The deer wandering within temple and shrine precincts in Nara are sacred messengers of the Kasuga Taisha Shrine’s deity who came to Nara riding on a white deer.

When a nobleman of the 12th century took his daughter for her first visit to temples and shrines of Nara he wrote in his diary as follows: On our way many deer appeared in the morning darkness. This is a sign from the gods and a good omen. When one encounters deer, he or she should get out of the carriage and bow to them.

Nara’s deer inspired Basho to create a haiku, when he came across a baby deer born on the very day of the Buddha's Birthday (April 8).  

kanbutsu no

hi ni umareau

kanoko kana 

   Buddha's birthday:

   on this day was born

   a little fawn