The Deer of Todai-ji

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The approach to the temple at Todai-ji is through the Nara Park, which is home to around 1200 deer, which are free to roam as they please.  These deer are regarded as messengers of the gods and are sacred because the God “Takemikazuchi-no-mikoto” rode a deer.  The deer are considered as residents and it is a crime to harm one.

The deer are fed offerings of shika senbei, special crackers that are sold by vendors for 150 yen.  The deer associate people with food and are not backwards in demanding some shika senbei.  Some have learnt to bow before receiving a cracker and there were plenty of bowing going on when we were walking up to the temple gate.

The deer are not dangerous but will bite unintentionally so be warned.

These shots were taken on the Fujifilm X-Pro2 fitted with the 16-55mm f2.8 or 10-24mm f4 lenses and also the X-T1 with the 50-140mm f2.8


For more information on Nara Park and the temple at Todai-ji CLICK HERE
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