Takeda Shika-senbei Co

Mission, Takeda shika-senbei Co(researched Feb 27th 2014)

 

 Shika-senbei=special cracker to feed the deer

 

 

 

 Have you ever fed the deer shika-senbei at the Nara Park?

 

 Today, I'll let you know a bit about "shika-senbei" and "Takeda Co"

 .

First of all, the Takeda Co is one of five shika-sendei makers in Nara city, even in all over the world.The Takeda Co is the only manufacture who allows you to see the production line. In 1917, The Kasugataishiya Shrine gave the Takeda Co a permission to produce "shika-senbei to supply.

 

2, The Takeda Co has its workplace in an old town house called "machi-ya".

 

 

 

As you can see the photo, the place is a typical old town house in Nara.

I suppose Visiting Takeda Co would be a good opportunity to experience the real "machi-ya".

 

 

 

However, "machi-ya" serves as both workplace and residence for local tradesman. Machi-ya still has notable characteristics even today.

A, the narrow, long and rectangular structure.

B, the main corridor in the building functions as the only access to the workplace and storage which are located at back.

C, "naka-niwa (inner garden) let in the light and the nature from out side.

D, "kemuri-nuki (smoke duct), the elevated roof serves as an escape duct for smoke emitted from the kitchen.

E, "akari-tori (skylight), to ventilate the ground floor, allows air to circulate as well as the sun light to enter.

 

Back in the old days, the land taxes were assessed on the width of what it appears on the road side. Due to the taxation system, long and narrow structured machi-ya was built.

 

 

 

3, the enormous shika-senbei are produced in a busy day (Spring and Autumn) 10000-15000 shika-senbei are made in a day.

60% of what they produce is supplied to the agents at the Nara Park.

The rest is supplied to the zoos in other prefectures.

 

4, the ingredients of shika-senbei.

A, water

B, flour

C, bran

 

 

As you see the above list, shika-senbei is edible. Actually, I bit one it was alright.

 

5, at the Nara Park, shika-senbei is sold in a ten bunch that tied with a peace of paper made of soy bean and potato powder to make sure to be safe for the deer in case of being eaten by mistake. Cost you ¥150 for a bunch

 

.

However, those shika-senbei at Nara Park must be sealed by the Nara Deer Preservation Society to sale.

 

Over all

Shika-senbei is very much well known across the nation. Now it's a representing thing of Nara.

 

 

After exploring the Nara Park and feeding the deer, it's a very good idea to see how shika-senbei is produced in a classic "machi-ya".

 

 

 

Bookings are essential to visit the Takeda Co. A small car park is available to

your request.

Address 2476-2 Nara-zaka Nara city Nara 630-8104

Ph & Fax 0742-22-4853

Web site is not available.

 

 

 

Conclusion

I would recommend all the wheel chair users to have a good solid assistant to vist the Takeda Co and any machi-ya. In general, old machi-ya has poor accessbility for the wheel chairs.