Wishing for an abundant harvest at the Yabusame event of Sogabairi’s Odawara Peach Festival/Kanagawa

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1202110020/

February 11, 2012

Atop a dashing horse, the archer fires his arrow=Sogabairin, Odawara city

Praying for an excellent harvest and world peace, the Yabusame Shinto ritual took place on the 11th in Sogabairin, Odawara City. Continuing until the 29th of this month, the Yabusame is the central event of the festival. This is the 26th Yabusame of the Odawara Peach Festival.

To signal the archer to take off with his horse, an especially large fan is woven through the air. Along a 240 meter straight line, 3 targets have been set up for the archer to release his arrows with force. The crowds go on to cheer in approval according to the degree of accuracy.

During an average year, right now is the best time to view the 30,500 plum trees. This year, the blooming arrived about 2 weeks late, so the buds are still not completely in view. Nevertheless, 15,000 visitors arrived on location by foot, according to an announcement by the city's tourism association.

Original text:

五穀豊穣願い曽我梅林で流鏑馬、小田原梅まつり/神奈川

2012年2月11日

疾走する馬の背から矢を放つ射手＝小田原市の曽我梅林

小田原市の曽我梅林で11日、天下太平と五穀豊穣（ほうじょう）を願う神事「流鏑馬（やぶさめ）」が行われた。今月29日まで続く「小田原梅まつり」の中心行事で、26回目。

射手は、特大の扇が振られるのを合図に馬を走らせ、約２４０メートルの直線沿いに三つ設けられた的へ力強く矢を放った。的中するたびに、観客からは大きな歓声が上がった。

例年なら約３万５千本の梅が見ごろを迎える時期だが、ことしは２週間ほど遅く、まだ全体につぼみが目立つ。それでも約１万５千人（市観光協会発表）が会場に足を運んだ。