Shika no Tsunokiri

Monday, Lamika and I went to Nara to watch the Shika no Tsunokiri (Deer Antler Cutting Ceremony). It was pretty bizarre. We got there at 11:15, and it started at 12. We waited in a really long line (well, it got really long after us!), and paid ¥1000 to get in. The audience was ushered into a semi-arena, and there were three bucks already inside. According to literature I received there,
"The Antler Cutting Ceremony has been held for more than 330 years in Nara. During the mating season in autumn, the bucks turn very wild. They scratch their antlers against the trees in the park and this destroys them. Sometimes they even attack humans.
The Antler Cutting Ceremony was started in order to prevent these accidents. There are about then men called "Seko (beater)" who chase the bucks and capture them. They wear "Happi" coats with the design of wisteria, the crest of Kasuga Shrine. In their hands they hold equipment such as "Juji" and "Danpi". Some Sekos who go after the wild bucks are bare-handed and capture them magnificently.
The main device used to capture the bucks is called a "Juji". "Juji" is made of crossed bamboo sticks and rope. The Seko flings the "Juji" through the air, the rope gets hooked on the antlers, and the Seko pulls the rope towards him and then pushed down the buck. One the deer has been captured, the Shinto priest gives it some water to drink. After waiting for it to calm down, the priest cuts off the antlers with a saw."

Me and a deer mascot. In line, waiting to get in the ceremony.

Wisteria crest.

The Sekos enter like Gladiators.

A priest sawing off antlers.

This is why they cut the antlers.

A young boy practicing archery.

Kasuga Shrine.

Lamika bought an English fortune.

Too bad it was MISFORTUNE!!!!

Lamika's new boyfriend. He was in Jr. High. Here's their conversation:

Boy: Where are you from?
Lamika: New York.
Me: Where are you from?
Boy: OBAMA!
*There is a city called Obama, and it might have been true that his school was on a field trip from Obama to Nara. However, I think he didn't hear me. Lamika tells me people should Obama at her sometimes hahaha.

Boy: You're very beautiful.
Lamika: Thanks! What about my friend? (gestures to me)
Boy: (looks at me) You too.