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PHOTO BY DAVID WEBER

Monday 05th January, 07:18 AM JST

A hawk about to be set loose during a demonstration of Japanese traditional falconry at Hamarikyu Garden in Tokyo.

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Latest 15 of 19 Total Comments Show All

Chessnutroastin at 08:39 AM JST - 5th January

From: http://www.themodernapprentice.com/history.htm

It is known that falcons were given as presents to Chinese princes as early as 2200 BC, but these may have been for pets and not for hunting. 200 BC - Japanese records note falcons given to Chinese princes 9th century - Japanese records mark the presence of women falconers

And as cliffworks noted, it is well-noted that the Tokugawa shogunate and earlier enjoyed falconry and using birds to hunt.
Betzee at 09:15 AM JST - 5th January

And as cliffworks noted, it is well-noted that the Tokugawa shogunate and earlier enjoyed falconry and using birds to hunt.

Thank you for this information!
The_True at 09:28 AM JST - 5th January

sure!! believe everything you read in japanese history books.
Betzee at 10:03 AM JST - 5th January

sure!! believe everything you read in japanese history books.

Well here's a non-Japanese source for ya.

Though I doubt falconry will displace golf in Japan, in Saudi Arabia how a man handles his bird is said to reveal a lot about his character. Falconry plays the same social function there as golf does elsewhere.

Whatever its origins, the principles of falconry have remained largely unaltered since the first Japanese description of the training process in AD 355 (the last really big breakthrough was the introduction of the hood, brought back from the Middle East by returning crusaders).

http://www.acountrylife.com/page.php?id=11
BlackFlag at 12:28 PM JST - 5th January

my grandad wears one of those traditional japanese hats
Farmboy at 02:26 PM JST - 5th January

Nice picture!
lovemeruforever at 02:36 PM JST - 5th January

In Australia, Cairns, I watched the owl flying show at the Zoo, it was fun and I was scared because the owl was flying close. I know it is Japanese traditional one, but I have never seen this hawk show before.
ptolemy at 04:50 PM JST - 5th January

I say we ask the falcons, people are notorious for revising history. Cool picture.
Triumvere at 05:25 PM JST - 5th January

Betzee, falconty was a tradtional past-time of European noblemen for centuries; its not just the ME.

Nice picture, BTW.
Nessie at 06:53 PM JST - 5th January

Japanese traditional falconry

Why is there always this lapse of word order?
ronindave at 09:46 PM JST - 5th January

hey, this is the photographer here! I just wanted to chime in and say chestnutroastin and cliffworks are correct in that falconry in japan goes way back. Falconry was one of Tokugawa Ieyasu favorite sports and the earliest written account is in the Nihon Shoki (early 8th Century) which claims falconry goes back to the Fourth Century. while that might be debatable, it's obvious that by the 8th century at least, falconry was a well established custom in Japan.
BlackFlag at 11:56 PM JST - 5th January

nice photo ronindave, send in more
Betzee at 12:10 AM JST - 6th January

Betzee, falconty was a tradtional past-time of European noblemen for centuries; its not just the ME.

I didn't mean to imply otherwise. Only that in the desert, falcons are crucial to human survival owing to their hunting prowess.
Goldenhayabusa at 11:15 AM JST - 26th May

Well, There are great evidences like Ancient Excavated Materials from Japan suggests that possibly "The Falconry" has been already practiced that since 6th century in Japan.

See the some pictures of tangible excavated proofs

http://www.kintetsu.jp/kouhou/yamato/collection/img/shozouhin/20.jpg http://www12.wind.ne.jp/tomohm/htm/kodai_001.html http://ncjf.sakura.ne.jp/tangiblelist-e.htm see ya!
Goldenhayabusa at 11:18 AM JST - 26th May

it's from 6th centry in Japan http://ncjf.sakura.ne.jp/tangiblelist-e.htm http://www.kintetsu.jp/kouhou/yamato/collection/img/shozouhin/20.jpg http://www12.wind.ne.jp/tomohm/htm/kodai_001.html