Hello,
I'm Keko, an online staff member.
How are you all spending your holidays?
Some may be relaxing at home to unwind from the usual fatigue, while others may have plans for visiting family or traveling. And there might even be those who have work commitments during the holidays.
In Kyoto, on May 3rd this year, the Shimogamo Shrine will host the Kisha Yabusame Shinji, a ritual of horseback archery.
Last year, many people attended the event during the holidays, and we were blessed with pleasant weather.
The Yabusame Shinji, though known by a different name, has its roots in the "Kisha" practiced by warriors from the late Heian period to the Kamakura period.
Targets are set up at three points along a 400-meter straight horse course in the sacred grove of the shrine.
Riders on horseback dash forward and shoot arrows at the targets using a traditional Japanese bow and arrow.
The thunderous sound of galloping horses, coupled with the precise shooting of arrows, creates a spectacle that's both awe-inspiring and exhilarating.
The sheer size and power of the horses add to the magnificence of the event. Witnessing it up close would undoubtedly be a remarkable experience.
| Date & Time: May 3, 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Place: Shimogamo Shrine |