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POOL PHOTO

Wednesday 27th August, 03:33 PM JST

The emperor and empress give milk to a calf at Kouzu Dairy Farm, Japan’s first Western-style dairy farm set up in 1887, in the town of Shimonita, Gunma Prefecture, on Wednesday. The imperial couple are currently holidaying in Karuizawa.

Latest 15 of 18 Total Comments Show All

Freespeech at 05:47 PM JST - 27th August

Ha ha ha !
franknbeans at 05:52 PM JST - 27th August

First manual labor these two have ever done.
TJrandom at 05:57 PM JST - 27th August

I believe that is a Jersey calf. The need to bottle/bucket feed it milk is becasue it has been separated from its mother. Can't figure out the white board. Any guesses on its function?
GG2141 at 06:09 PM JST - 27th August

Sneeze guard.
wanderlust at 06:29 PM JST - 27th August

memo pad holder.

reflective board to reduce shadows on their faces..

door to neighbouring cattle pen...

shelf for bottle when hand becomes tired of holding it....
ExPrinceska at 06:47 PM JST - 27th August

what does " Western-style dairy farm" mean?
cleo at 06:49 PM JST - 27th August

Poor thing, stuck in a crate separated from its mama.

I wonder if that's real milk the calf is drinking, or made-up muck?

If it's the real thing, there seems little point in putting it in a bottle. Let the little fella drink draft.

Last week I watched some little brown calves feeding directly from their big brown mamas, out in a field halfway up a mountain. Now that was kawaii.
ExPrinceska at 06:50 PM JST - 27th August

I'm pretty sure the Princess will be here shortly to comment on the cute deer.

Sarge, is this a deer or a calf? I have not seen deer milk in the supermarket. I am confused but yes, it is very cute. I pity it for the small space it has to reside in. I hope it does not end in somebody's gyudon.
tclh at 07:13 PM JST - 27th August

The emperor must be very happy and relax when doing the hand- feeding to the young animal(future's milk producer).Note that the empress doesn't mind to have her hands on rusted iron.
greensatindress at 08:16 PM JST - 27th August

I wish the Household would buy the Empress a better hair piece/wig.
bushlover at 08:24 PM JST - 27th August

Cleo, it don't matter anyway as the poor dear thing will end up on a plate in the future... mmmmmmammals!!! They taste so good so hope they are beefing it up some with fortified milk and other animal products..
Azrael at 09:29 PM JST - 27th August

Mrs Cleo, if the mother is a milking cow the calves are not allowed to drink from them to prevent bacteria natural to the process of lactating to pass onto milk humans will drink. Sadly, it's an industrial safety measure.

ExPrinceska, note the farm was the first "western" style dairy farm set up in 1887. At the time, Japan was actively importing industrial technology from Europe and the "West" in general, and Japanese did not raise cattle as it is so commonly done today. So when this farm was set up in Japan, it was "western style" and a technological advancement in the Japanese islands. This style of farm is seemingly the norm today, but in the 19th Century it was a novelty import, which is why it was important enough for the Emperor to visit based on that main reason.
OgieDoggie at 06:17 AM JST - 28th August

Thank You Azrael for the above info..we were wondering what "western" style dairy farm was..again thanks for the info!
Azrael at 01:32 PM JST - 28th August

OgieDoggie, you are welcome.
Sarge at 01:41 PM JST - 28th August

Amazing! This calf looks just like Norman in City Slickers!