Deer Antler Cutting (Shika no Tsunokiri)

About this event

A traditional autumn event in Nara Park that has continued for more than 350 years, 'Deer Antler Cutting' (Shika no Tsunokiri) is said to have begun in the Edo period to prevent accidents caused by deer antlers. Because male deer in the rutting season become aggressive, cutting off their antlers has helped foster coexistence between humans and deer. In this event, people called 'seko' use red flags to herd the stags into the antler-cutting arena. Amid the echoing sounds of taiko drums, the seko work together to hold down the stag, and a Shinto priest in an eboshi hat cuts off the antlers with a saw. Since there are no blood vessels or nerves running through the antlers, the deer feel no pain, and new antlers will grow back the following year. The cut antlers are offered before the altar. The thrilling contest between the seko and the deer, along with the antler cutting by the priest, are highlights that evoke the autumn charm of the ancient capital of Nara.

Venue

Rokuen Deer Enclosure

160-1 Kasuganomachi, Nara, Nara 630-8212