Check out these articles
-
Video article 8:47
Kyudo - Traditional Japanese Archery. One Female Archer Shares Her Passion for the Martial Art Used as Both Physical and Mental Training!
SportsCelebrities- 7.59K plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 3:37
Spend a Relaxing Time in Kamakura, Kanagawa. One of the Most Popular Tourist Spots in the Kanto Region, Kamakura Has Natural Landscapes, History, Culture, and Food to Give You a Satisfying Trip!
Local PR- 20 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 6:40
Easy-To-Make Origami Cranes That Both Kids and Adults Can Enjoy! Origami Is a Japanese Art That Turns Squares of Paper Into Beautiful 3D Works of Art!
Traditional CultureThings to DoHistory- 175 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 6:03
Okinawan Bullfighting - Experience a Fierce Battle Between 2 Beasts in Uruma, Okinawa!
Traditional CultureTravel- 158 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 4:38
Japan's Ancient Yokai - Learn About the Ghosts and Other Monsters and Their Importance in Japanese Culture!
TravelThings to DoTraditional CultureHistory- 23 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 2:16
Kofu City, Where the Warlord Takeda Shingen Is Still Well Known and Loved by the Local People! Celebrating the 500th Anniversary of Its Founding!
Local PR- 28 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 10:07
Sukiya Carpentry Is a Traditional Craft That Has Been Passed Down From Generation to Generation in Japan. A Look at Sukiya Carpentry and the Thoughts of Master Carpenters!
Traditional CultureArt & ArchitectureTraditional Crafts- 281 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 4:45
A 1,200-Year-Old Event to Welcome Spring at Todaiji Temple! See Sparks Flying at This Traditional Event at the Most Famous Temple in Nara, Japan!
Festivals & EventsTraditional CultureTravel- 54 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 4:45
Experience a Traditional Japanese Wedding Ceremony With the "Wedding Boat" of the Suigo Itako Iris Festival, in Itako, Ibaraki! The Bride Wearing a Pure White Dress Is as Beautiful as an Iris!
Traditional CultureHistoryFestivals & Events- 190 plays
- YouTube
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine – Traditional Japanese Archery in Kanagawa, Japan!
Yabusame at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine: Video Introduction
This video, titled "Yabusame Horseback Archery 20 Shots|Kamakura 2019" (鎌倉 鶴岡八幡宮 流鏑馬 20連発 Yabusame Horseback Archery 20 shots Kamakura 2019), was uploaded by "keity."
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is located in Kamakura, Kanagawa. Yabusame (traditional Japanese horseback Archery) is a Shinto ritual of the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine Festival in which archers dressed in traditional hunting attire shoot at targets while controlling their aim from horseback.
The video begins with the yabusame ritual and shows the archers shooting arrows called "kabura-ya" which whistle when loosed. Accurately shooting the arrows from horseback at high speed requires the archer be incredibly skilled.
Check out the video to see the awesome footage of the archers performing on horseback.
The History of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
The history of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine dates back to 1063, when Minamoto no Yoriyoshi, the ancestor of Minamoto no Yoritomo, who founded the Kamakura shogunate, moved Ishimizu Hachimangu Shrine from Kyoto. Yoriyoshi was a devout worshipper of Ishimizu Hachimangu Shrine and enshrined the Shinto deity Hachiman as the Minamoto Clan deity near Yuhigahama beach in Kamakura.
Later, Minamoto no Yoritomo returned the shrine to its present location on Kyoto and laid the foundations for Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.
In 1180, Minamoto no Yoritomo established the first samurai government, the Kamakura Shogunate, in Kamakura, and in the same year, he moved the Hachimangu Shrine, which was associated with his ancestors, to its present location.
The shrine was revered as the guardian deity of the Shogunate, Kamakura, and the eastern provinces of Japan.
Additionally, the shrine hosted, and continues to host, a number of festivals that were important to the shogunate, including life release ceremonies, yabusame, sumo wrestling, and bugaku (traditional Japanese court music and dance), all of which have been handed down to the present day.
One of the most famous historical events at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is the assassination of Minamoto no Sanetomo, which happened on the large stairway leading up to the shrine. When you visit the shrine, you can climb up the very same stairs the assassination took place on.
What is Yabusame? The History of Japan's Traditional Archery
Yabusame, the ancient Japanese art of horseback archery, has a long history, dating back to the 6th century during the reign of Emperor Kinmei. It's said to have started as a ritual in which three targets were shot from horseback at Usa Jingu Shrine in Oita Prefecture in honor of Empress Jingu and Emperor Ojin. Yabusame (流鏑馬) means "to ride a horse while shooting arrows."
Yabusame at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is a traditional event with more than 800 years of history. It's said that it started when Minamoto no Yoritomo performed yabusame in 1187 at a life release at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine to pray for peace and prosperity in Japan.
Encouraged by Yoritomo, Yabusame was an essential Shinto ritual for warriors to improve their skills and to show the quality and hardiness of warriors in the Kamakura period.
There are two schools of yabusame. Minamoto no Tsunemoto, the founder of the Seiwa Genji branch of the Minamoto clan, handed down the tradition to Minamoto no Yoshimitsu, and from there it was passed on to the Takeda and Ogasawara clans. As a result, there are two schools of yabusame: the Takeda School and the Ogasawara School. Yabusame archery performed at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is of the Ogasawara style.
Yabusame is performed at Shinto rituals and festivals all over Japan, and you can enjoy seeing the differences between the two schools by going to events in other areas.
The Top 3 Yabusame Events in Japan
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine in Oita Prefecture, Nyakuichioji Shrine in Nagano Prefecture, and Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto Prefecture are collectively considered to host the three best Yabusame events in Japan. Here, we'll explain a bit about yabusame at Nyakuichioji Shrine and Shimogamo Shrine.
●Yabusame at Nyakuichioji Shrine, Nagano Prefecture
The Yabusame ritual at Nyakuichioji Shrine is held during the annual festival. What makes this ritual unique is that the archers are children. They put on makeup and wear traditional archer attire, parade through the town, and perform yabusame at the shrine to celebrate a good harvest.
●Yabusame at Shimogamo Shrine, Kyoto Prefecture
The yabusame ritual at Shimogamo Shrine is held as a precursor to Kyoto's famous Aoi Matsuri. Shimogamo Shrine has the longest history of yabusame rituals among the three shrines, dating back to circa 457 according to the Nihon Shoki. What makes this event unique is that while the other two are performed in warrior costumes, the yabusame ceremony at Shimogamo Shrine is performed in traditional court noble attire.
Highlights of the Yabusame Ritual at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
The highlight of yabusame at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is the garbs worn by the archers. They wear traditional hunting costumes worn by samurai during the Kamakura period (1185-1333), and wear unique hats called "ayaigasa," which are made of rush woven into twill and covered with cloth. They wear jackets called "hitatare" and carry a sword at their waist, which gives them a dignified appearance.
One of the highlights of the yabusame is the distinctive yell of the archer as he runs his horse. When the archer shoots an arrow while running his horse, he shouts "in, yo, i." This represents the Japanese words for "yin, yang, and arrow," and is attributed to Onmyodo, or "The Way of Yin and Yang," which was incorporated into the teachings of the samurai during the Kamakura period. Nagakiyo Ogasawara, the founder of the Ogasawara School of yabusame, was also a samurai in the Kamakura period.
Even more than the shouts though, is the sound the arrow makes when it strikes its target. Be sure to check out the video to see the skill that samurai warriors would have used on the battlefield when fighting for their lives.
Schedule and Location Information for the 2023 Yabusame Event at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
The yabusame ritual at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is usually held on the same day as the annual festival on September 16 and during a festival in October. That being said, the 2022 event was cancelled due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. Currently, no information regarding the schedule for the 2023 yabusame event has been announced on the shrine's website. However, since there are no longer any restrictions on activities, there is a strong possibility that the event will be held this year, so we're optimistic that the event will be held this year.
After leaving the entrance of the shrine office of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, a ritual will be held at the lower worship hall, followed by a small parade welcoming the archers and their horses. After that, the archers, dressed in magnificent traditional hunting attire, will perform the yabusame ritual.
Summary of Yabusame at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
Yabusame, performed as a ritual event during Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine's annual festival, is a rare opportunity to see magnificent costumes, traditional Japanese martial arts, and splendid horsemanship and archery.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine offers blessings for luck in victory, work, and success in life, as well as for easy childbirth and marriage, so consider having a quick prayer if you visit the shrine for the yabusame ritual.
Also, be sure to see the portable shrine procession at the Shinkosai Festival held after the regular festival, and the dance performed by miko (shrine maidens) wearing traditional garbs.
Yabusame events are a great opportunity to see the skills of warriors that have been handed down since the Kamakura period. We hope you will be able to witness this spectacular ritual that has been handed down for hundreds of years.
【Official Website】Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
【TripAdvisor】Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
AccessMap (Google Maps)
-
Video article 15:20
The Most Dangerous Festival in Japan? Osaka's Danjiri Festival Is Full of Unexpected Events and Accidents! Toppling Over Sideways, Crashing, Falling Over... It's a Thrilling Event You Won’t Want to Miss!
Festivals & Events- 6.34K plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 4:48
A Powerful Display of Traditional Japanese Archery! During the Warring States Period of Japan, Satsuma Heki-Ryu Koshiya Kumiyumi’s Historical Martial Art Was as Successful as Guns on the Battlefield!
Festivals & Events History- 850 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 22:24
Hachioji Festival 2023 – A Guide to the Summer Festival on August 4, 5, and 6 in Western Tokyo!
Festivals & Events Traditional Culture Things to Do- 146 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 13:03
The Toba Fire Festival – The Most Dangerous Fire Festival in Japan! Watch as Men Dive Into the Blazing Flames at the Unique Festival in Aichi Prefecture!
Festivals & Events- 74 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 1:33
Kobe Illuminage – Experience the Dazzling Lights via Video! Beautiful Photo Spots & More at This Delightful Illumination in Hyogo Prefecture. Be Sure to Bring Your Special Someone!
Festivals & Events Travel- 76 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 9:34
Kurosaki Gion Yamagasa: A Dynamic Festival Where Shimmering Ornamental Yamakasa Parade Through Kitakyushu, Fukuoka! A Traditional Event for Over 400 Years, and Designated as an Intangible Folk Culture!
Festivals & Events- 255 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 5:56
Cherry Blossoms Blooming in Winter at Hirosaki Park?! Experience a Winter Cherry Blossom Illumination in Aomori Prefecture via Video + Seasonal Illumination Information
Festivals & Events Nature Travel- 81 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 3:45
Winter in Nara – Burning Mountains and Colorful Fireworks! Experience Winter Traditions, History, and Divine Views in This Ancient Japanese Capital!
Festivals & Events Traditional Culture Travel- 28 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 4:39
Be Amazed by the Ferocity of Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi's Yoshida Fire Festival, One of the Three Most Unique Festivals in Japan! This High-Energy Festival Held in the Foothills of Mt. Fuji Will Make for Lifelong Memories!
Festivals & Events- 202 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 16:06
The Niihama Taiko Festival in Ehime Prefecture, Where a Huge Portable Shrine, 5.5 Meters Tall and Weighing 2 Tons, Parades Through the Streets! It's One of the Three Major Fighting Festivals of Japan, and Is Very Exciting to Watch!
Festivals & Events- 264 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 10:12
Omagari Fireworks Festival – Japan's No. 1 Fireworks Display?! Enjoy the Summer Night Sky Filled With Fireworks + the History of the Fireworks Festival in Akita and More!
Festivals & Events Traditional Culture Entertainment & Music Travel- 83 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 3:49
Awa Odori - A Traditional Japanese Dance With 400 Years of History! Check Out the Popular Summer Festival in Fukushima With Powerful Male Dancers and Elegant Female Dancers!
Festivals & Events Traditional Culture Travel Things to Do- 49 plays
- YouTube
Comment