to the children of the next generation the importance of digging deep into familiar questions and the excitement of inquiry.

### Attention to Exquisite Illustrations by Science Illustrator Shun Anzai! Professor Oba, an expert in bioluminescence, verbalized the way fireflies glow using onomatopoeia. Furthermore, science illustrator Shun Anzai scientifically and beautifully visualized the delicate 'twinkling' shown by male Heike fireflies.

### Bibliographic Information Title: I Want to Know the Language of Fireflies Written by: Yuichi Oba / Illustrated by: Shun Anzai Target: Elementary school middle grades and up Price: 1,400 yen + tax Format/Pages: A5 size, 64 pages, full color ISBN: 978-4-7743-3876-7

### Author Profiles Author: Yuichi Oba Born in Sapporo in 1970. Graduated from Hokkaido University Faculty of Science. Professor at the College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chubu University. PhD in Science. He calls his field 'Bioluminescent Biology' and conducts various research on bioluminescent organisms.

Illustration: Shun Anzai Born in Saitama Prefecture. Graduated from Nihon University. He is a science illustrator who works on museum exhibition illustrations, encyclopedia illustrations, and educational manga.