shika

deer

The deer became viewed as a messenger of the gods due to its association with the Fujiwara clan's Kasuga Shrine in Nara. In the year 767 four gods were brought to the shrine, the main one carried on the back of a white deer. The deer became the shrine's symbol and its power increased along with the power of the Fujiwara clan during the Heian period. Deer became protected at this shrine, as well as other shrines. During the feudal era, deer had their antlers removed to prevent harm to people and they also were commonly used on samurai helmets.

Nara
Shigeru Aoyama