Posts Tagged ‘nara’

Nara’s deer lose their antlers

A 300-year old, annual event at Kasuga Taisha Shrine, “Shika-no-Tsunokiri” or deer antler cutting ceremony is held to prevent deer from hurting people or one another. This ceremony is held at the deer enclosure along the path (Omotesando) of the shrine. A running deer is chased and caught. Sake is given to it to calm it down, and then its antlers are cut off. The removed antler is dedicated to the shrine.

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Japan Photo of the Week: Kasuga Taisha

Kasuga Taisha is a shrine on the edge of Nara Park and is famous for having a lot of stone and bronze lanterns. By a lot I mean in the thousands.

If you are in Nara, it would be a shame to miss this UNESCO World Heritage Site and in a few weeks there will be a great opportunity. The lanterns are only lit a few times a year (twice I think?) and one of those times is for Obon. The Lantern Festival of Kasuga Taisha takes place August 14th and 15th. As much as I liked it during the day, I can imagine Kasuga Taisha really amazing at night with all the lanterns lit! Anyone ever go at a time when the lanterns were lit?

For more photos and information check out the Japan Photo Guide or for some larger and higher quality photos take a peak at the gallery.

This photograph was taken by Evan Pike.

Terrifying mascot costume unveiled in Nara

A new costume based on Nara mascot Sento-kun:

[via Zaeega]

Another Nara mascot??!!

Apparently two mascots weren’t enough. A Nara-based Buddhist group announced yesterday that it had created its own mascot to mark the 1,300th anniversary of Nara becoming capital of Japan.

Here’s some FTV coverage of the press conference:

And a large image of the new mascot:

The mascot’s name is Namu-kun, and despite what you may think, he is a boy. He is made to look like Prince Shotoku, a leader whose palace is said to have been located in Nara. Some feel that this mascot is more respectful towards Buddhism than the unpopular Sento-kun, an antlered Buddha-thing that the Nara government officially named its mascot back in March.

In a poll conducted in our last post about the Nara mascot battle, Japan Probe readers overwhelmingly picked Manto-kun over Sento-kun. Let’s see how the newest mascot performs in a poll!

English language information on things to see in Nara

The Japan Times reports about a new free English language magazine aimed at foreign tourists who visit Nara:

With the launch of Nara Explorer this month, there is now an English magazine that introduces the area’s long and complex history in a clear and concise way and offers practical information to overseas visitors that is hard, if not impossible, to find elsewhere. The quarterly publication is free and available in the city.

The premiere issue introduces cultural attractions like the Great Buddha at Todaiji Temple, natural wonders like the Mount Kasuga Primeval Forest and a calendar of summer events in the city and prefecture.

Gourmets will appreciate the list of restaurants ranging from small shops serving plum-flavored noodles to a cafe offering dishes with “kodai-mai,” an ancient rice variety symbolic of Nara. Nara Explorer also has advertisements for English-language walking tours and practical information for the foreign traveler on where to exchange money or get more information in English.

For more info, check out NaraExplorer.jp.

Nara mascot faces internet rival

The struggle to do away with Nara’s new mascot has made it into the Asahi Shinbun:

NARA–Saying the official choice of a mascot to celebrate the 1,300th anniversary of the relocation of the capital here is just not cute enough, a citizens group has created a rival critter: Manto-kun, pictured right.

Manto-kun was chosen from 619 proposals by ballot and over the Internet, members of Creators Forum Yamato said Monday. About 49,000 people voted.

The group came up with the alternative mascot because the official mascot, Sento-kun, left, is “not cute,” members said.

Local merchants say they plan to use Manto-kun. Nara, which became the capital in 710, is celebrating the anniversary in 2010.

In a previous JapanProbe.com poll, a mere 11% found Sento-kun to be better than average, with only 3% declaring him to be “cute.” Let’s see how he matches up to his new rival:

[via Rocking in Hakata]