Latest news with #Muromachi
Yomiuri Shimbun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Noh Prays for Peace: Revived Play to Be Performed in Tokyo by Komparu School Actors
A noh piece themed on the double-flowered cherry blossoms cherished in the ancient capital of Nara will be performed at the National Noh Theatre in Tokyo's Sendagaya on Monday. The piece, titled 'Yaezakura,' had not been performed for centuries, but it was revived and performed in Nara last year. The performance in Tokyo will be the first of its kind outside of Nara. It will be presented by Za Square, a group of four professional Komparu school noh performers, who are: Takahashi Shinobu, Tsujii Hachiro, Inoue Yoshiaki and Yamai Tsunao. Flower had remained unknownNara-no-yaezakura cherry blossoms are said to have been the subject of a famous waka poem by Ise no Osuke, a court lady who served Empress Shoshi (988-1074). The poem reads: 'Inishie no Nara no miyako no yaezakura, kyo kokonoe ni nioinuru kana' (Double-flowered cherry blossoms from the ancient imperial capital of Nara bloom in the Kyoto imperial palace today). The type of cherry blossom tree the poem is referencing had long remained unknown. However, the species was discovered in 1922 in the mountains behind Chisoku-in, a branch temple of Todaiji temple in Nara. Now, the cherry species is a designated national natural monument. Nara-no-yaezakura no Kai, an organization that protects and nurtures the Nara-no-yaezakura cherry species, commissioned Komparu school noh actor Komparu Hodaka to revive the 'Yaezakura' noh piece, which was created during the Muromachi period (1336-1573) and had not been performed since the Edo period (1603-1867). It finally was performed in spring last year after being unseen for many was also performed at the annual Takigi O-Noh event held at Kasuga Taisha shrine and Kofukuji temple in May this year. The Komparu school originated in Nara and is the oldest of the five schools of noh theater. The school has decided to include 'Yaezakura' in its repertoire. Takahashi, leader of Za Square and a back chorus member at the revived piece's premiere, is from Nara Prefecture and has a strong affinity for the piece. 'I want to perform this piece, which incorporates Nara's scenery, in Tokyo,' said Takahashi, who will play the 'shite' lead role this time. The story begins with an imperial minister meeting an old man while admiring yaezakura cherry blossoms in full bloom. The old man says he serves Kasuga Myojin, the deities of the Kasuga Taisha shrine. He tells the minister that the blossoms are from the same cherry tree whose flowers were featured in the famous poem. He also recounts the history of the deities before disappearing. The old man is actually the deity of Mizuya Shrine, associated with Kasuga Taisha. In the second half of the piece, the deity appears and dances in the moonlight to kagura Shinto music, praying for prosperity. This piece belongs to the 'waki noh' category of noh theater. In performances of this category, deities bless the land with peace and tranquility, and the atmosphere is often celebratory. One example is 'Takasago,' part of which is often sung at wedding ceremonies. Compared to many other noh pieces, 'Yaezakura' is relatively short at just over an hour. It also needs no 'tsure' actor supporting the shite lead role. Takahashi describes the piece as 'simple and light.' Tsujii, another Za Square member, said, 'This piece preserves the traditional form of waki noh.' Tsujii also said the piece includes scenes and plot developments seemingly based on other noh pieces, such as 'Nomori' and 'Awaji,' so audiences familiar with noh can enjoy finding their similarities. Za Square member Inoue said: 'Noh is a performing art of prayer. When this piece is performed, the atmosphere of prayer flows across the stage.' The shite lead role wears a powerful-looking 'O-Tenjin' type noh mask. 'I want to perform with energy in order to convey blessings to the audience,' Takahashi said. Performance group back to full strength Za Square was formed in 1998, when its members were in their 20s and 30s. At that time, only one person could become a professional every 10 years or so in the Komparu school. They eagerly support the school's foundations and work hard. The upcoming event in Tokyo marks the unit's 28th performance. The four members, having gained experience, now are like a central pillar of the school. 'Whenever I think of staging a large-scale piece, the other three members come to mind. They are so reliable,' Inoue said. Za Square member Yamai said, 'We want to play a central role in carrying on the tradition of our school into the future.' A month before the unit's previous performance last summer, Yamai suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and canceled his appearance. Takahashi performed in his place. At the time, Takahashi wrote in the performance brochure, 'Yamai absolutely shall return.' True to his words, all four members will take the stage together again as the unit's name indicates.
27-05-2025
- General
Fu: Savoring the Tastes and Textures of Japan's Traditional Vegan Wheat Protein
The traditional Japanese food fu appears in a wide array of dishes, from soups to hotpots to stir-fries. Glutenous and protein-rich, it adds texture to dishes and often replaces meat, offering healthy, hardy vegetarian options of mealtime favorites. We look at the three different types fu and their uses. Fu is a traditional Japanese food made from wheat gluten. Spongy and protein-rich, it absorbs the flavors of other ingredients, making it a versatile and nutritious addition to everything from soups to simmered dishes to stir-fries. As it is plant-based, it has long been a staple in shōjin ryōri, Buddhist vegetarian cuisine. Fu is made by mixing wheat flour into a dough to create gluten, which is then kneaded and washed in water to remove the starch. The resulting elastic mass is combined with different ingredients and baked, steamed, or deep-fried to make different types of fu. The ancestor of fu is thought to be a food called menchin, which Zen monks studying in China purportedly brought back to Japan during the Muromachi period (1333–1568). Early on, wheat was a rarity and fu was typically only eaten at temples, shrines, and the imperial court on special occasions. With the start of the Edo period (1603–1868), improvements in wheat farming and transportation made the grain more readily available, and fu became a more prominent part of the diets of regular people. Just as for Buddhist monks in the past, people today enjoy fu as a healthy food that is high in protein but low in calories. Below we look at the three main types of fu: steamed or boiled nama-fu, baked yaki-fu, and deep-fried age-fu. Nama-fu This type of fu typically contains other ingredients like yomogi (mugwort), sesame seeds, and various flours made from millet or glutinous rice, which produce a range of colors, tastes, and textures. Nama-fu is steamed or boiled and is chewy in texture. It comes in a variety of shapes and styles, such as rectangular dengaku enjoyed with sweetened miso paste or formed into decorative items resembling things like spring blossoms and autumn leaves that add seasonal zest to home cooking as well as traditional multi-course kaiseki cuisine. Nama-fu resembling seasonal items like mushrooms, autumn leaves, and slices of lotus root. (© Pixta) Yaki-fu Yaki-fu is made by adding wheat flour to gluten and then baking the concoction, allowing it to be stored for long periods without spoiling. It readily absorbs broths and marinades while retaining its chewiness, making it a popular addition to soups, hotpots, and simmered dishes A small variety called komachi-fu is often added to miso soup, and the round kuruma-fu, which is made by wrapping multiple layers of fu around a stick before baking it, and flat ita-fu make hardy substitutes for meat in stews and fried dishes. The amount of wheat flour added to the gluten determines the consistency of yaki-fu, with more producing heavier and less making lighter types. Other varieties of yaki-fu include colorful, flower-shaped hana-fu, rolled uzumaki-fu, and large, bun-like manjū-fu. There are also numerous regional variations. Kuruma-fu with Okinawa-style stir-fried vegetables. (© Pixta) Age-fu Age-fu is also made by mixing wheat flour and gluten, but instead of being baked it is fried, with the final product having a round, oblong appearance not unlike a small baguette. It is most closely associated with northern Miyagi and southern Iwate Prefectures, with a popular variety known as sendai-fu served in the katsudon style over rice and topped with egg. Aburafu-don made with sendai-fu is a filling, healthy treat. (© Pixta) Fu Spinoffs The starch-rich residue leftover when fu is made is also put to use. Mixed with water and left to ferment for around two years, it solidifies into a mochi-like texture when steamed. It is mixed with powdered kudzu root to make kuzumochi, a popular dessert in the Kantō area that is savored with sweetened soybean powder (kinako) and Japanese brown sugar syrup (kuromitsu). Kuzumochi. (© Pixta) (Originally published in Japanese. Banner photo © Pixta.)
Metro
17-05-2025
- Metro
I holidayed like a local in Japan and didn't touch Tokyo, Osaka or Kyoto
From Tokyo's neon-lit streets to the world-leading restaurants of Osaka, Japan is the destination of dreams for millions of travellers. But after a record-breaking year for tourist arrivals in 2024, the country is grappling with overtourism, and the challenges that come with it. Kyoto has been dubbed the 'seventh ring of hell' as its cobbled streets buckle under the weight of surging visitors. And, in a crack down down on 'paparazzi tourists', the government is considering raising departure tax. Yet there are whole swathes of Japan that remain largely undiscovered. If you're willing to veer off more well-trodden tracks, you'll be rewarded with ancient hot springs, volcanic mountains and verdant forests — practically untouched by international travellers. From the rolling hills of Nasu Highlands to the striking shrines of Nikko, I took the road less travelled in the Land of the Rising Sun. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. Here's my top tips for holidaying like a local in Japan, including the best onsens and and the small but charming spots that are worth your time. Hot springs are big business in Japan. Known as onsens, they are essentially baths of volcanic spring water replete with natural minerals that claim to provide health benefits from stress relief to clearer skin. Onsens are part of Japan's self-care culture, but popular spots like Kurokawa and Beppu have become stiflingly crowded since the advent of TikTok. A quieter alternative is Nasu, a sprawling mountain village where onsens have been on the go since the 8th-century. They are believed to be among the oldest in Japan. Located on the eastern slope of Mount Nasu, my top choice is Shika-no-Yu, the village's oldest onsen which is still open to the public. Bear in mind that all onsens require you to be totally naked (they're gender segregated) and people with tattoos may be refused entry. Some resorts also have in-house onsens (check before booking). Bettei Kai, one of the locally-owned hotels I stayed at, had a private onsen I'd recommend to anyone. As well as hot springs, Nasu, in the Tochigi prefecture north of Tokyo, boasts excellent hiking, skiing and artisanal cheese (the region is one of the biggest producers of cheese in Japan). Did you really go to Japan if you didn't visit any shrines? Across the country there are thousands of fascinating historical sites, most with no entry fee. The crowds at temples like Kyoto's Fushimi Inari Taisha cause headaches for everyone, but you can wander in peace at Sessho-seki in Nasu. Known as the Killing Stone and a short walk from the Shika-no-Yu onsen, this shrine is essentially a huge lava rock on the slope of Mount Nasu. Legend from the Muromachi period has it that a fox with nine tails disguised itself as a beautiful woman and tried to kill the Emperor Toba. After fleeing to Nasu, the demon vixen was vanquished and turned into a stone, late named Sessho-seki because many creatures died from the poisonous air it emitted. This place has been designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty. While it's stunning, be warned that there is a strong smell of sulphur in the area from the rocks. In nearby Nikko, a one-hour drive, you'll find the UNESCO World Heritage site Toshogu Shrine, as well as Futarasan-jinja Shrine and Rinnoji Temple all within walking distance of each other. At the latter two are 'matchmaking' temples for couples who want to stay the course (not sure what happens if you're single). Another good choice is the Unganji Temple, a working monastery where monks train. It's free to wander the grounds. I'm not a natural cyclist , but Japan's countryside sparked a love affair with bikes, namely the e-bike variety. I recommend a tour with Rider Experience Inc, a multi-day cycling tour operator that takes you to 'hidden Japan'. Packages include slow e-bike journeys, a foodie bike tour from Nasu to Nikko and a 12-day trip around the Tohoku region for the professionals among us. My group cycled through bamboo forests, rice villages and the haiku field, once frequented by Matsuo Basho, one of Japan's most famous Haiku poets. If you fancy it, you can try writing your own Haiku, inspired by the dramatic landscapes that surround the field which influenced Matsuo. One of my favourite parts of this trip was riding through Nikko Kaido Cedar Avenue, registered by the Guinness World Records as the longest tree-lined road in the world. A one-day private tour which includes lunch, harvesting experience and souvenir, as well as the renting of bikes is ¥38,500 Japanese Yen (£202). There are also shorter alternatives, such as a three-hour tour which costs around £35. This is definitely worth it, especially if you do the Kitomana forest route where you may see Mount Fuji at sunset towards the end of your cycle. Book via the Rider Experience website (all guides speak English). The Japanese Highlands has exceptional natural beauty, with vibrant bursts of crimson, orange and yellow that rival the cherry blossoms the country is better known for. But there are specific places you can go to for the perfect shot of Momiji — red maple trees that come to life towards the end of the year. This includes the Shiobara Onsen area. While most go for the hot springs, it's also a great place to stop and take in the view. Pedestrian suspension bridges span the river nearby and offer sweeping views over the water and surrounding forest. The scenery is particularly beautiful from late October to early November during the autumn leaf season. Another great area for foliage is Komadome Falls, which falls about twenty metres from a cliff on the Yosasa River. Its name means 'waterfall where even the horses stop'. If you're in the highlands, chances are you're there to hike. My favourite trek was in Heisei-no-Mori, a national park beloved by the Japanese royal family. Nasu Heisei-no-Mori Forest consists of two areas: the Forest Recreation Zone and the Forest Learning Zone. The Forest Recreation Zone is free and open to anyone to roam around and explore. This zone features wheelchair-accessible paths, trails to the observation deck at Komadome Falls, and sheltered rest areas. The Forest Learning Zone which is a big hike with a private guide giving you history and insight into the environment costs around around ¥10,000 (£52, depending on the size of the group). The Forest Learning Zone is only accessible through guided walks with a nature expert as part of the park's conservation efforts. I recommend the latter, especially as our guide was full of enthusiasm and interesting insights (we even found a discarded bear paw on the floor). This hike is not difficult and lasts around 1.5 hours. Get ready to become an expert on chop sticks as these local eateries really are local (but don't panic, you can ask for a fork if you fail). Head to Tensui for delicious soba (buckwheat noodles), served cold or hot with freshly fried vegetable and prawn tempura. Meals cost between ¥1,000 (£5.23) and ¥2,999 (£15.69). Over at restaurant Mizuhokura, expect kaiseki meals (Japanese traditional meals of different items arranged in various dishes), which include fish, rice topped with seaweed, pickled vegetables, fried chicken, tofu, and miso soup (be careful, the last one isn't vegetarian like it is in other eateries). More Trending My meal of local vegetables, egg, rice, miso soup cost ¥1,500 (£7.87). Over in Nikko, we had a private yuba (tofu skin) kaiseki dinner at Takaiya. Our group were the only diners, meaning we got a tailored experience of a traditional Japanese meal. For a banquet cuisine featuring the full works you're looking at prices from ¥7,260 (£38) for lunch and upwards of ¥9,680 (£50.68) for dinner. Our meals – tofu and beancurd inspired meal with vegetables, fish, rice, soup and others – cost slightly more as the restaurant was open exclusively for us, costing ¥12,000 (£62). Getting there Nasu is just over an hour away from Tokyo. You can get the Shinkansen, the bullet train, to Nasushiobara from around £29. If you're doing one of the Rider Experience tours, a taxi from the Shinkansen station to the meeting point will be about £35. Once you're there, you can cycle from Nasu to Nikko meaning you won't need to arrange extra transport (a van carries your luggage to the destination). For non-cyclists, you can take the Shinkansen from Tokyo or Ueno stations to Utsunomiya, then change to the JR Nikko Line. This costs around ¥5,000 (£26.23) – 5,500 (£28.87) and takes just under two hours. For all of this, of course you'll need to get to Tokyo first. Direct flights with British Airways from London to Tokyo cost upwards of £937 based on prices for June 2025 China Eastern also has a route with one stop for £557 for the same dates. Where to stay In Nasu Bettei Kai, a mix between a traditional ryokan and an urban hotel, complete with a private onsen. My room had two futons, so perfect for bigger groups. We also had breakfast and dinner kaiseki at the restaurant for our meals which were delicious and freshly made by chefs on site. Price per person is from ¥52,950 (£277.25) depending on the room. Itamuro Onsen Daikokuya: a traditional Japanese ryokan. This hotel has three onsens, two inside and one outside as well as sauna rooms. Outside there is also a log fire with benches where you can enjoy afternoon tea, surrounded by trees. The price for a Japanese-style delux room with a shared bathroom (bear in mind the rooms don't have a shower, you'll have to go downstairs to the onsen to bathe), cost around £277. In Nikko Kanaya Hotel: a Western-style hotel that could be confused for one in London (there's even the staple taxi cabs located outside). These high-end digs have been graced by famous faces including Albert Einstein, Prince Edward, Eleanor Roosevelt and Amelia Earhart. At Kanaya: an affordable option with breathtaking views from most rooms. Prices start from £163 and you can opt for a continental breakfast option. It's also a good location, a short walk to the Nikko Toshogu Shrine; Kegon Waterfall is a 30-minute drive away. MORE: I spent 96 hours in 'little London', where life is easier MORE: I visited Turkey's viral beach — it's not what it seems MORE: I found a hidden side to Rome in the 'city that never was'
SoraNews24
07-05-2025
- SoraNews24
Welcome to Japan's smallest natural mountain, where you get a climbing certificate at the summit
A unique place to get a shrine stamp that tourists are yet to discover. If you believe life is all about small wins, then there's a site in Japan you'll really want to visit. Called Bentenyama, this little-known site will give you a big sense of accomplishment…as it's the lowest mountain in the entire country. Located in Tokushima, on the island of Shikoku, the elevation of this mountain is a surprising 6.1 metres (20 feet), so you can climb to the summit in a matter of seconds. Despite the short ascent, there's a lot to discover, so join us as we begin the journey to the top of Bentenyama. ▼ 日本一低い山弁天山 ('Japan's lowest mountain Bentenyama') The easiest way to get here is from the nearest station, Jizobashi on the Mugi Line, which is a 13-minute walk away, although it's not far from Tokushima Station either, taking about 20 minutes from there by car or electric bicycle. However you get here, you won't have to worry about conserving your energy for the climb, because when the mountain appears, it looks like little more than a hill. The mound actually has a fascinating origin story, as the area around here used to be sea, and Bentenyama was an island surrounded by water. In the Muromachi period (1336-1573), the seawater receded, turning the area into wetlands, and the small island became the small mountain we see today. Because of its sea connections, the local deity, Ichikishimahime-no-mikoto, a guardian goddess of the sea, was enshrined here, and Itsukushima Shrine was established at this site. As a sacred site, there's an aura of the otherworldly here, and the path to the top is well maintained, with stairs, a slope, and even handrails, making it super safe. ▼ After passing through the torii gate and walking up the first set of stairs… ▼ …you'll reach the top in just 12 seconds! Feeling a great sense of achievement without even breaking a sweat, we were rewarded with a serene setting at the top of the mountain when we arrived. ▼ The dappled sunlight falling upon this small shrine made the place seem even more magical. ▼ As for the mountain views… ▼ …well, they weren't much different from the view at ground level. Turning back to the shrine, we saw there was a glass case containing amulets and souvenirs, including a goshuin (shrine seal) stamped on paper slips, and a summit certificate. Placing our money in the donation box, we took out a goshuin and a certificate, which cost 100 yen (US$0.69) each. The climbing certificate was a cute and clever idea, with the writing on it stating that it certifies that you have reached the summit of Bentenyama. The red shrine seal was beautiful, stamped on a thick piece of paper that had an image of the mountain printed on it, along with the words '弁天山' ('Bentenyama'), '厳島神社' ('Itsukushima Shrine'), '登拝' ('Touhai', which refers to the act of climbing a sacred mountain as an act of worship) and '日本一低い自然の山' ('Japan's lowest natural mountain'). That final sentence is key to the mountain's fame, because unlike the three-metre high Hiyori-yama in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, and the 4.53-metre high Tenpozan in Osaka, which are often referred to as Japan's lowest mountains, Bentenyama is not an artificial mound. ▼ Tenpozan That makes this the lowest natural mountain in Japan, giving it more appeal than the human-made ones, and although it's well known to locals, it's yet to be as famous as its human-made counterparts. Once you explore the world of Japan's smallest things, you'll find there are other low-lying land forms waiting to be explored, including Kasayama in Hagi, Yamaguchi Prefecture, which is the lowest volcano in Japan. With the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan yet to officially define what constitutes a 'mountain', there are plenty of gems to are quite a few 'lowest mountains' in Japan, which play a key role in revitalizing local communities so next time you're looking for a unique place away from the tourist crowds, be sure to check them out. Site information Bentenyama / 弁天山 Address: Tokushima-ken, Tokushima-shi, Kataue-cho, Benzaiten 8 徳島県徳島市方上町弁財天8 Website Photos ©SoraNews24 ● Want to hear about SoraNews24's latest articles as soon as they're published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! [ Read in Japanese ]
Asahi Shimbun
24-04-2025
- Science
- Asahi Shimbun
Experts identify the species of Shosoin's famed 'dragon' mummy
The "Koryu" mummy (Captured from No. 47 Bulletin of Office of the Shosoin Treasure House) NARA—The species resembling a "dragon" mummy that has long been kept in the Shosoin Repository here, a World Heritage site, has been positively identified through X-rays, it was announced on April 23. Zoologists and other experts have determined that the mummified body was an adult female Japanese marten from the weasel family, according to the Shosoin Repository office of the Imperial Household Agency. The mummy, called "Koryu," was among the treasures kept at the repository. The experts closely examined objects made from animal horns and bones, as well as fossils that had been kept as medicinal ingredients from centuries ago, and identified their species. Along with the Koryu, some treasures that were thought to be ivory and reindeer antlers, respectively, have been found to be parts of different animals. On April 23, the Imperial Household Agency's Shosoin office based in Nara announced the results of appraisals by zoologists and archaeologists from the National Museum of Nature and Science and the University Museum of the University of Tokyo. The Koryu is a mummified animal resembling a small dragon that was thought to be a mammal, measuring about 40 centimeters in length from head to part of the tail. In an investigation in the 1950s, it was tentatively identified as a marten based on the shape of its teeth that can be observed from the outside. Fragments of several other types of mummies have also been handed down as parts of other so-called Koryu. X-RAY EXAMINATION When did the Shosoin Repository begin keeping the Koryu mummy? The Koryu doesn't appear in documents handed down from the Nara Period (710-784). When the sixth shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate Ashikaga Yoshinori (1394-1441) visited Todaiji temple in 1429, he cut off a part of Ranjatai agarwood that had been passed down in the repository. A monk at Todaiji temple wrote in his diary that at the time, the shogun found an object resembling a dragon, which was dried by sunlight. So, the Koryu mummy is believed to exist from around the time. This time, the mummy of the marten was confirmed by a more comprehensive observation of the teeth and head bones through X-rays. In addition, radiocarbon dating was used for the first time of a Shosoin Repository treasure, and it was determined that it dates from the mid-11th century to the mid-12th century. Furthermore, it was found that the fragments from other Koryu kept by the repository included a mole's front legs, a crow's legs and a pigeon's hip bone. The research group concluded that, considering the records of five repairs to the repository in the 11th and 12th centuries and that there are still gaps in the ceiling of the repository, it is believed that a marten invaded the repository and died and became a mummified animal inside the treasure house. However, the research group also concluded that it is possible that the Koryu mummy was brought there on purpose, considering that the front legs have not been found in investigations of the treasure fragments that have been ongoing since the Taisho Era (1912-1926). Records from the Muromachi Period (1336-1573) reported that it would rain whenever the repository was opened due to the presence of the dragon-looking mummy. For the recent investigation, it rained heavily on the scheduled date when researchers would come from Tokyo to prepare for specifying the dates, and Shinkansen services were suspended. So, the plan was postponed. It is also believed that people started to call the mummy Koryu around the Edo Period (1603-1867). "The age determination research this time has significantly increased the possibility that the mummy is the same as the sun-dried dragon-looking object recorded in the document from the Muromachi Period," Mami Tsuru, a member of the conservation science department at the Shosoin office, said at a news conference on April 23. "We believe this is a good example of how Shosoin has protected not only beautiful items, but also all the items inside the repository." ANALYZING FOSSILS Experts have also analyzed other animal fossils that had been kept in the repository as medicinal ingredients. The distinctive elephant molar teeth were determined to be those of an Namadicus elephant, an extinct species close to the Naumann's elephant, which also lived in the Japanese archipelago. The Namadicus elephant inhabited from China to India. Other items examined included deer antlers, which were not confirmed to exist in the Japanese archipelago, and hyena teeth. Most treasured items, such as a ruler and a scepter, which have been said to be made of ivory, and a cup believed to be made from a rhinoceros horn, were confirmed to be made from the materials that have been documented in history. Meanwhile, the curved animal bones that had been passed down as "ivory" were found to be whale ribs. In addition, ramified horns that had been thought to be reindeer antlers were found to be from a species of deer called the Pere David's deer, which inhabits China. The research report was published in the 47th issue of the Bulletin of Office of the Shosoin Treasure House. It can be downloaded for free from the Shosoin office website (
