YABUSAME RITUAL

a Samurai practice against Mongol Invasions

By Kim Lau

YABUSAME is a style of horseback archery practiced by the Samurai (warrior caste) that began with the Kamakura Shogunate, the defender of the Mongol Invasions. This defense was very expensive for the Shogunate, where many whom helped with the war lamented on not being compensated, eventually leading to its fall. Yabusame is today a Shinto religious ritual, and the one featured took place at 900-years old Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine in Kamakura. Archers are dressed in samurai hunting wear called age shozoku, and use turnip-head arrows which make a whistling sound as they fly through the air, gallop down a straight path lined with 3 targets. Yabusame is the finale of the 3-day Reitaisai festival that encompass many rituals and performances.

archers in samurai hunting wear

The archers are dressed in Samurai hunting wear called Age Shozoku just like in the Kamakura period, and use turnip-head arrows which make a whistling sound as they fly through the air. Kasama Inari Jinja has an interesting writeup on this sophisticated Samurai hunting wear.

ARCHERS PREPARING FOR YABUSAME RITUAL CEREMONY

YABUSAME ARCHERS ON TARGET

This is a competition of the archers, a test of their Equestrian and Archery techniques. There are 3 targets along the straight path, and misses are not uncommon. Also, the more confident riders heads down with impressive speed, while the less experienced managed with slower gallop.