Kyoto Festival: Japanese Mounted Archery at Shimogamo Shrine (Yabusume Shinji) [4K]

Every year in May Kyoto begins to buzz with excitement as the Aoi Matsuri (Hollyhock Festival), one of the three biggest festivals in the city, draws near. Though the festival procession itself falls on the 15th of the month, various rituals and ceremonial preparations begin to take place from the first week of May, drawing thousands of visitors and worshippers from around the country and from abroad. Centered on the Kamo Shrines, Shimogamo Shrine and Kamigamo Shrine, the fesitivites range from sedate purification rituals to high-paced horse races.

On May 3rd at Shimogamo Shrine, one of these prepatory events occurs within the green canapy of the Tadasu no Mori forest leading up to the shrine proper from 1pm. The Yabusame Shinji, or Mounted Archery Ritual, is conducted to pray for the safety of the procession and purify the parade route. Performed by archers of the Ogasawara school, a style that traces its history back about 850 years, riders thunder down a 500m lane firing arrows at three targets along the way. Each time an archer hit the target a cheer springs up from the assembled crowd, and the sound of thundering hoofbeats growing closer and closer let people know something exciting is about to happen. If you're in town for Golden Week or the Aoi Matsuri, be sure not to miss this dynamic ritual and display of martial prowess!

[VytasNeviera]

So intense, so beautiful! And the video was made really well. Love it.

[hbkpagliaruso]

one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen! amazing ! great video!

[jesusmoncayomateo]

wow, , , amazing.i like kyudo.yabusame, bonsai and zen.is the way...

[ashleylopez-reyes]

I liked the video because it shows life to it, and by making it slower it shows there expressions better, good video

[TheMadisonHang]

not just japanese, not just archery,
not just japanese archery, Mounted Japanese Archery
not just mounted Japanese archery,
Japanese Mounted Archery... in 4K!!!!

[jesusmoncayomateo]

la musica es genial y el espiritu samurai en yabusame llega a sobrecoger

[lordofthehounds]

What is the red hats some of them are wearing called?

[AAA-rdcg]

Please - who is this music by? It's amazing

[AAA-rdcg]

Can someone please tell me what this music is??

[qg]

Horseback archery is so maj... (bekawk) so maj... (bekawk) so maj... (bekawk) that pelican is such a big bird.

[vankoda]

Is it true if this festival has been held from Oda Nobunaga era????

[ハンブラビ-lk]

The target is made approximately the same thickness as the human torso.

[khalidalali]

Japan! One of the few places in the world, where you get to travel, and be surrounded by nothing but the local people. May your borders be forever closed.

[nemoem]

some archeologist will use this video for research in the future

[artyomca]

That rebound wall is too near, quite dangerous as the arrow bounces very near the shooter. Still, amazing show of mastery!

[innovassp]

The man with beard, is he an Ainu?
I don't know why, at first I thought he was a Caucasian.

Thank you so much for this amazing and beautiful work!!

[celestinopoletti]

Sicuramente non sono questi i veri arcieri a cavallo.
Senza considerare la poca efficacia.
Tanta ritualità e basta!

[brianbutton]

I came here to see archery a caballo, not pageantry. I bailed after a minute.