also: かご
noun
Archaic word for deer or fawn. In modern Japanese, 鹿 (しか) is used instead. This form may appear in classical texts or poetry.
古い和歌に「鹿子」という言葉が見られる。
The word 鹿子 can be found in old waka poems.
「鹿子」は現代では「しか」と言う。
鹿子 is now called しか in modern Japanese.
The historical derivation is uncertain. The kanji 鹿 (deer) and 子 (child) suggest a compound meaning 'deer child' or 'fawn', but the word is archaic and its exact origin is unclear.