Video introduction of "Yabusame (horseback archery) ritual" at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture Photo：Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Kamakura 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 Photo：The stone steps leading up to the main shrine of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Kamakura 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 Photo：Yabusame 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 Photo：Yabusame at Shimogamo Shrine 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 Photo：Yabusame 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 2024 Yabusame Event at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine Photo：The main shrine of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Kamakura 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 Photo：The main shrine of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Kamakura 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

Japan's Temple & Shrine Carpenters This video, titled "In Japan, Repairing Buildings Without a Single Nail," was uploaded by "Great Big Story." It introduces a traditional Japanese temple and shrine carpenter, called "Miyadaiku" (宮大工) in Japanese, from Kamakura (鎌倉). Japanese temple and shrine carpenters specialize in temples and shrines and construct/repair traditional buildings. Some of the craftsmen work on the construction and repair of historical buildings, such as Japan's national treasures and world heritage sites. Japan's temple and shrine carpenters must possess a high-level of skill and knowledge to repair traditional buildings. A building repaired by Japan's Miyadaiku carpenters allows the beautiful architecture of Japan to remain the work of art that it is. This article covers some of the amazing traditional techniques of Japan's temple and shrine carpenters and their journey to becoming full-fledged craftsmen. Kigumi - A Traditional Carpentry Technique Used by Japan's Miyadaiku Carpenters Photo：Kigumi, traditional Japanese architecture Some wooden architecture in Japan, including temples and shrines, is built by assembling wooden materials together as though it were one large 3d puzzle. This method is called the "Kigumi" method, meaning "wooden framework." This impressive craftsmanship can be seen from 0:21 in the video. The traditional skill of framing and jointing wood, characterized by very precise cutting and coupling of wood, requires countless hours of training and experience as a Miyadaiku carpenter. Traditional Japanese architecture is made possible thanks to the high-quality craftsmanship of Japan's temple and shrine carpenters. The Long Road to Becoming a Miyadaiku Carpenter Photo：A wooden shrine, traditional Japanese architecture Acquiring the skills of a Miyadaiku carpenter requires on-the-job training, so the first step is to become an apprentice at a workshop or construction firm and learn the repair processes and traditional methods used by observing the skills of a master Miyadaiku carpenter up close. The history of Miyadaiku carpenters dates back more than a thousand years. In the past, Japan's temple and shrine carpenters were referred to as "Wataridaiku," and they lived in areas with many shrines and temples, working from one location to the next. Miyadaiku carpenters also repair historic World Heritage buildings and prominent national treasures, such as the one's you'd find in Kyoto. Thus, Miyadaiku carpenters are required to have advanced knowledge in various fields, not just architecture, but religious studies as well. Summary of Japan's Traditional Miyadaiku Carpenters Photo：A wooden temple being built Miya-Daiku carpenters have been repairing Japan's temples and shrines since ancient times with their advanced skills that can be used to construct wooden buildings without the use of nails. This traditional Japanese culture is handed down from one generation of craftsmen to the next. It's no secret that all of Japan's beautiful temples and shrines look like the amazing works of art they art thanks to the amazing craftsmanship of Japan's Miyadaiku carpenters.

Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture Sightseeing Spots Video Introduction This video, titled "Kamakura, a Place of Prayer - Traditional Culture in Kamakura-" (祈りの地 鎌倉 -鎌倉の伝統文化-), was uploaded by "Ryo Hayashi" (林良). This work was submitted to the Kanagawa Prefecture Tourism Video Contest by "Ryo Hayashi", who uploads videos that capture the beautiful daily life of Kamakura. Kamakura is located in the central area of Kamakura, Kanagawa, in Japan's Kanto region. Known as the ancient capital of Japan, there are historical buildings and you can see the culture that Japan is famous for around the world. In addition to the spots in the video, there are many temples in Kamakura and it can be said to be a place of prayer. The video fully conveys the charms of Kamakura as a tourist destination. Be sure to watch the video to learn more about Kamakura, the land of prayer. Recommendation – The Great Buddha of Kamakura at Kotoku-in Temple During Cherry Blossom Season Photo：Cherry blossoms and the Kamakura Daibutsu When people think of Kamakura, the first shrine or temple that comes to mind is probably Kotoku-in Temple, home to the Great Buddha of Kamakura. It's so famous as a symbol that many people who don't know of Kotoku-in Temple will recognize it when they hear of the Great Buddha of Kamakura. The Great Buddha is approximately 11.3m tall and weighs around 121 tons. Although it's not as big as the Great Buddha of Nara Todaiji Temple, it is known as the second largest seated Great Buddha and is a National Treasure of Kamakura. In spring, you can also take pictures with the Great Buddha and cherry blossoms. A photo of the Great Buddha with cherry blossoms and blue skies is sure to look good on Instagram and make for a memorable shot! A Wedding Ceremony at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Featured in the Historical Japanese Drama 'The 13 Lords of the Shogun' Photo：A wedding at Tsuruoka Hachimangu Shrine Tsuruoka Hachimangu is a shrine that represents Kamakura, and is the subject of the popular historical drama The 13 Lords of the Shogun. The enshrined deities are the 3 Hachiman deities (Emperor Ojin, Empress Jingu, and Himegami), and are said to bring benefits, such as increased luck and improvement in arts, and also ward off evil. Wakamiya Oji, a road that stretches from Yuigahama Beach to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, is also a famous tourist spot. You can also watch the video of the festival held at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, the enshrinement anniversary festival and the Sachiakari ceremony. Sachiakari is a night wedding ceremony at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. It is held for only one group per day in the magical precincts illuminated by bonfires. Weddings held in the evening are very rare in Japan. [Video] 0:26 - Enshrinement Anniversary Festival, Sachiakari Ceremony Menkake Gyoretsu – A Festival at Goryo Shrine Photo：Menkake Gyoretsu, a unique festival at Goryo Shrine, Kamakura Take a look at the video to see what Menkake Gyoretsu (masked procession) at Goryo Shrine looks like. This festival, which has been designated as an Intangible Cultural Property of the prefecture, is said to be based on an event held at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine's Hojokai. This procession is depicted in the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Festival Procession Map at the Tokyo National Museum. If you rub the big belly of the big-belled okame (person wearing an Okame mask), it's believed you will be blessed with easy childbirth. [Video] 0:35 - Goryo Shrine's Menkake Gyoretsu Other Shrines and Temples in Kamakura Photo：Kenchoji Temple, one of the Five Temples of Kamakura Kamakura is home to many temples. Kamakura once prospered as the center of the Kamakura Shogunate, the first samurai government, and samurai culture flourished there throughout the Kamakura period (1185 to 1333 AD). Zen Buddhism was especially valued in samurai society, and Kenchoji Temple, Engakuji Temple, Jufukuji Temple, Jochiji Temple, and Jomyoji Temple are known as the Five Temples of Kamakura. In addition, there's Gokuraku-ji Temple and Anyo-in Temple, which are related to the Kamakura Shogunate, Ashikaga Takauji's Choju-ji Temple, and Ryuho-ji Temple which has ties to the Later Hojo clan. Meigetsu-in Temple, which has a deep connection with the samurai government, is also known as a hydrangea temple. The garden's 2,500 hydrangeas are in full bloom from early to late June. A Serene Zen Meditation Experience at a Zen Buddhist Temple Zen Buddhist temples offer a variety of experiences. For example, you can experience Zen meditation at Hokokuji Temple, and experience sutra copying and shabutsu (写仏, tracing the image of Buddha) at Hasedera Temple. Kenchoji also holds zazen meditation sessions that you can participate in twice a year. Komyo-ji Temple is also known as Neko-dera (猫寺, lit. "Cat Temple") because cats are taken care of by the temple residents and neighbors. It's known as a place where you can enjoy seasonal flowers together with the cats on the temple grounds. Highlights and Recommended Sightseeing Spots in Kamakura Photo：The Enoden Line and railroad crossing in front of Kamakura High School, Kamakura, Kanagawa Kamakura as a place of prayer is a tourist attraction visited by many people each year. Thanks to the historical drama it's becoming even more popular this year. The most famous station is the Enoshima Electric Railway's (commonly known as Enoden) Kamakura Kokomae station. There is a famous railroad crossing that appears in the opening of the anime Slam Dunk here, and it is visited by anime fans from all over the world. The Kamakura Museum of Literature is fashionable and displays manuscripts of poets, as well as a variety of books. Roses bloom in spring and autumn, and the collaboration with the Western-style building from Japan's early Showa period is incredibly photogenic. Shichirigahama Beach is popular among yacht and windsurfing enthusiasts, and Koshigoe beach is also popular during the sea bathing season. Wakaenoshima, the oldest harbor construction site, is also a place that history buffs should visit at least once. Furthermore, the natural beauty created by wave erosion on the western side of the Miura Peninsula is currently attracting attention. For the Best Food in Kamakura, Head to Komachi-Dori! If you want to enjoy some delicious food, head over to Komachi Street. There are many restaurants and cafes, where you can enjoy whitebait dishes and dishes using vegetables grown in Kamakura, as well as do some souvenir shopping. Also, at the beginning of October each year, Oktoberfest is held. You can experience a slice of German culture with refreshing beer, food stalls, and exciting stage performances. At the Kanagawa Prefectural Ofuna Botanical Garden, visitors can enjoy the nature of each season, including plum blossoms, cherry blossoms, and autumn leaves. Summary – Power Spots in Kamakura, a Place of Prayer Photo：Kamakura Have you seen the video of Kamakura, the Land of Prayer? Kamakura, an ancient city with a long history, is actually creating opportunities for regional revitalization with a unique business model called "Machi no Coin." Kamakura City has a population of approximately 173,000 and is visited by approximately 7.38 million tourists annually. You can also explore the historical and cultural town on foot or rent a bicycle. There are also many hiking courses with different attractions and levels for people of all experience levels. If you get tired, you can take a rest at a hot spring inn too. How about recharging your mind and body in a wonderful city with history, culture, and power spots? 【TripAdvisor】Kamakura, Kanagawa https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g303156-Kamakura_Kanagawa_Prefecture_Kanto-Vacations.html