Women Horseback Archers Compete in Yabusame

Yabusame is a traditional Japanese martial art where archers shoot at targets from galloping horses. Performances were always held at shrines and considered to be sacred rituals reserved for men, but in recent years women have begun taking part. This is a result of yabusame’s evolution from ritual to sport, which opened the door to female enthusiasts. Towada City in Aomori now holds an annual, women-only yabusame contest which draws large crowds to enjoy the excitement, skill and colorful traditional costumes of the archers. We follow a 15-year old girl competing against her veteran instructor for the top prize.

[darrylreyes]

That Teacher’s grace in losing to the her student earns for her so much respect. She deserves to be called “Teacher.”

[noname-dkri]

2:26 The upper body is not shaking at all. Amazing.

[sheepewe]

Horse archery would be a wonderful sport to add to the Olympics. All the other equestrian events come from western European traditions, and it would be nice to have more diversity and to represent other horse riding cultures.

[josephmessina]

japan is such a treasure. one of the few incredibly modern nations who hasn’t let go of their beautiful culture

[katakuruma-mp]

流鏑馬は武士の嗜み
今もなお継承されている事も素晴らしい。
ず〜っと続いて欲しい文化ですね。

[LaraCroft]

Love how she hugs her pony like that out of happiness:)

[sharonbarton]

Wonderful, her teacher is incredible, you want your students to grow beyond you; they are your success.

[sooz]

What a wonderful tradition! This is so fascinating.
It would be a shame if this was allowed to fade into history so Aoi Fuse is correct in her dedication to preserving Yabusame.

[schmurble]

the way the teacher hugs her student after losing to her is genuinely heartwarming🧡

[Ferreal]

This is probably the most beautiful sport I have ever seen.

[Melospizia]

It takes two years to master? I can’t even hit a target with bow and arrow while standing on the ground. I think it would take me a two decades to master. 🏹🐎

[baus]

If you get goosebumps And brings tears、you know you came to the right place

[dreamer]

The motion of their draw and release, and their clothing, are truly beautiful.

[aniquinstark]

Japan has a very long tradition of elite archers. It's really cool that they still participates in their cultural traditions, even ones like archery which are considered outdated today.

[fatmaninachair]

This _so_ needs to be in the Olympics.

[jcortese]

That is AWESOME! This looks fantastic -- you know a teacher is good when their student exceeds them! They're both wonderful!

[hydrangeadragon]

what a beautiful sport and under the gorgeous cherry blossoms no less

[stormy]

I am grateful that these women compete at such a beautiful traditional sport & that they have their OWN level of competition!
AMAZING PERFECTION & GRACE!😍😍😍👍❤️

[bananaguchi]

I watched a documentary about Aoi. She was raised by a single mother, so dispite the finacial problem, her mother bought this horse for her daughter because Aoi really loves Yabusame and the horse. She and the horse are like sisters. The horse senses AOi what she wants so that the horse adjusts the speed, course and distance to makes sure she can hit the target. Such a amazing conbination!!

[seemslegit]

A great example of why Japanese bows are offset like that, makes them much easier to use from a horse