Joma Shinji - Kyudo (Japanese Archery) Exorcism Ritual for New Years
Joma Shinji is a New Year's Japanese Archery Ritual for driving away evil for the coming year. Six archers dressed in formal samurai kimono known as kariginu shoot two arrows a piece at a large circular target. On the back of the target is painted an upside kanji character for "oni" which means "devil." Striking the target is believe to expel evil particularly shots which pass through the oni character. Since ancient times in Japan, arrows have been seen as having the power to banish and destroy evil. Even the twanging of bow strings is thought to ward away evil spirits. During New Year's, decorative wooden arrows are sold at temples and shrines as good luck charms for the coming year. Joma Shinji takes place at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine in Kamakura on January 5th. The ritual dates back to a time when Kamakura was the military capital of Japan (1185-1333). The first hereditary shogun, Minamoto no Yoritomo, promoted a variety of military type ritu...