Cheers in the ancient city. The final event of the Kamakura Festival, horseback archery/Kamakura

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1204160002/

April 16, 2012

From atop a horse, the archer displays his wonderful skill= Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu Temple, Yuki No Shita, Kamakura City

On the 15th, the final decoration to the Kamakura Festival was held, horseback archery. It took place at the Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu Temple of Yuki No Shita, Kamakura City

After the "Enduring as the Heavens Ceremony," a Shinto event requesting an abundant harvest and the well being of the entire nation, Takeda-Ryu archers straddled their horses and dashed across 250 meters of racing ground in dedication.

Three targets were set up along the raceway. Accompanied by a "Ba-n!" sound, the were hit one after the other, drawing huge applause and cheers from the spectators.

(Footage from 2008)

Original text:
古都に歓声、フィナーレ飾る「鎌倉まつり」の流鏑馬/鎌倉
2012年4月16日

馬上から的を射抜く妙技が披露された＝鎌倉市雪ノ下の鶴岡八幡宮

「鎌倉まつり」のフィナーレを飾る流鏑馬（やぶさめ）が15日、鎌倉市雪ノ下の鶴岡八幡宮で行われた。

流鏑馬を奉納したのは武田流の射手ら。五穀豊穣（ごこくほうじょう）や万民息災を願う神事「天長地久の儀」が執り行われた後、馬にまたがった射手が約２５０メートルの馬場を疾走。

「バーン」という音とともに、設置された三つの的を次々に射抜くと、見物人から大きな歓声と拍手が起こっていた。