Pre-reading questions:
- Do you enjoy going out in the cold?
- Where do you usually go every winter?
- Have you ever witnessed a deer calling event?
Shikayose or deer-calling is a winter affair in Nara. This event takes place at 10:00 in the morning every day, this year from November 29 to December 14. During the every day event, a man blows a horn to draw deer out of the forest. The deer are then fed acorns.
Visitors can play with deer, pet them or take pictures with them. The Shikayose affair lasts for about half an hour. After that, most of the deer leave, and go back to the woods. If you are in Nara during winter time, don’t miss this awesome event in the fresh winter morning.
Vocabulary:
draw out – [verb] leave; move on
awesome – [adjective] impressive; perfect
Comprehension Questions:
- What is the event all about?
- Where is the event held?
- How are the deer encouraged to come out of the forest?
- What can visitors do with the deer?
- How long does the winter deer calling-event last every day?
Express Your Opinion:
- Talk about your most favorite winter activities or festivals.
- Humans shouldn’t try too hard to interact with wild animals.
- What purpose does a deer-calling event have?