At the Kamakura Goryō Shrine, the annual Menkakegyoretsu (Masked Parade) is held, in prayer of a rich harvest, fortune and protection from disaster/Kanagawa

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1209180030/

September 19, 2012

A masked group marches in the Menkakegyoretsu=Kamakura City

On the 18th, from the Goryō Shrine in Saka No Shita, Kamakura City, the annual Menkakegyoretsu (Masked Parade) was held. Wearing masks that included the Oni and Okame, a group of ten slowly marched the streets. Over one hundred shrine parishioners followed closely. The event is held to appeal for a rich harvest, the invitation of good fortune and the removal of disasters.

Being a part of the shrine's annual festival, the Menkakegyoretsu has been designated as an invaluable cultural asset of the prefecture. The event recognizes the anniversary of Kamakura Gongorō Kagemasa's death, a warrior of the Heian Period whose family were pioneers of Kamakura City.

The large crowds were grateful for the parade, as there was a concern that it might be halted due to the possibility of rainfall ruining the wooden masks.

Original text:
鎌倉御霊神社で恒例の面掛行列、除災招福と五穀豊穣を祈願／神奈川
2012年9月19日

面掛衆が練り歩いた面掛行列＝鎌倉市

鎌倉市坂ノ下の御（ご）霊（りょう）神社（小林孝男宮司）で１８日、恒例の面（めん）掛（かけ）行列が行われた。鬼やおかめなど１０の面をつけた面掛衆と氏子ら１００人以上が近くの通りをゆっくりと練り歩き、除災招福と五穀豊（ほう）穣（じょう）を祈った。
 　
同神社の例大祭の神事で、県の指定無形文化財。鎌倉開拓の祖と伝えられる平安時代の武士、鎌倉権（ごん）五（ご）郎（ろう）景（かげ）正（まさ）の命日に毎年、行われている。
 　
雨で木製の面がぬれるため中止の懸念もあったが、出発時にはやみ、大勢の観光客らを喜ばせた。

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。