 Image search results - "falconry" |
After the aikido, falconry demonstrations were held at Hama-Rikyu Gardens on Jan. 3 as a New Year's event. (放鷹術実演) Hama-Rikyu Garden used to be where the Tokugawa shoguns and the Imperial family practiced falconry.
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There were several falconers each with his or her own hawk. They are members of a falconry preservation group. They've been holding this event for 23 years here.
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They don't use the same type of falconry birds that were used by Tokugawa shoguns. They now use Harris' hawks or red-tailed hawks imported to Japan. They are highly intelligent birds and can recognize human faces.
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Notice that falconer wears a small pouch on his waist. It contains bird food. The bird is rewarded each time it does a trick.
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Magnificent birds. The local crows were quite alarmed by the presence of these hawks.
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Falconry demo was held twice in the day. The first demo had the hawks released from the top of a nearby skyscraper and they flew down to their falconers in the garden.For the demo, they showed the hawks swoop low from one falconer to another. They also showed a live capture (kill?) of a released pigeon. Very fast.
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They allowed a few people from the audience to try falconry. This is an Italian who was lucky enough to be chosen to hold and release this hawk.
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After the demo, they showed off the hawks for photos.
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Falconry demonstrations held at Hama-Rikyu Gardens on Jan. 3 in Tokyo.
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Falconry demonstrations held at Hama-Rikyu Gardens on Jan. 3 in Tokyo.
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