"Kin no Tamamushi Giyuu Insects" is a perfect case study of modern internet culture. It illustrates how:

Historically, the most famous reference is the (玉虫厨子) at the Horyu-ji Temple. This small, portable shrine is decorated with paintings of Buddhist narratives, specifically scenes from the Jataka tales —stories of the Buddha’s previous lives, where he sacrifices himself for the good of others (often being reborn as an animal or insect).