Miyajima, Japan [Illustrated Guide]

BRRRR-BRRRR BAAAA-BAAAA MEEEEWWWWW

IF THE TIDE IS LOW, WE SOMETIME HIDE HERE FOR SHELTER.

IT’S NICE HERE -- YOU CAN SEE THE STARS AT NIGHT.

BUT THERE’S NOT MUCH FOOD HERE. WE NEED TO HEAD TO WHERE THOSE PEOPLE ARE.

THEY DON’T BOTHER US HERE. THE MONKS EVEN BOW TO US, AND WE BOW BACK.

SOMETIMES THE ROLLING MACHINES DON’T SEE US.

IT REALLY HURTS A LOT WHEN THEY BUMP INTO US.

THEY COME OUT LESS WHEN THE SUN IS DOWN, SO WE TRY TO AVOID THEM.

IT’S HARD TO FIND FOOD IN THE CITY. SOMETIMES WHEN I’M NOT CAREFUL, THESE WHIRLING AND VROOMING SOUNDS SNEAK UP ON ME.

WHEN ONE OF US BECOMES ILL, WE ARE SENT TO THIS SMALL TURF, SURROUNDED

BY THIN UPRIGHT BRANCHES. HERE, THEY COME DAILY TO FEED US. TO BE FRANK, I MUCH PREFER THE DELICIOUS FRIED OYSTERS THAT THE TOURISTS ALWAYS EAT WHEN WALKING BY.

IN FACT, THERE IS ALWAYS THE SCENT OF FRIED OYSTERS COMING FROM THE ADJACENT SHOP.

THEY ALSO LIKE TO SHOW ME THIS FLAT ROCK. IT’S ANNOYING BECAUSE I MUCH RATHER SEE SOME FOOD.

THEY REALLY LIKE TO TOUCH US. SOMETIMES IT MESSES UP MY HAIR, OR SCRATCHED UP MY OLD WOUNDS, OR WAKES ME UP FROM A NAP.

I’LL STILL LET THEM DO IT IF THEY HAVE FOOD THOUGH.

DURING THE DAY, I LIKE TO WALK AROUND LOOKING FOR TOURISTS. IF I’M LUCKY, THEY’LL SHARE SOME FRESH MOMIJI CAKE OR FRIED OYSTER.

WHEN I’M NOT SO LUCKY, THEY’LL ONLY HAVE SOME PAPER MAPS AND FERRY TICKETS. IT’S NOT GREAT, BUT IF IT SMELLS OKAY, I’LL STILL EAT IT.

IF THERE’S A CHILD IN THE FAMILY THEY MIGHT HAVE ACCIDENTALLY SPILLED SOME JUICE ON IT! WHO KNOWS!

SIKA DEER

NOT OF THE CITY:

ANIMALS AS CRIMINALS ‘They don’t belong in the city; they are a danger to our wellbeing.’

ANIMALS AS PESTS ‘They don’t belong in the city; they are unhygenic.’

ANIMALS AS WILDERNESS ‘They belong where they are found - in the exotic, pristine nature outside of the city, not to be touched.’

ANIMALS AS WILDERNESS ‘Our city is for the rational, moral, and intelligent. There’s no place in society for the uncivilized.’

PARASITIC USEFUL DELICIOUS SOOTHING OBEDIENT ANNOYING UNSANITARY DANGEROUS AGGRESSIVE ABUNDANT MACHINE-LIKE UNINTELLIGENT UNTAMED BRUTE PURE IMMACULATE SERVANT UNCULTURED VULGAR PRIMITIVE PROFITABLE AFFECTIONATE CUTE SLY DIRTY DIM DULL THICK LABOURER LOUD UNRESTRAINED INVASIVE DISEASED CHEAP NUISANCE REVERED

OF THE CITY**:

**Terms and conditions apply.

ANIMALS AS TOOLS ‘They can have a place in the city - as long as they work for us unconditionally.’

ANIMALS AS COMPANIONS ‘They can have a place in our homes - as long as they are obedient.’

WHAT’S WRONG WITH IT?

WHAT IF YOU GET RABIES? DON’T TOUCH IT; YOU’LL GET TICKS! THAT ONE’S GOT SOME BALD PATCHES! GROSS!

THEY DON’T EVEN WANT TO PLAY. LET’S GO LOOK AT THE CUTER ONES DOWN BY THE DOCKS. COME ON.

ARE THEY STILL THERE? OH MY GOD.

DO YOU THINK WE CAN LEAVE THROUGH THE BACK DOOR?

HE’S LOOKING AT ME FUNNY! STOP!

WE SHOULD FEED THE POOR THINGS! THEY’RE STARVING!

WHAT IF THEY TRY TO COME INSIDE? OH, SHOO!

MIYAJIMA, JAPAN