The Kyoto Shimbun
  • Home
  • Kyoto
  • News
  • Valiant Mounted Archery Ritual under Fresh Green Canopy
    Shimogamo Shrine, Kyoto

    16 May 2017 - Kyoto//Tradition/Culture
    Photo= An archer shooting an arrow from the back of a galloping horse that is kicking up a cloud of dust, in "Yabusame Shinji" (May 3, Shimogamo Shrine, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto)

    Photo= An archer shooting an arrow from the back of a galloping horse that is kicking up a cloud of dust, in "Yabusame Shinji" (May 3, Shimogamo Shrine, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto)

    "Yabusame Shinji," or a mounted archery ritual, was held on May 3 at Shimogamo Shrine, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, in order to pray that Aoi Festival will take place peacefully. The stirring sound of horses galloping and the pleasing crack of breaking targets reverberated throughout the Tadasu no Mori forest which was clothed in dazzling verdure.

    Three diamond-shaped targets measuring 50 square centimeters were installed along the rougly-400-meter horse lane in the Tadasu no Mori forest. Archers dressed in the costumes of court nobles or samurai shot arrows one after another, shouting "In, Yo," referring to Yin and Yang. When the arrows struck all three targets, it was announced as "Kaichu" or "all hit," causing the crowd of visitors to erupt in cheers and applause.

    The mounted archery ritual is believed to date back to before the Nara Period. After several suspensions, it has been performed by the Ogasawara school since 1973.

    (translated by Galileo, Inc.)
  • Also in Kyoto//Tradition/Culture:
    Visitors to Goou Shrine made long lines stretching outside of the grounds and security guards were even hired temporarily (January 4, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto)

    Year of the Boar Triggers Sharp Visitor Increase Goou Shrine Associated with Boars
    5 February 2019

    Inn operators mark 40th year with "Buri Shabu" promotion plan

    Inn operators mark 40th year with "Buri Shabu" promotion plan
    5 February 2019

    "Trick Art" where the picture moves on a smartphone screen. Visitors can also take photos of AR mixed with reality (Sagano Onsen Tenzan no Yu, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto)

    AR Utilized to Enhance Spa's Instagrammability
    Discount for Posting Photos on SNS
    8 January 2019

    Seihan Mori, the chief priest of Kiyomizu-dera Temple, writing the character for "disaster" with a brush (Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto)

    "Disaster" Selected as Kanji of Year
    Announced at Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto
    8 January 2019

    The illuminated Togetsu-kyo Bridge emerges during a lighting test (7:10 p.m., December 6, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto)

    Fantastic Year-end Arashiyama Emerges
    Hanatouro Test Lighting in Kyoto
    8 January 2019

News Archive
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • More...
Categories
  • Sightseeing/Events
  • Temples/Shrines
  • Tradition/Culture
  • Local topics
  • Education/University
  • Business/Company
  • Traffic
  • Gourmet
  • 1min Kyoto
  • Kyoto
  • Shiga
Special Issue
  • Sakura (The cherry blossomes)
  • Gozan Okuribi (The five fires)
  • Momiji (The autumn leaves)
  • Snowscapes of temples and shrines
  • Kyoto Station
  • Kyoto Dialect
  • Nobel Prize (Shinya Yamanaka/2012)
  • Nobel Prize (Koichi Tanaka/2002)
  • UNFCCC-COP3/KYOTO (1997)
Web site
Most Viewed
  • 1minKyoto

    About "1min Kyoto"

    18 October 2015
  • Photo= Autumn leaves arching over the railway track section called "Momiji Tunnel" are illuminated (Eizan Electric Railway Kurama Line)

    Tunnel of Autumnal Foliage through Train Windows
    Illumination along Eizan Railway, Kyoto

    7 November 2015
  • Japanese Plums Already Blooming in Kyoto Gyoen National Garden
    Fragrance of Spring Floats in December

    22 December 2015
  • No Sleep, No Food, No Water for Nine Days
    "Do-iri," Most Rigorous Ordeal of 1,000-day Marathon Pilgrimage in Mount Hiei

    13 October 2015
  • Artistic Goldfish Bowls Enchant Danmitsu
    Art Exhibition in Nijo-jo Castle, Kyoto

    23 October 2015
Introducing Privacy Policy Japanese Site
Copyright © 1995-2019 The Kyoto Shimbun Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
We use cookies for a number of reasons, such as keeping our websites reliable and secure, providing social media features and to analyze the performance of ads. Accept & continue Read More
Privacy Policy