A Calvary guards the way home. Two Kyoto Prefecture Police horses watch over Seijin Elementary School

Translated from the original article at: http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20130606-00010000-rtn-l26

Transmitted at 4:53 PM on Friday, June 6 by the Ryoutan Daily Shinbun

Watching over children on their way home from school, Vice-Captain Kouboku and horse Daimonji

In an effort to watch over the safety of children, a mounted patrol visited an elementary school in the Metropolitan area of Kyoto, during the time period in which students return home. On the 5th, the Heian Calvary of the prefecture’s police headquarters visited Seijin Elementary School of Nakasakacho, Fukuchiyama City. (Containing 378 students, Taniguchi Tadateru is the school's president) There, at the roads leading to and from the school, the police watched over the children on their way home.

Among a group of 5 police, Calvary Vice Captain Kouboku Mahito visited the school with 12 year Atago and 19 year old Daimonji, both coming from barracks located in the ward of Sakyō. First, the children got to take in the sight of the Calvary performing training drills on the school playground.

Matching the cavalrymen’s instructions, both horses would change directions while in mid-gallop, surprising everyone. The children's eyes lit up while watching.

Afterwards, Daimonji patrolled around the school area as the children were returning home. Mounted on Daimonji, Vice Commander Kouboku gently told them "Be careful while returning home."

"The horse was huge and formidable. The way it moved precisely according to command, I thought it was amazing," said fourth grader Obata Kengo.

Original text:

騎馬隊に守られ下校　成仁小学校に京都府警から2頭

両丹日日新聞 6月6日(木)16時53分配信

児童たちの下校を見守る大文字号と高木副隊長

子どもの安全を守る活動として、下校時間帯に京都府内の小学校を訪問し、騎馬パトロールを行っている府警本部の平安騎馬隊が5日、福知山市中坂町の成仁小学校（谷口忠輝校長、378人）を訪れ、通学路で児童らの下校を見守った。

12歳の愛宕号と19歳の大文字号の馬2頭、騎馬隊の高木真人副隊長ら5人が、左京区の隊舎から訪問。初めに児童たちは、運動場で騎馬隊の訓練風景を見学した。

隊員の指示に合わせ、2頭そろって方向転換したり、駆け足になったりする姿に、みんなびっくり。目を輝かせて見入っていた。

 　

このあと大文字号が、児童たちの下校に合わせて学校周辺をパトロール。騎乗していた高木副隊長が「気をつけて帰んねんで」と、児童たちに優しく声をかける場面もあった。

4年の小畑賢冴君は「馬は大きくて、迫力があった。指示をちゃんと聞いて動いていたので、すごいと思いました」と話していた。

(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。

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。

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。

Galloping through a tunnel of cherry blossoms. The viewing season for cherry trees arrives at a horse ranch/Atsugi

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1204100027/

April 11, 2012

Surrounded by Yoshino Cherry Blossoms, race horses run ever vigorously around the course=The Takagi Horse Ranch of Kamiogino, Atsugi City

At the Takagi Horse Ranch of Kamiogino, Atsugi City, the viewing season for Cherry Blossoms has arrived. The horses take increasingly fast gallops on a 650 meter course, surrounded by Yoshino Cherry Blossoms.

Originally from other ranches, the active thoroughbreds are now under the care of Takagi Ranch, being trained and adjusting before their debut as race horses. Next, they’ll arrive at the Japan RacingAssociation's Miho Training Center (Ibaraki Prefecture), which will take over responsibility for them.

Presently, there are 30 horses at the facility being held for debut, including a two year old. Farm Manager Takagi Shunsuke (34) commented (Here, the atmosphere is calm and water is purer. The horses are able to refresh their mind and body." Visits to the facility are not available to the general public.

Original text:

桜のトンネル駆け抜ける、競走馬育成牧場でも見ごろ/厚木

2012年4月11日

勢いよくソメイヨシノに囲まれた周回コースを駆け抜ける競走馬＝厚木市上荻野、高木競走馬育成牧場

厚木市上荻野の高木競走馬育成牧場で、桜が見ごろを迎えている。競走馬が勢いよく、ソメイヨシノに囲まれた周回コース約６５０メートルを駆け抜ける。

同牧場では現役馬の調整や調教のほか生産牧場から預かったデビュー前のサラブレッドを競走馬として育て、日本中央競馬会（ＪＲＡ）の美浦トレーニングセンター（茨城県）に引き継ぐ役割を担う。

現在、デビューを控えた２歳馬を含め、厩舎（きゅうしゃ）には30頭いる。場長の高木俊介さん（34）は「ここは静かで空気や水もよく、馬にとっては心身ともにリフレッシュできる」と話していた。一般の人は見学はできない。

Accompanied by kindergarteners, Taishuu Horses once again carry goods along Nagasaki’s steep roads.

Translated from the original article at: http://nagasaki.keizai.biz/headline/424/

March 13, 2012

On the narrow roads of Irabayashi City, Satoko the Taishuu Horse carries a load with all her might. (Photo provided by Yukihide Takahashi)

On March 10, along a stretch of the Irabayashi area of Kawasaki, an event was held which saw the reemergence of the Taishuu horse performing labor. The event was planned by illustrator Ejima Tatsuya and the Kawasaki Taishuu Horse Aid Group.

The Kawasaki Taishuu Horse Aid Group smiles as they arrive in front of the statue of Sakamoto Ryōma at Kaze Gashira Park. (Photo provided by Yukihide Takahashi)

From the course’s departing point at the first Torri Gate of Wakamiya Inari Temple, the horse and it’s group passed by the temple and the Kamayamashachuu Memorial Museum before arriving at the sloped roads of the Sakamoto Ryōma statue. Continuing through narrow hills  and stairs, Satoko (a breed of Taishuu Horse) carried 200 picture books which weighed in at 35 kilograms (77 pounds) to a cafe in Oomura City.

"Keep going!" yelled voices of support along the road. Satoko's mane shook as she climbed the steep stairway one foot at a time. Residents of Irabayashi could be heard saying "I’m happy to see this again." Non-suspecting tourists appeared surprised by the sudden appearance of the horse, it being said that people from outside of the prefecture doing sightseeing requested pictures. Inside the ground of the Wakamiya Inari temple, children of the Wakamiya Nursery School on an exchange program touched the horse as they mounted it.

The practice of using horses to transport items has been retired since 2009. The sight of them traveling Nagasaki's hills then disappeared. In the past, horses travelling the hills of Nagasaki were a usual part of the scenery, with people spending their days in charge of horses transporting nearly 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of building materials. For Satoko, this was her first experience. During the training before hand, it was said she appeared scared trying to traverse the steep roads.

"It was common for us to view such scenery. We relied on the horses' work and involvement in the area. Enduring the time when we couldn't see them was painful. Although Satoko appeared scared and uneasy during training, today, we're deeply touched to see her navigating the tight slopes beyond our expectations. Maybe the news of Satoko's perseverance could also spread to the people of North-East Japan." said Ejima. "After this, we're scheduled to revise and continue this event. While we’re considering horses traveling the hills of Nagasaki in the future, we're concerned about the decreasing numbers of Taishuu horses and want to get involved if the chance presents itself.

Original text:

長崎の坂道で対州馬の荷運びを再現－園児たちとの交流も

（2012年03月13日)

伊良林の狭い道を懸命に歩く対州馬の里子（写真提供＝高橋幸秀さん）

長崎の伊良林地区一帯で3月10日、対州馬（たいしゅうば）で荷物を運ぶ姿を再現するイベントが行われた。長崎のイラストレーター江島達也さんら「長崎対州馬応援団」が企画した。

【画像】風頭公園の龍馬之像前に笑顔で到着した「長崎対州馬応援団」（写真提供＝高橋幸秀さん）

コースは若宮稲荷神社の第1鳥居付近を出発し、途中若宮稲荷神社、亀山社中記念館前を通り風頭公園の龍馬之像までの坂道。細い坂や階段が続く道を、大村市のカフェで飼育されている対州馬の里子（さとこ）が約35キロの絵本200冊を背負って歩いた。

「頑張れ」という沿道の声援に応えるように急な階段をたてがみを揺らしながら一歩一歩駆け上がる里子に、伊良林の住人からは「懐かしい」という言葉も聞かれた。居合わせた観光客は、突然表れた馬に驚いた表情を見せた。県外から見学や撮影に訪れた人もいたという。若宮稲荷神社の境内では、若宮保育園の園児たちとの交流もあり里子の体に触れたり背にまたがるなどした。

2009年に荷運びをする馬方が引退して以来、長崎の坂から馬の姿が消えた。かつて100キロ近い建築資材などを担いで長崎の坂道を馬が歩く風景は、長崎で暮らす人にとって当たり前の光景だったが、里子にとっては初めての経験。事前練習したときは坂道を怖がるそぶりを見せたという。

「私たちが当たり前のように見ていた光景は、馬方と馬が信頼関係を結び、忍耐を持って働いていた姿だったことを痛感した。練習で怖がる里子の姿に不安があったが、当日、期待以上に張り切って坂道を歩く里子に感動した。里子が頑張る姿が東北の人にもニュースなどで伝われば」と江島さん。「今後も場所を変えてイベントを継続する予定。馬の姿を通して坂の町長崎の将来を考えたり、頭数が減る対州馬へ関心を向ける機会になれば」と話す。

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。