Deer Of Nara

My Wednesday in Japan post...
I have posted about Todai-ji-Temple, Nara before but after posting a photo of Nara on my Monday post I though I would re-visit
The Deer of Nara.

The street cover of Nara.

Sika Deer, are regarded as messengers of the Gods in the Shinto Religion.
The deer roam the grounds of the Todai-ji-Temple and part of the city of Nara freely.
There is always someone sweeping so the pathways and streets are quite clean.

They like to visit and chat, and a nice Latte would be lovely but they are always hoping for a special deer cookie.
You will see them cross the busy intersection in the crosswalks with the tourists and the people who live and work there.
It is a hoot to be waiting to cross the street and look over and there in the crowd is a deer waiting to cross with you.

Sometimes they will cross the street by themselves but they don't always pay attention to the red and green lights.
Hey they are the messengers of the Gods !
So even if it your green light, you must wait till they cross the road.
On the right side of the photo you can see part of a sign that tells you how to feed the deer or to hold your hand up finger spread so they will see you don't have any special cookies.

Venders sell deer cookies for tourist (me) to feed the deer.

If they see the large round cookies you learn to walk fast as you are feeding them ...

because they will surround you with hungry mouths and teeth if you stop.
Run David Run !

A cousin of thehamish, don't you think ?

fingers. . . parsnip
music. . . The Peter Gunn Theme, The Blues Brothers
update...
If you bow to a Deer of Nara they will bow back, that photo somehow disappeared from today's blog.
So be sure to check the Monday post to see one bowing to my son David.