When we were in Japan last year Wilf had us lined up to see a demonstration of horseback mounted archers in one of the parks in Tokyo. In the end the event was held, but with no spectators due to Covid concerns. That was a disappointment.
Not to be deterred Wilf kept checking around and he found a competition that was going to be held in Asakusa in May. In our neighbourhood! While we were there!
The event was sponsored by the city of Taito, in which Asakusa is located. We braved the municipal website, translated info into Japanese as requested and secured two tickets.
Last Saturday dawned sunny and bright, so we got out our hats, sunglasses and sunscreen and headed for the park beside the Sumida River. We were able to claim our wristbands and souvenir tote bags and found ourselves a spot across from target number two. It was blazing hot, so like most people we put our things on our chairs and then retreated to the shade until things got going.
Long ago archers on horseback were a part of warfare, and there were archers at this competition representing two different periods in Japanese history. With the advance of longer range weapons the use of archers faded away and the practice nearly died out. But it was associated with the practice of Shinto, and held on through the ages.
There were about a dozen archers for the competition, and a much larger number of other participants. There were the officials who judged. Each of the three targets had attendants who gathered the arrow and replaced the targets. All of this was done with great solemnity.
Here is the parade of archers and officials.
Each archer would attempt to hit three targets on each pass. They would be more or less standing in the stirrups, controlling the horse with their knees while knocking and firing the arrow with a very big bow. A lot happens very quickly.
The archer has just clipped the target and you can see the arrow bouncing back – it is just above the horses rear flank.
When the target get hits like that a totally destroyed a packet of confetti on the back is released to prove that it was a serious hit!
Racing past the officials aiming for the target!
It was a very interesting day and we sure got an opportunity to appreciate the training of both the archers and the horses. And another example of events in the community that involve a large number of people to make it all happen.
Many thanks to the hard work of the competitors, and to the city of Taito for making it happen!
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