Microseason: Pheasants Begin to Sing

WINTER

FIRST CHILL

PHEASANTS BEGIN TO SING

15 - 19 January

Pheasants are native to Japan, and a commonly seen character in folklore and children's songs. The female pheasant is generally modest in appearance. While males flash a vibrant red coloring around their eyes, and ornate colorful feathers.

Pheasants are often leveraged as a personification of bravery and parental love. Brave enough to take down large ogres, and loving enough to sacrifice themselves in times of field fires to protect their young, makes pheasants Japan's national bird.

The most widely known and beloved folk stories is Momotaro. The tale of a heroic boy born out of a large peach floating down the river. Raised by the eldery couple who finds the peach, he goes on to defeat the oni, a brute ogre spirit, to protect his village. Along his journey, he befriends a dog, monkey, and pheasant, who assist him in his quest.

Here too, the pheasant is depicted as brave and clever, often flying ahead for intel on oni and reporting back to Momotaro. The pheasant also plays a role in the battle, pecking at the oni and greatly aiding in their collective victory.

Photo credit: Wild Bird Society of Japan, International Japanese Culture Research Center