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
| 9:30 am |
Start of practice session (to be held on the same yabusame riding course as the performance. Viewing the practice session is permitted) |
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| 11:00 am |
End of practice session |
| 1:00 pm |
Shutsujin (setting out) |
| 1:05 pm |
Shinto ritual in the main shrine |
| 1:25 pm |
Tencho chikyu no shiki (ritual for prevailing peace) |
| 1:45 pm |
Starting drum (start of equestrian activities) |
| 3:15 pm |
Ending drum (end of equestrian activities) |
| 3:20 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). |
*The above schedule is tentative and subject to change. Part of the event 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.
Types of viewing sections
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
Mishima Taisha 2-1-5, Omiyacho, Mishima-shi, Shizuoka 411-0035
● By bus:
• A 10-minute walk from Mishima Station bus stop
● By train:
• An approximately 15-minute walk from Mishima Station on the JR Tokaido Shinkansen and the Tokaido Line
• An approximately 7-minute walk from Mishima-Tamachi Station on the Izu Hakone Railway
*Please use public transportation, as roads around the venue will be crowded.
*On the day of the event, traffic will be controlled in the vicinity due to the Mishima O-Matsuri festival.
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.
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Dedicating
organization
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The Japan Equestrian Archery Association |
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| Address | 20-43 Onarimachi, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa, 248-0012 |
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post-kyuubakai @yabusame.or.jp |
