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.

Stealth is my new favorite word.

Today I took an epic 8 hour round trip train ride with multiple transfers, didn't eat all day because I went to a super rural part of Kansai that had less and less English, only spoke 4 words aloud all day (and they were Japanese) and it was totally worth it for one reason, and one reason alone:

Ninjas.

*I just reread that, and holy cow I'm ridiculous hahaha. That's super over-dramatic. I like it though*

I went to Iga-Ryu Ninja Museum in Iga City, Mie Prefecture, Japan. I also visited Iga-Ueno Castle. It's beautiful. I left Kobe around 12, and arrived in Iga City at 4. I used my parent's leftover Kansai Pass (Thanks Mom and Dad!!!) so I couldn't ride JR. No big deal... Just take subway to Sannomiya, Hanshin line to Osaka-Namba, Kintetsu line to Nara, switch directions to Iga-Kambe, then the Iga Line railway to Iga-Ueno Park.

It was kinda scary being alone for that whole time, since I usually explore with friends. I kept telling myself it was a character building exercise. I think it worked.

Iga-Ueno Castle. It's beautiful! The light was pretty gorgeous too. It looks a lot like Himeiji Castle in Kansai.

Bonsai tree on display.

View from the castle walls. Check out that moat!

View in the other direction. I believe that huge building is actually a high school.

Moat wall.

Ninja demonstration!

In the final battle, two guys shot streamer things into the audience to simulate their guts. It was GREAT!

Tricks of the Ninja house. My house will have all of these. I went on a tour of a ninja house, and it was AMAZING. I wish I could've taken photos. Great.

History of the Ninja.

Tree Chart of Ninjas (The Art of Stealth)

Sidewalk art.

I am a Ninja. I had a stranger take this photo.

Sword demonstration.

Throwing star demonstration.

He's juggling small scythes.

He throws a coin up in the air, catches it on its side on the top of the umbrella, and has it rolling around for a while.