What is an Antler Helmet!?


Let me introduce a blog post from my favorite Japanese blog. The topic was about ‘a helmet’ displayed at Asahiyama Zoo.

Asahiyama Zoo is one of the most famous zoos in Japan, along with Ueno zoo in Tokyo. Asahiyama Zoo is located in Hokkaido, but there are a lot of people visit Hokkaido only to visit the zoo from Tokyo or Osaka.

 

helmet

This is the helmet. It is ‘an antler full face helmet’.
People used queue up to take souvenir pictures wearing the helmet.
(Since this picture was taken 2 years ago, I am not sure if the helmet is still displayed now.)

 

helmet

They made the helmet by using the antlers fell off from Haruo, a deer.
According to the description, deer’s antlers fall off in spring and start growing again,
and by the fall, they will be full-grown.
In the fall, male deer use the full-grown antlers for fighting (during a mating season)

 

helmet

As the antlers becomes full-grown, male deer become cocky.
I found out about it for the first time.

 

By the way, I warn you that you cannot ride around in Japan wearing this helmet. ^_^

 

Source: Daily Portal Z

 

This is JAPAN Style!