Standing in the Forest: The Quiet Poem of the Japanese Serow
Something that stands in the forest - the quiet poetry of the Japanese serow
On a foggy mountain morning, a shadow stands as if blending into the rock face.
His eyes are filled with the tranquil morning light that has been gazing at this forest for hundreds of years.
The Japanese serow is a solitary herbivore that lives only on the Japanese archipelago.
Its appearance is like that of a mountain spirit, clinging to the passage of time.
A quiet inhabitant of the bovid family found only in Japan
The Japanese serow (Capricornis Chrisus) is a species of the Bovidae family that is endemic to Japan.
They live in the mountains of Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu, and prefer to live on forested slopes and rocky areas.
Their coat color changes from black to gray depending on the season, and in winter their fluffy coat stands out against the snow.
The horns are short and curved backwards, and although both sexes are found together, it is difficult to tell them apart.
Although it has the name "deer," it actually looks more like a cow or a goat.
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From mythical creature to cultural symbol
From the Meiji period to the early Showa period, the Japanese serow population drastically decreased due to hunting for fur, meat, and horns.
It disappeared so much that it was called a "phantom animal" and survived quietly deep in the mountains.
In 1934, it was designated a national natural monument.
In 1955, it was designated a "Special Natural Monument," hunting was completely banned, and protection efforts were promoted.
Since then, the population has recovered and they can now be seen even at the foot of the mountain.
It is known as the prefectural animal of Toyama Prefecture and is kept in local museums and zoos.
The presence quietly speaks to us as we consider the coexistence of nature and humans.
From WABISUKE's Perspective - The Intersection of Poetry and Life
The Japanese serow teaches us the beauty of tranquility, not splendor.
The appearance is like a mirror that reflects the changing seasons
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At WABISUKE, we would like to introduce this quiet life as the "Poem of the Forest."