Day 52

May 22nd

	Today, I’m going to be getting a glimpse from home. Although, the reminiscent glance isn’t in the form of a landmark. Rather, it’s going to be in the form of deer. Yes, deer.  Like the wooded shelterbelts back home, Nara is infamous for housing thousands of wild deer.  The difference is in how we preserve that population of deer.

As you already know, deer hunting is a crucial part of our ecosystem back home.  Overpopulation, famine, and disease amongst the deer population can damage many things.  Aside from crops, entire habitats could be altered by an abundance of deer. For that reason, my state has seasons to hunt them.  

To hunt for a specific species of deer, it’s required that the hunter obtains a tag from the state, proving that they are eligible to hunt such creatures. The number of tags is based on the number of deer estimated to be in the area, ensuring that a healthy balance of elimination (and preservation) of deer is carried out. It may sound like a convoluted process to the outsider, but for people like me, it’s part of maintaining our local ecosystem.  

With that said, I’m curious to get a close-up look at the deer that call Nara home and how local wildlife officials preserve these creatures.  According to the GPS, Nara park is roughly a half-hour ride east from Osaka.  I hope that the pungent scent of Takoyaki is off of my clothes, as I’ve heard that the deer get a bit aggressive when they’re hungry.  

Upon entering the park, I see a sprawled-out space, filled with cherry blossoms. Along this stretch of land are one of Japan’s most iconic temples (Todaiji) and a museum.  While I’m sure there’s plenty of fascinating facts laid within those grounds, I want to see these deer up close. Within seconds of leaving the DZed, I am immersed in a cracker-laden field filled with deer.  

I soon realized that it’s common for visitors to feed the deer, with crackers being the snack of choice.  Local vendors are well aware of this, as many of them are positioned around the park and sell their flavor of crackers.  In exchange for a few hundred yen, I find myself with a handful of these salty snacks.  It didn't take long for deer to flock to me, as several strutted through the park and nodded for my approval.

To my amazement, some of the deer even bowed for approval.  I’ve been told that this happens during the feeding process, but I didn't want to believe in it (as it seemed too far-fetched). One by one, I allowed deer to nibble crackers from my hand.  In a moment of exchange, it was easy to see the all too eager appreciation in their eyes.  The exchange was primal but sincere. 

I couldn’t help but stand puzzled in my awe at these animals.  Despite their free-roaming nature, they seem to be conditioned to thrive within urban quarters. This breed of deer has long been considered sacred in the country, with many referring to them as “messengers for the gods”.  The context behind that meaning is a bit vague, to me, but it’s clear that the locals idolize these deer as if they were a long-standing temple.

Speaking of which, Nara Park also houses one of Japan’s most important Temples. Built-in 752, Todaiji Temple was a symbol for all Buddhist Temples in the country. It also has a significant meaning in the history of Japan, as this Temple was also built when Nara was considered the Capital of the country.  

Today, it lays claim to having one of the largest Buddhist statues in the world (over 40 feet) and has one odd hallmark.  From what I understand, there’s a pillar near the statue. No, that’s not the weird part. What’s weird about that is there’s a hole in the pillar that’s the size of the statue’s nostrils.  According to local legend, anybody that can get through this hole in the pillar is to be given “enlightenment” for their next life.  Yeah, everything I just typed didn’t make sense to me, either.  

Regardless, this park is a nice deviation from the ones I’ve visited in the past. Not only is their history celebrated, but the mythology behind the country’s culture here is still relevant. Everything from the deer admiration to temple adoration is a homage to how life in ancient Japan was viewed, by the locals.  

After spending most of the day around the park, I unloaded the rest of the stale crackers onto the park soil and fired up the DZed.  While navigating the roads back to Osaka, I couldn’t help but wonder what you have planned for me tomorrow. The concept of this “special meeting” has raked over my consciousness for the last few days. Like an intricate puzzle, I continue to be stumped as to why you would arrange something important like this for me on this trip. 

These persistent thoughts continue to run about my mind, well into the evening hours.  No amount of street food, live music, or wild deer could take my mind off of this inconspicuous meeting of the minds.  

With the hours counting down until this event, I tucked myself back into the pod and tried to count deer to fall asleep.  With each passing moment, another layer of this mystery seems to be added.  Perhaps the answer to this is so obvious, that I’m overthinking it.  I’ve been one to overanalyze everything, so I’m sure this meeting is not nearly as important as it implies.  

Time will tell but I know that your text instructions will be presented first thing in the morning, so the clues will begin to unravel soon.  Until then, this is the end of this entry. And my magical day with the deer.  Bring on the mystery and unknown of tomorrow!

Thanks and I’ll see you soon!

-Ayden