The morning call., 1890-09-14
TAME DEER OF NARA.
The Strange Population Of a
Queer japanese Village.

AS was leaving Kioto on my first eXpedi-
tion TO the venerable and romantic city of
Nara, one of the most ancient capitals of the
japanese empire, received a singular eau
ton from my merry friend 0shikoji, the hon
orable Kuge's sen.
Expect strange visitors he cried. Pre-
pare TO meet the most wonderful acquant-
anceS you have ever encountered in all your
travels"
But had seen so many rare and marvel
Gus things in Japan that the admonilion
was forgotten before my journey was fairly
begun, writes E. II. House to the New
I Urk World. Arriving at Nara on bright
summer afternoon | found comfortable
quarters in the upper story of the largest
inn that the place contained. After re-
spending to the landlords salutatioDs and
accepting the wishes CT his household for
my health and happiness, l proceeded to-
make change OF dress and otherwise put
myself in order for stroll through the
beautiful temple groves for which the re-
gion is famous.
While thus engaged was disturbed by q
loud gathering on the floor below, presently
followed by the sound of heavy footsteps
clamberlDg up the rough staircase which led
to my apartment. Somebody was making
an extremely noisy and clumsy attempt to
intrude upon my privacy. There was no
door TO close, for, as in many rustic Japan
csc habitations, the rooms of the second
story were reached through hole cut in the
floor, 10 which no covering was provided.
The way was open, and if any person chose
10 force himself upon me 1t would be diff
cult to prevent him, except by using strong
measures of discussion.
The extraordinary noise grew louder, and
| waited for an explanation with no little
rfn ClfN Nnnn FTTn INV anna 1tnrN
pair of spreading antltrs rose through the
aperture, followed by the delicate and grace
full head Of young deer The warning
given in Htoto came suddenly to my remem-
branee. Truly, more astonishing visitor
to ones bedroom could rot be conceived of.
Struggling awkwardly to his feet, the pretty
animal advanced with friendly confidence
and gaZed into my face with what took to
be look of gentle interrogation.
Having, however, no suspicion as to the
purpose of his coming, stared blankly in
return, until with toss of his horns and a
sniff of disappointment lie moved TO the in
SpeCtOn OF my baggage, which lay loosely
scattered upon the mating For several
minutes he made himself free with my
wardrobe, pushing various objects about
with his nose, and apparently searching for
something TO his taste, but the investigation
proved fruitless. and fixing his big eyes re-
prOachfully upon me he stalked gravely TO
the staircase and descended backward with
comical deliberation, feeling his way with q
security that betokened practiced famil-
1arity with the interior structure of human
dwellings.
On setting forth to explore the neighbor-
hood little later, | was abundantly, not 10
say oppresSively, supplied with the extra
ordinary compauionship of which l had
been forewarned, Streets, gardens and
parks were throneed with deer of all sizes
and ages. Wherever the eye could reach
they might be counted by thousands. They
seemed to constitute the real population Of
the city, and they certainly displayed far
greater activity and interest in lie than
their human co-reSidentS.
Several OF them at once approached me
with the same anxious look OF inquiry that
my unbldden guest at the inn had worn.
Again | failed to comprehend, until d group
OF stays surrounded me and signted by un-
mislakabe action that was required to ac-
company them TO Ger ain corner, at which
peddler OF sweet cakes was sta toned. 1t
was impossible to resist their pressing invita-
ton, although there was nothing violent in
their demonstrations. They closed around
me and waited patiently while | purchased
supply Of their favorte refreshment and
fed them one after another by hand At
various points OF the temple grounds | was
compelled to repeat this operation, and |
soon learned that the sale of crisp biscuit
Tor the consumption OF the deer was one Of
tne established Industries OF that cOuntry.E
For more than one thousand years these
beautiful creatures have fearlessly enioyed
the freedom of Nara in obedience to the
legendary DEGREES of tender-htarted en-
press OF olden times. This lady, moved to
compassion by the plaintiye cries of hind
whose mate had been destroyed by the hunt
ers, signtheG her command that in all ages
to come no deer should be wantonly slain
within the environs of the imperial court
10 this day this tradition Is respected. and no
mans hand is lifted against these harmless
inhabitants of the woods. They dwell in
little lodges provided by the priests, who
are their authorized guardians and protec-
tors, and they pass their lives in familiar
association with the citizens, whom they
0utnumber ten TO one. All doors are open
to them, and the idea that danger can re-
suit from this intimate fellowship with the
race of bipeds never darkens their limo
cent thoughts. Their privileged existence
is one Of the happiest illustrations of the
natural simplicity and humanity of the
japanese people.