NARA –
A traditional deer antler-cutting ceremony dating back some 350 years was held at Nara Park, where handlers chased and captured male deer before carefully removing their antlers to prevent injuries to visitors during the autumn mating season.
Known as Shika no Tsunokiri, the event is one of Nara’s most distinctive autumn traditions, drawing spectators to watch men dressed in traditional happi coats pursue deer running at high speed through a specially designated enclosure.
The practice began during the Edo period to reduce the risk of injuries caused by male deer, which become more aggressive during the autumn breeding season. The ceremony has continued for approximately 350 years, becoming an important part of the ancient capital’s cultural heritage.
During the event, handlers used ropes to catch the deer by their antlers, some of which measured more than 50 centimeters in length. Once an animal was safely restrained, a participant dressed as a Shinto priest carefully sawed off its antlers, taking precautions to avoid injuring the deer.
Spectators watched as the handlers pursued the animals and carried out the traditional procedure. One visitor described the experience simply as “fun,” while another said the event provided an opportunity to experience Japanese tradition firsthand.
The ceremony concluded with the freshly removed antlers being held up for the audience to see, drawing applause from the crowd.
The annual practice serves both a practical safety purpose and a cultural role, preserving a centuries-old tradition associated with Nara’s famous deer, which roam freely throughout the park and remain one of the city’s best-known attractions.
Source: TBS
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: newsonjapan.com
