Participation in Expo 2025
Osaka, Kansai, Japan
Prior to the opening of Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai, a special yabusame and kasagake ceremony was performed a total of four times at the Matsuri Expo Arena within the Expo venue over two days, April 5 and 6, 2025, to pray for the safe holding and success of the Osaka Kansai Expo. Conducted as a precursor to the events to be held at the Osaka Kansai Expo, the occasion was a great success. A total of approximately 12,000 spectators attended during the two days. The third performance (which started at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 6, 2025) was prefaced with a ceremony officiated by priests of Kamo Wakeikazuchi Jinja (Kamigamo Shrine) to pray for the safe holding and success of the Expo.
About yabusame
Yabusame is a Shinto ritual where archers shoot at three targets to their left from galloping horses. This event is distinct in that it is dedicated to the gods, as the archers do not just compete over their martial skills but pray for universal peace, a rich harvest, and people’s health as they shoot. Shooting arrows from a galloping horse is called kisha. There are three forms of kisha, namely yabusame, kasagake, and inu-ou-mono. Among these, yabusame is regarded as special, given that it is a sacred ritual.
The length of the yabusame riding course and distance between targets remain unchanged from the Kamakura period. However, many of the horses used in the ritual today are of western breeds and are bigger and faster than Japanese breeds, making it harder to hit the targets. Of particular note might be the intensity of yabusame and the archers’ technique attained through hard training.
Time scheduleJapan time
| 9:15 am |
Start of practice session |
|---|---|
| 10:45 am |
End of practice session |
| 12:30 pm |
Shutsujin (setting out) |
| 12:40 pm |
Shinto ritual in the main shrine |
| 12:55 pm |
End of Shinto ritual (archers enter the riding ground on horseback) |
| 1:10 pm |
Tencho chikyu no shiki (ritual for prevailing peace) |
| 1:15 pm |
Starting drum (start of equestrian activities) |
| 2:50 pm |
Ending drum (end of equestrian activities) |
| 2:55 pm |
Gaijin no shiki (victory ceremony): The achievements of the archer who performed best are inspected (the ritual is also a metaphor for inspecting the exterminated evil spirits) |
| 3:10 pm |
Meet-and-greet with the archers |
* Consecutive English interpretation will be offered.
* The above schedule is tentative and subject to change. Part of the program may be omitted depending on the weather.
Highlights
Tachisukashi
Tachisukashi is a technique unique to the equestrian art (horsemanship) of Japan, enabling the archer to accurately aim at targets from a galloping horse.
Archers ride horses by stepping down hard on the stirrups and keeping their hips a paper-thin distance above the saddle, without pressing against the horses’ body with their legs.
This is the ultimate technique for maintaining a stable posture without the up-and-down movements from the galloping horse.
Shooting method
The archers will use yundeyoko, the style of shooting directly to the left, and shoot three arrows consecutively from the galloping horses.
How to view
Viewing the event is free of charge (standing only)
*Reservations not available.
*As only a limited number of persons can enter the premises, admission may be restricted if capacity is reached.
Directions
Meiji Jingu shrine
1-1 Yoyogi Kamizono-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-8557
- 3-minute walk from Sangubashi Station on Odakyu Line
- 1-minute walk from Harajuku Station on JR Yamanote Line
- 1-minute walk from Meiji-jingumae Station on Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line and Fukutoshin Line
- 5-minute walk from Yoyogi Station on JR Yamanote Line, JR Sobu Line, and Toei Oedo Line
- 5-minute walk from Kita-sando Station on Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line
*Please use public transportation, as roads around the venue will be crowded.
*The special riding ground for yabusame is situated along the west approach (Nishi Sando) to the shrine. It is most convenient to enter the shrine grounds from the Sangubashi Entrance located near the venue. (Entry from other entrances takes about 10 minutes on foot.)
Inquiries
Our goals are to promote and develop the Japanese horseback archery that originated in the Kamakura period, contribute to the advancement of Japan’s traditional culture through practical education in classical equestrian arts, and foster international goodwill through equestrian culture.
|
Name of
organization
|
The Japan Equestrian Archery Association |
|---|---|
| Address | 20-43 Onarimachi, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa, 248-0012 |
|
post-kyuubakai @yabusame.or.jp |