Kinka-zan part 4 the antler cutting ceremony

Please click on the photos once and then a second time to view in full detail.

Stags from the island have their antlers cropped in an rare ancient ceremony that only occurs in two places in Japan. They are herded into the enclosure then caught by lassoo and by the mens bare hands.

Then the stag is carried to a mattress where the priest ( or vet ? ) in the orange robe removes the antlers .

Then the stag is carried to a group of scientists ( or vets ? ) who weigh and measure the stag before releasing it to run free on the hill again.

Kinka-zan part 3 the ceremony, setting the scene October 2015