Horseback Archery at Samukawa-jinja Shrine

Horseback archery is called Yabusame in Japanese which is said to have started about 1,500 years ago. But the oldest description about it was found in a history book written in 1096 during the Heian Period.
I went to Samukawa-jinja Shrine with a British educator Johnny to see a horseback archery ceremory on September 19. It was a national holiday in Japan so there were full of people there. 

The course was 215 meter long and there were three targets on the same side. In the center of the picture there is a target which is the second one. The first round started with 10 archers who were given two chances respectively. 

In the Kamakura Period(1192-1333) Yoritomo Minamoto who was the founder of the Kamakura Government encouraged to practice horseback archery to enhance warrior's ability of archery.

Then, three smaller targets were prepared for the second round. For one target two plates made of pottery have been attached together. Between the plates confetto have been stuffed.  Five archers were eliminated and contested their skill at the second round.

An archer named Yoshitaka Tanaka won with his horse Heian.

Written and posted by Mitsutoshi Masunari.

Johnny at Samukawa-jinja Shrine