(Movie) Wishing for a rich harvest at the Sogabairin Yabusame Shinto Ritual (Odawara Plum Festival)/Kanagawa

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1302110006/

February 11, 2013

 

A yabusame travels through the plum grove on horseback=Sogabairin, Odawara City

On the 11th, at the Sogabairin Plum Grove of Odawara City, the yabusame Shinto ritual was conducted. Performed for peace over the world and a plentiful harvest, it's the central event of the 27^th annual Odawara Plum Festival.

(Movies)

　

Following the signal of a giant fan being woven, the archer and his horse gallop down a 240 meter straight line. As the horse runs the track, the archer powerfully fires arrows towards three targets set up along the side. Giant rounds of applause erupt from the crowds according to his degree of accuracy.

On an average year, the viewing season for some 35,000 plum trees within the grove arrives right about now. However, this year the blooming has been late. Everywhere on the trees, the buds have remained standing dormant.

Original text:

【動画】曽我梅林で流鏑馬神事、五穀豊穣を願い小田原梅まつり/神奈川

2013年2月11日

梅林を背に行われた「流鏑馬」＝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。「小田原梅まつり」の中心行事で、今年で27回目。

【動画】

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設けられた三つの的へ力強く矢を放ち、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、今年も開花が遅く、まだ全体につぼみが目立っていた。

Predicting a rich or poor harvest for the coming year: An excellent harvest is on the way, according to Shirahige Temple's Busha Festival/Odawara

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1301070014/

January 7, 2013

Facing the target, an archer fires an arrow=Shirahige

Continuing over the last 800 years, the Busha Festival of Shirahige Temple in Obune, Odawara's City was held on the 7th. Dressed in kariginu, two archers aim at a target with handmade bows and arrows. The results of the shots are used to predict the year's harvest.

At the temple, people gather in reverence of historical figures such as Minamoto no Yoritomo and Hōjō Sōun. The annual Busha Festival has continued each year since Nakamura Kagehira of the Nakamura clan started it on the same day in 1190.

The target is 2 meters in diameter, drawn with the unusual shape of a spiral coming from the center. After receiving a cleansing ceremony from Chief Priest Akio, two archers coming from multiple generations of experience fashioned hand-made, bamboo bows and arrows. 7 times, they aimed and fired the arrows at the target.

This year there were 4 direct hits. Smiling, fellow Chief Preist Nakamura proclaimed "Because we've had the fortune of so many direct hits, I think this year is going to be wonderful."


Original text:
１年間の豊凶占う：「素晴らしい年」白髭神社で奉射祭／小田原
2013年1月7日

的に向けて弓を放つ射手＝白髭神社

８００年ほど前から続く白髭神社（小田原市小船）の奉射祭（ぶしゃさい）が７日、執り行われた。狩衣姿の射手２人が、手製の弓矢で的を狙った結果を通じ、今年の豊凶を占った。

同神社は、古くは源頼朝や北条早雲などの尊崇を集めてきたとされる。奉射祭は１１９０年のこの日に豪族の中村景平が行って以来、続いてきたとされる。

的は直径約２メートルで、中心から渦巻き状に線が描かれた珍しいもの。代々務めている射手２人が、中村瑛（あきお）宮司からおはらいを受けた後、竹で手作りした弓矢で計７回、的を狙って矢を放った。

今年は４発が命中。中村宮司は「多く当たったので中吉。素晴らしい年になると思う」と笑顔で話していた。

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。

The long celebrated cleansing arrow march, a Shinto ritual at Hiratsuka’s Hachimanguu Temple/Hiratsuka

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1208210013/

August 22, 2012

Archers pull back their bows, aiming at targets 15 meters away.

Recently at the Hachiman-guu Temple of Sengen-chou, Hiratsuka City, the ritual of the cleansing arrows was held. Onlookers witnessed the ancient event while bathing in the summer sun.

Long ago, the location was said to be a place where fortune telling took place. Aiming at the targets from a standing position, the archers resembled Yabusame, sans the horses.

Four students of the Ogasawara Horse Archery School participated in each of the two events. Aiming at a target from 15 meters away, they competed for victory by firing two arrows each. The silent onlookers witnessed a tie among two sets of arrows that fired at the 27 square centimeter targets.

Original text:

平塚八幡宮で神事、古式ゆかしい魔よけの歩射/平塚

2012年8月22日

15メートル先の的を狙って弓を引く射手

平塚市浅間町の平塚八幡宮でこのほど、魔よけの神事「歩（ほ）射（しゃ）神事」が開催された。夏の日差しを浴びながら、見物客らも古式ゆかしい行事に見入っていた。

流鏑馬（やぶさめ）のように馬上からでなく、立った状態で的を狙う。かつては当たった場所で吉凶を占っていたという。

「弓馬術礼法小笠原教場」の門弟が４人ずつで２組に分かれ、15メートル先の的を狙って１人２本の弓を引き、勝ち負けを競った。見物客が静かに見つめる中、27センチ四方の的にはともに４本の矢が当たり、引き分けとなった。

Praying for a safe summer, at the waterfall connected to Kentaro (The opening of Yuuhi No Ryuu waterfall)/Minamiashigara

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1207010018/

July 2, 2012

Praying for the safety of the spectators, a yamabushi (mountain priest) shoots an arrow=Yagurazawa's Yuuhi no Ryuu (Waterfall of dusk), Minamiashigara City

According to legend, Yuuhi no Ryuu (Yagurazawa, Minamiashigara City) is the site of Kintaro's first bath. On the 1st, the prayer event, “The opening of Yuuhi no Ryuu” was held for hikers and river goers visiting during the summer.

Organized by the city's tourism association, this marks the 46th occasion of the event. Through the reverberation of a horagai, a Yamabushi of the Mount Akiba Ryōgaku Temple (Itabashi, Odawara city), performed a ritual for the safety of vacation-goers. A great cheer arose from spectators and families as he faced the waterfall, firing an arrow at its surface.

Yuuhi no Ryuu is 23 meters long and 5 meters wide. The surrounding area contains the "vacation rock," wild animals and the ruins of houses, making it a popular vacationing spot. The area has been handed down through folklore as the spot Kintaro was raised at.

Original Text:

金太郎ゆかりの滝で、夏の安全祈る「夕日の滝びらき」/南足柄

2012年7月2日

観光客の安全を祈願し、矢を放つ山伏＝南足柄市矢倉沢の夕日の滝

金太郎が産湯を使ったと伝えられる南足柄市矢倉沢の「夕日の滝」で１日、夏のハイキングや川遊びの安全を祈願する「夕日の滝びらき」が行われた。

市観光協会の主催で46回目。ほら貝の音が響く中、秋葉山量覚院（小田原市板橋）の山伏が行楽客の安全を祈願。滝に向けて矢を放つ場面では、集まった関係者や家族連れらから大きな歓声が上がった。

 夕日の滝は高さ約23メートル、幅約５メートル。周辺には生家跡や動物たちと遊んだ「遊び石」など、金太郎にちなんだ伝承が残る。

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。

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。

Vowing to improve with the bow in the New Year! Novice archery meeting at Prince Hill Park, Ōtsu

Translated from the original article at: http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20120104-00000015-san-l25

(Distributed by the Sankei Newspaper on January 4th, 7:55AM)

Caption: Participants focus their gaze and ready their bows.  At the novice archery event of Prince Hill Park in Ōtsu city (Picture: Sankei Newspaper)

On the 3rd, the year's very first novice archery event was held, with participants vowing to improve their skills.  Held at Prince Hill Park of Ōtsu city, archery enthusiasts gathered. Transfixed on their target and about to release their bows, a sense of the new was in the air.

The novice archery meeting is a traditional event of the New Year. An open exhibition held each year by the prefecture's archery federation; the event appeared to be thriving. This year, wearing short sleeved kimonos, 83 young adults, experienced practitioners and others participated.

First, 10 people lined up in a single row. Using the standard for these events, a 36 inch diameter target from 28 meters away, participants were challenged to aim and release their arrow in a graceful movement.

Afterwards, the Chinese zodiac of the dragon was drawn on folding fans and the targets for additional entertainment. From within the venue, depending on the accuracy of the arrow's landing, cheers from spectators arose.

Among the participants, the youngest is a first year archery club member of the Ōtsu commercial school of Minamishiga, Ōtsu city. Yagi Yuusei (Age 15) said: "The difference from the school club with all of the spectators had me feeling nervous. At this year's event, I will do my best to get good results."

Original Text

新年に弓の上達誓う！皇子が丘公園で「初射会」　大津

産経新聞 1月4日(水)7時55分配信

初射会で参加者は真剣な眼差しで弓を引いた＝大津市の皇子が丘公園（写真：産経新聞）

今年最初の矢を射って弓道の上達を誓う「初射会」が３日、大津市の皇子が丘公園で開かれ、集まった弓道愛好家らは、真剣なまなざしで弓を引き、気持ちを新たにしていた。

初射会は新春の伝統行事。県弓道連盟が毎年開催し、にぎわいをみせている。今年は振り袖を着た新成人や熟練者など８３人が参加した。

始めに１０人１列に並び、通常の大会で使う直径３６センチの的を２８メートル離れて狙う「一手謝礼」に挑戦。

その後、干支・辰の絵を描いた的や扇子を狙う余興もあり、会場からは矢が的中する度に歓声が上がっていた。

参加者の中で最年少だった大津市南志賀の大津商業高弓道部１年、八木祐星さん（１５）は「部活と違ってたくさんの観客がいて緊張した。今年は大会でいい成績を出せるように頑張ります」と話していた。