350-Year-Old Deer Antler-Cutting Tradition Held in Nara Park
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. (News On Japan)
A 350-year-old deer antler-cutting ceremony held in Nara Park aimed to safeguard visitors from aggressive male deer during their mating season. Participants in traditional happi coats pursued the animals through an enclosed area, capturing them by their antlers and carefully removing them with the aid of a Shinto priest. This Shika no Tsunokiri tradition began in the Edo period to reduce injury risks and has remained a significant cultural event in the ancient capital.
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