The Roving Ronin Report

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...

YABUSAME - JAPANESE MOUNTED ARCHERY BEFORE THE SWORD CAME THE BOW A yabusame archer wearing formal hunting clothes from the 13th century It has often been said:  The sword is the soul of the samurai.  Much has been written in Japan and around the world about the Japanese samurai sword and its nigh-mystical aspects. The sword was an indispensable weapon of the samurai warrior, even when guns began to steadily come into use during the 16th century. A sword was a mark of samurais status and honor. They were heirlooms to be passed down generation after generation. Swords of exceptional make were often given as gifts of great honor. Yabusame depicted on a folding screen And yet in the early history of the samurai, it was the bow, not the sword, that was praised. Early samurai warriors referred to their profession as the  Way of the Horse and Bow. Stories about a heros prowess with the bow abound in the folklore and military legends of this time period. Enemies both mortal and monstrous were...

On Seijin-no-Hi (Coming of Age Day) in early January in Japan, an archery ritual known as Momote Shiki is held at Meiji Shrine in Tokyo for all those turning 20 for that year. 10 Archers at a time shoot two arrows at a central target. At Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, a Shinto Priest fires a whistling arrow signfying the start of an archery ritual to commemorate Coming of Age Day.

Momote Shiki: Japanese Archery Ritual  Centuries-old ritual held for the fortune of new adults Archers in old style kimono preparing to shoot n the archery ritual known as Momote Shiki Seijin-no-Hi or Coming of Age Day is celebrated all throughout Japan on the second Monday of January. Throughout the country, similar ceremonies and activities take place among those newly turned 20 such as the wearing of special kimono, going to shrines, attending speeches, and so on. At Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, a unique ceremony takes place that is often overlooked in favor of seeing the kimono-clad girls that populate the shrine on that day. Behind the main shrine complex an archery ritual known as Momote Shiki is performed for the good fortune of all those turning 20 and becoming new adults. Archers wearing a style of formal kimono that samurai once wore in olden times shoot two arrows a piece at a central target. Archers arriving at Meiji Shrine in Tokyo The Momote Shiki ceremony is conducted by the O...