Deer Antler Cutting

“Deer Antler Cutting” is a traditional event that has been passed down for about 350 years, from the Edo period to the present day, in order to ensure the safety of deer and the people of Nara.

Autumn is breeding season for deer, and bucks become aggressive as they compete with other bucks for females.
Sometimes males fight each other using their large, sharp antlers.

Humans have to cut off the buck’s antlers to prevent them from getting into fights and possibly causing injury to bystanders.

Deer Antler Cutting was carried out in the Edo period (1605-1868), and we do it in the same style nowadays.
Men called “Seko,” using only ropes and their bare hands, catch bucks that have been released into the Rokuen Deer Shelter playground.
Cutting the antlers at this stage does not cause any pain, and new antlers grow the following year.

Deer Antler Cutting is held for three days in mid-October every year at the Rokuen Deer Shelter.

Deer Antler Cutting in 2024
October 12（Sat.）
October 13（Sun.）
October 14 (Mon.)
11:45-15:00

Admission Fee
Adults 1,000 yen　
Children 500 yen

●Rokuen（The Nara Deer Preservation Foundation）
160-1, Kasukaino-cho, Nara-shi, Nara
https://x.gd/yIKAC