Resembling the warriors of Kamakura, yabusame archers take part in a Shinto ritual at Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū Temple/Kamakura

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1209160026/

September 17, 2012

Caption: Yabusame archers aim at the targets, drawing applause from the crowd as each arrow is fired=Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū Temple, Yuki No Shita, Kamakura City

On the 16th, at the Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū Temple (Yuki No Shita, Kamakura City), a yabusame Shinto ritual took place. Marveling at the skill of the archers, whom resembeled the warriors of ancient Kamakura, the location boiled with excitement

One of several events held at the temple's large annual festival, it originated in 1187, which Minamono No Yoritomo himself attended.

250 meters away from the horse racing track, three wooden targets were set up, measuring a square 55 centimeters. Dressed in hunting outfits while atop the horses, the archers fired one arrow after another in straight lines, hitting the targets and drawing applause and big cheers from spectators.

Original text:
鎌倉武士彷彿と、鶴岡八幡宮で「流鏑馬神事」／鎌倉
2012年9月17日

射手が的を射抜くたびに歓声が上がった流鏑馬＝鎌倉市雪ノ下の鶴岡八幡宮

鶴岡八幡宮（鎌倉市雪ノ下）で１６日、「流鏑馬（やぶさめ）神事」が執り行われ、鎌倉武士を彷彿（ほうふつ）とさせる妙技に会場が沸いた。

同八幡宮の例大祭の行事の一つ。この神事は１１８７年に源頼朝臨席で行われたことが起源とされている。

長さ約２５０メートルの馬場に約５５センチ四方の木製の的が３カ所設置された。馬が一直線に駆け抜けながら狩り装束姿の射手が次々に的を射抜くと、観客から大きな歓声と拍手が湧き起こった。