Chinese Cricket Cages

Crickets have long been fascinating pets in China and Japan. They are hunted, brought home, and put in tiny, ornate cages. Some were also made to fight. Some of these crickets are fairly large and can get quite loud.

Cages from the early 20th century can be from straw, wood, gourd, brass, ivory--you name it. You can get an idea of how precious and diverse they are on sites like THIS. 

Here's a modern market in Shanghai: