1.
deer
A hoofed mammal with antlers (in males). Deer are common in Japan and are famously tame in places like Nara.
鹿 refers to deer. Also pronounced 鹿 in some compounds.
Common expressions:
- 鹿せんべい (deer crackers - sold in Nara for feeding deer)
- 鹿の角 (deer antler)
- 馬鹿 (fool - uses the kanji for horse and deer)
- 鹿肉 (venison)
Cultural note:
The deer of 奈良 are famous worldwide and considered sacred as messengers of the gods of 春日大社. They roam freely in Nara Park and bow to visitors for crackers. Miyajima's Itsukushima Shrine also has free-roaming deer. In other areas, deer overpopulation causes agricultural damage.