Japan is home to some of the oldest traditions and rituals in the world.
On November 3, the country celebrated its national Culture Day, with locals participating in parades, ceremonies, and a sacred sport called Yabusame.
Yabusame is a ritual based on martial arts that formed during Japan’s feudal period.
From around 1185 right up until 1867, Japan was ruled by military dictators called “Shoguns.” Each region was run by different feudal lords who kept samurais – the equivalent to knights in medieval Europe.
Yabsame competitions, which involve horseback archery, evolved as a way for feudal lords to test their samurais on accuracy, skill, and strength.
Today, it is considered a religious ritual rather than an athletic tournament. Competitions take place all over the country throughout the year. In Tokyo, people flock to the city's Menji Shrine to watch archers compete in Yabusame.
Take a look at the ancient pageantry.
This November, dozens of skilled riders took part in a Yabusame tournament at the Meiji Jingu shrine outside of Tokyo. Yabusame tournaments are held throughout the year at many places in Japan.
The Menji shrine festival is the most famous Yabusame tournament in Japan. It takes place on "Culture Day" – a national holiday – and is steeped in the Shinto religion.
Source: A Popular Dictionary of Shinto
The archers in this tournament are trained in "Takeda-ryu" – a Japanese martial art that was widely practiced in feudal Japan, with the first recorded tournament taking place in 1096. Today, competitors wear traditional clothing from the 12th and 13th centuries.
Source: International Society for Takeda Budo
It was invented as a way for noblemen to train their male samurais, but evolved into a celebration of the gods. The tournament is considered a sacred event, and the competitors are led to the starting line by a Shinto priest.
Source: International Society for Takeda Budo
Culture Day is a huge celebration in Tokyo, and the tournament runs alongside traditional dances and rituals.
Source: Japan Times
Originally invented as a way for noblemen to train their male samurais, now both men and women take part in the tournament. Each rider has to fire three arrows at a target while controlling their horse.
Source: International Society for Takeda Budo
The archers and their horses travel at high speeds down a 255-meter-long track. The task requires a lot of strength, as the competitors use only their legs to stay on their horses.
Source: Unmissable Japan
The archers use a "yumi" — a type of Japanese bow dating back to the third century. Samurais began using the weapons during the 1100s.
Source: Kuyodo, the Essence and Presence of Japanese Archery
The rider shoots three special "turnip-headed" arrows successively at three wooden targets. As they fire, the archers shout "In-Yo, In, Yo." This means "darkness and light" — the two opposing cosmic forces in the Shinto religion.
Source: International Society for Takeda Budo
The blunt, rounded arrows make a louder sound when they strike the board, so that the spectators can clearly hear the impact. According to the International Society for Takeda Budo, hitting all three targets is very rare.
Source: Unmissable Japan
Yabusame tournaments take place all over the country, and have become increasingly popular with locals. The whole run is over in around 20 seconds, and the score is based simply on how many targets have been hit.
Source: Unmissable Japan
Three judges award the riders points based on how many targets were hit. The winner's prize is a white cloth, which symbolises a blessing from the Shinto gods.
Source: Unmissable Japan