[Time Travel in Kanagawa] Autumn Traditional Performing Arts 2023 Yabusame
"Yabusame" is a martial art that has been passed down to the present day, where people shoot arrows at a target from a galloping horse. Spectators are enchanted by the magnificent and heroic figure that combines the art of riding a horse with the art of traditional Japanese archery. In this article, we will introduce three examples of Yabusame in Kanagawa Prefecture that are also worth checking out as religious ceremonies.
The Yabusame ritual at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine has continued since the Kamakura period
On September 16, 2023, the traditional "Yabusame Ritual" of the autumn festival was held for the first time in four years at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, located in the heart of the ancient city of Kamakura.
For samurai, the skill of shooting a bow while riding a horse at full speed was essential. During the Kamakura period, Minamoto no Yoritomo encouraged people to train in martial arts through Yabusame, and this established mounted archery as a samurai tradition. Furthermore, it is said that praying for peace and tranquility in the country and allowing vassals to demonstrate their archery and horseback skills in front of the shrine and large crowds at a major annual event enhanced the samurai's spiritual strength and faith.
An essential part of the annual festival of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, which is held over three days starting on September 14th every year, is the Yabusame ritual held on the final day. Dressed in hunting attire reminiscent of Kamakura samurai, the head of the Ogasawara School of Horseback Archery, which has an 800-year-old tradition, performs the ritual while the crowds watch.
The length of the riding ground is about 250 meters, and three targets made of cedar boards measuring 55 cm square are set up between 1.8 meter high green bamboo. The power and breathing of the horses galloping briskly across the riding ground, and the skill of the archers who hit the three targets with beautiful movements in accordance with the traditional Ogasawara style are must-sees.
[Tsuruoka Hachimangu Shrine Yabusame Ritual]
Date and time: Saturday, September 16, 2023, 13:00-16:00 *Finished
Venue: Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine (grounds) [2-1-31 Yukinoshita, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture]
・Website here
Yabusame Ritual at Samukawa Shrine: Praying for peace and bountiful harvests
An archer in beautiful hunting attire and with a bow and arrow in hand is riding on horseback at a normal trot.
The Yabusame ritual was also held at Samukawa Shrine, the only shrine in Japan that is home to the guardian deity of protection from evil in all directions and is known as the Ichinomiya of Sagami Province. We will introduce the Yabusame ritual that was held on September 19, 2023, the day before the annual festival, to pray for peace and bountiful harvests.
Samukawa Shrine is a 5-minute walk from Miyayama Station on the JR Sagami Line, located between Ebina and Chigasaki, close to the Sagami River.
Source: Samukawa Shrine - YouTube Channel [Samukawa Shrine] Samukawa Shrine from the sky in 2023
Yabusame, which is performed as an offering or prayer to the gods, consists of a series of steps: "Shinto ritual, horse archery, and another Shinto ritual." First, the mind and body of those participating in the ritual are purified, followed by the horse arena where the horse archery will take place.
In preparation for the horse archery event, a priest walks around purifying the riding ground.
This also has a long history, with records showing it was held in the Kamakura period. It was passed down for generations by a family called "Batayu", who was in charge of the yabusame ritual, but it is currently dedicated by the Takeda school's Dai-Nippon Kyuma-Kai Public Interest Incorporated Association. The priests themselves serve as archers.
An archer and horse walking in the riding arena prior to mounted archery.
Not only is it a spectacular and valiant event, but the silence is also a highlight. The emphasis is on shooting the arrow at the target, rather than hitting the target.
The archer shoots at a target placed to the left side while on a galloping horse.
[Samukawa Shrine Yabusame Ritual]
Date and time: Tuesday, September 19, 2023, 14:00 onwards *Ended
Venue: Samukawa Shrine (the riding ground on the west side of the main hall) [3916 Miyayama, Samukawa-cho, Koza-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture]
・Website here
There's still time! Yabusame in November
On November 3, 2023, the Muro Shrine Yabusame, an intangible folk cultural property designated by Kanagawa Prefecture, will be held at the annual festival of Muro Shrine in Yamakita Town.
Its origin is said to come from a historical story ("Shinpen Sagami no Kuni Fudokigo", "Azuma Kagami") in which Kawamura Yoshihide, who sided with the Taira clan during Minamoto no Yoritomo's uprising at Ishibashiyama, had his territory confiscated and was about to be executed by beheading, was spared the punishment thanks to his superb skills in yabusame (horseback archery) performed in Kamakura, and was thus able to return to his former territory.
The "Yabusame of Muro Shrine" is said to have been going on for over 800 years. Why not come and experience the history for yourself at the venue?
[Muro Shrine Yabusame]
・Date and time: November 3, 2023 (Friday/Holiday)
14:00~ Cantering in the arena, 14:20~ Yabusame start ceremony, 14:30~ Entering the arena ceremony,
14:50~ Ablution Ceremony, 15:00~ Yabusame Ceremony
・Venue Muro Shrine [1200 Yamakita, Yamakita-cho, Ashigarakami-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture]
・Website here
Text by Mai Shimura (editor/writer)
