Yabusame / Kasagake

Yabusame is a Shinto ritual in which archers shoot at targets from galloping horses while praying for peace, abundant harvests, and other blessings. Kasagake, meanwhile, developed as a form of horseback archery training and is more combat-oriented.

Yabusame is said to trace its origins back some 1,500 years to yabaseme, a form of horseback archery practiced during the reign of Emperor Kinmei. The form of yabusame passed down today follows a format established around 800 years ago, during the time of Minamoto no Yoritomo. It has been preserved as a Shinto ritual in which archers shoot at three targets in succession while galloping along a 218-meter riding course, praying for peace, abundant harvests, and good health for all. Unlike yabusame, which involves shooting only at targets directly to the left, kasagake uses techniques such as yundesugai, shooting down to the left, and metesugai, shooting down to the right.

The Japan Equestrian Archery Association preserves the Takeda School of Horseback Archery and its traditional martial rites and etiquette, passing down ancient Japanese riding techniques such as tachisukashi, which keeps the rider’s body steady and minimizes vertical movement. In addition to conducting rituals across Japan, the association gives yabusame performances overseas, working to promote Japanese traditions of archery and horsemanship and pass them on to future generations.