Yabusame in Nikko - Samurai Horseback Archery

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Yabusame is Japanese horseback archery, a tradition that goes back well over 1000 years. The first samurai referred to their profession as "The Way of the Horse and Bow" - the sword as a principle weapon coming much much later. This Yabusame event took place in Nikko which is 2 hours north of Tokyo. It's the resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543-1616), the first shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate (1603-1867). The Ogasawara Ryu (school of archery) conducted the event. They do Yabusame there in May and October.


Early Samurai excelled more in the use of the bow and horse than the sword


Yabusame Archers wear medieval hunting clothes


Striking the board brings good luck and prosperity to all








Location: Nikko-Reiheishi Hwy, Imaichi, Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture 321-1261, Japan

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