Yabusame is a kind of Japanese archery as a ceremonial art of shooting whistling arrows at a stationary target from the back of a galloping horse. The archer shoots a special “turnip-headed ” arrow at a wooden target.
Yabusame as an archery dates its origins at the start of the Kamakura period. It was a time when Minamoto no Yoritomo was alarmed when samurai displayed the lack of archery skills. Minamoto then organized a form of archery practice called Yabusame.
The history of bow and mounted archery in Japan
Japanese began using bows that dates back to prehistoric times specifically in the Jomon period. The long, unique asymmetrical bow style with the grip below the center emerged under the Yayoi culture (300 BC - 300 AD). Bows then became the symbol of authority and power. The legendary first emperor of Japan, Emperor Jimmu, is always depicted carrying a bow.
The use of the bow had been on foot until around the 4th century when elite soldiers took to fighting on horseback with bows and swords. In the 10th century, samurai would have archery duels on horseback. They would ride at each other and try to shoot at least three arrows. These duels did not necessarily have to end in death, as long as honor was satisfied. One of the most famous and celebrated incidents of Japanese mounted archery occurred during the Genpei War (1180-1185), an epic struggle for power between the Heike and Genji clans that was to have a major impact on Japanese culture, society, and politics.
At the Battle of Yashima, the Heike, having been defeated in battle, fled to Yashima and took to their boats. The Genji fiercely pursued them on horseback, but the sea halted the Genji.
As the Heike waited for the winds to be right, they presented a fan hung from a mast as a target for any Genji archer to shoot at in a gesture of chivalrous rivalry between enemies.
One of the Genji samurai, Nasu Yoichi, accepted the challenge. He rode his horse into the sea and shot the fan cleanly through. Nasu won much fame and his feat is still celebrated to this day.
During the Kamakura Period (1192-1334), mounted archery was used as a military training exercise to keep samurai prepared for war. Those archers who did poorly might find themselves commanded to commit seppuku, or ritualistic suicide.
One style of mounted archery was inuoumono - shooting at dogs. Buddhist priests were able to prevail upon the samurai to have the arrows padded so that the dogs were only annoyed and bruised rather than killed. This sport is no longer practiced.
Yabusame - the ritual mounted archery
In the Kamakura period (1192-1333) came to be practice as a divine rite offered by warriors to temples and shrines in hopes of victory of battles. The Japanese archery was designed to please and entertain the myriad of gods that watch over Japan. The people of Japan believes in it to encourage blessings for prosperity of the land, the people, and the harvest.
A yabusame archer gallops on a horse on a 255-meter long track at high speed. The archer primarily controls his horse with his knees during the time when he needs both hands to draw and shoot his bow.
Upon approaching the target, he brings up his bow up and draws the arrow past his ear before letting the arrow fly with a deep yell of In-Yo-In-Yo (or darkness and light). The arrow is blunt and round-shaped to yield a louder sound when it strikes the board.
The choice of a V-shaped prong is given to experienced archers. When the board is struck, it will splinter with a confetti-like material and fall to the ground. It is considered to be a highly admirable accomplishment to hit all three targets. Yabusame targets and their placement are designed to ritually copy the optimum target for a fatal blow on an opponent wearing O-Yoroi or a traditional samurai armor that has a bare space beneath the helmet visor.
Yabusame is more seen as a ritual than a sport because of its solemn style and religious aspects. It is often performed for special ceremonies or official events including entertaining foreign dignitaries and heads of state. In fact, the formal visits of American presidents Ronal Reagan and George W. Bush consist of Yabusame demonstrations. A yabusame demonstration was also bestowed to Prince Charles of United Kingdom who was reportedly fascinated and pleased with the performance.
At the present time, yabusame can be seen at the Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū in Kamakura and Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto. It is also performed in Samukawa and on the beach at Zushi, as well as other locations.