Shizuoka’s New Baby Red Panda Is Getting a Ridiculous Name, and You Can Help Choose It
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This adorable red panda will be getting an appropriately silly name, but which one will it be?
On the 4th of August 2021, a healthy baby was born to red panda parents Kazu and Niko, who live together at the Nihondaira Zoo, in Shizuoka Prefecture. Born covered in pure white fur, over the past three months the tiny red panda has grown to 1.8 kg and 45 cm long, and he's begun to develop the iconic orangy-brown and black fur that gives red pandas their name. Now, all this tiny panda needs to enter the world with a strong start is one thing: a good name.
Fortunately, Nihondaira Zoo is taking this whole name thing pretty seriously. Over the past three months, the zoo has come up with five potential contenders for the new baby's name, and from November 9th to the 28th, they're letting the general public vote and decide on a winner.
Just what kind of names do we have to choose from? The five names vary pretty wildly, and each has a unique story behind it, representing different hopes and dreams that the zoo has for this little red panda that's just starting its journey. Here are the options.
➊ Kazunoko (かずのこ)
Why Kazunoko? Because the baby's father's name is Kazu, and "Kazunoko" literally translates to "child of Kazu." But also, kazunoko (数の子) is the Japanese word for a kind of fish eggs traditionally eaten on New Year's Day, and the dish is a symbol of good luck when it comes to the future of your descendants. The name would be a tribute to the many zoos working to protect future generations of animals.
❷ Smile (スマイル)
Why Smile? Because the baby's mother's name is "Niko," which can mean "smile" in Japanese! But it's also in hopes that this red panda will bring big smiles to lots of faces in the years to come.
❸ Tuna (ツナ)
Why Tuna? Because Shizuoka boasts some of the best tuna in Japan, and just like Shizuoka's delicious tuna, they hope that this baby will also be loved by many, and even become a representative of Shizuoka.
❹ Aaron (アロン)
Why Aaron? The name comes from one of this year's gold medalists, Japanese judoka Aaron Wolf ー in hopes that just like this world champion, the little red panda will grow up big and strong!
❺ Makura (まくら)
Why Makura? Makura literally means "pillow." As a newborn, this red panda baby was a great sleeper, and the name symbolizes the hope that he'll continue to sleep deep, and grow up healthy and sound!
After hearing the explanations, each name seems a little less ridiculous than it might at first glance, but there's no way around it ー the names are pretty silly. Can you imagine hearing "Pillow! Pillow, come get your dinner!" while hanging around the red panda enclosure, or even "Smile, get down from there!" from a zookeeper? Food names are common enough, but skipping "Cinnamon" and heading straight for fish eggs and sashimi is certainly a novel approach! And Aaron is, well, an awfully human name for the adorable ball of fur and energy that this little red panda is becoming.
In the end, though, all of them are fitting names with plenty of good hopes and wishes behind them! Voting will take place over the next few weeks, and zoo visitors will be able to scan a QR code to vote for their favorite name of the bunch. Whichever name this little panda is given, we hope it guides him to a happy life of climbing and many lazy naps in the trees.
For more info and updates from Japan, check Japankuru for new articles, and don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook!
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NAME:Shizuoka Municipal Nihondaira Zoo (静岡市立日本平動物園)
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Nara Prefecture's important history reaches back to 710, a time now called the Nara era, when it was once capital of Japan. Called "Heijo-kyo" during its time as a capital, it's said that nara was once the end of the silk road, leading it to flourish as a uniquely international region and produce important cultural properties of all kinds. To make the most of each season, travelers head to Nara Park, where the Nara deer who wander freely, or climb Mount Yoshino, a famous cherry blossom spot.
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Osaka is known for friendly (and funny) people, but its history is nothing to laugh at, playing a major part in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's 16th century unification of Japan. Thanks to long years of economic activity, it's one of Japan's biggest cities, and Osaka's popular food culture earned it the nickname "The Kitchen of the Nation." To this day Osaka is the model of western Japan, and alongside historic structures like Osaka Castle, it also has major shopping malls like Umeda's Grand Front Osaka and Tennoji's Abeno Harukas. Osaka is a place to eat, eat, eat, with local specialties like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushi-katsu, and for extra fun, it's home to Universal Studios Japan.
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The Chugoku Region (中国地方) consists of five prefectures: Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori, and Yamaguchi. In Chugoku you’ll find the sand dunes of Tottori, and Hiroshima’s atomic bomb site, plus centers of ancient history like Grand Shrine of Izumo.
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Hiroshima Prefecture has everything, from world heritage sites to beautiful nature and delicious local cuisine, and it's either an hour and a half from Tokyo by plane, or four hours by train. Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island and the Atomic Bomb Dome, two Hiroshima UNESCO sites, are famous around the world, but in Japan it's also famous for food. Seafood from the Seto Inland Sea, especially oysters, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, and Setouchi lemons are all popular, and the natural scenery alone is worth seeing.
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On the other side of the Seto Inland Sea opposite Japan’s main island, Shikoku (四国) is a region made up of four prefectures: Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, and Tokushima. The area is famous for its udon (in Kagawa), and the beautiful Dogo Onsen hot springs (in Ehime).
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KYUSHU
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Located in the most southwestern part of Japan, Kyushu (九州) is an island of 7 prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. The island's unique culture has been influenced by Chinese and Dutch trade, along with missionaries coming in through Nagasaki's port. Modern-day travelers love the lush natural scenery and fresh food, plus the natural hot springs found all throughout the area (thanks to volcanic activity)!
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FUKUOKA
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Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.
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KAGOSHIMA
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Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.
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OKINAWA
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The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.
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