is a

yuru-chara is a Japanese term for a category of mascot characters; usually created to promote a place or region, event, organisation or business. They are characterized by their ''kawaii'' (cute) and unsophisticated designs, often incorporating motifs that ...

mascot A mascot is any human, animal, or object thought to bring luck, or anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name. Mascots are also used as fic ...

created by

Nara The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is an " independent federal agency of the United States government within the executive branch", charged with the preservation and documentation of government and historical records. It ...

City Office to commemorate the 1300th anniversary of Nara

Heijō-kyō was the Capital of Japan during most of the Nara period, from 710 to 740 and again from 745 to 784. The imperial palace is a listed UNESCO World Heritage together with other places in the city of Nara (cf. Historic Monuments of Ancient ...

, the ancient capital of Japan, in 2010. The city of Nara has a long tradition of adopting guardian deities such as Nio (a pair of temple guardians),

Asura Asuras (Sanskrit: असुर) are a class of beings in Indic religions. They are described as power-seeking clans related to the more benevolent Devas (also known as Suras) in Hinduism. In its Buddhist context, the word is sometimes translated ...

, Jūni Shinshō ( Twelve Heavenly Generals) and Shitenno (Four Guardian Kings). The new mascot was chosen by the city office to inherit their mission, and as a "personification of the energy" of the ancient capital dotted with temples, gardens and shrines. Sento-kun is meant to resemble an amiable young boy who has the antlers of a deer, an animal which has long been regarded as a heavenly protector of the city.

Character design

The character was designed by

Satoshi Yabuuchi is a generally masculine Japanese given name. Possible writings *哲, "intelligent, philosophy, clear" *悟, "bodhi, enlightenment, apprehension" *敏, "quick, sharp" *智, "knowledge, wisdom" *聡, "intelligent, clever, bright" *慧, "bright ...

, a sculptor and professor at

University of Tokyo , abbreviated as or UTokyo, is a public research university located in Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan. Established in 1877, the university was the first Imperial University and is currently a Top Type university of the Top Global University Project by ...

, who was one of twelve guest designers invited by the Association for Commemorative Events of the 1300th Anniversary of the Nara-Heijyokyo Capital. The name Sento-kun was selected out of over 14,000 public applicants by the association of the event on April 15, 2008. Ever since the announcement of the official mascot character in February 2008, many media and religious groups have expressed

Official character profile

* Name: Sento-kun * Birthday: February 12, 2008 * Personality: Sento-kun is very active, always full of vigor, and good at acquiring wisdom for tomorrow from old knowledge. Also, he is curious about all things and quite playful. * Special Skills: taking 12 trademark poses, he is fluent in every language on earth, good at imparting his energy to others around him. * Favorite Food: foods of Nara * Favorite Place: any places historical and benevolent in Nara

References

External links

Nara prefecture

Sento-kun's profile
{{Yuru-chara Culture in Nara Prefecture Japanese mascots Mascots introduced in 2010