KISHA: Japanese mounted archery
With thanks to Terence Woolley for allowing us to use
his references
History
It is believed that mounted archery was introduced to Japan by a Mongolian
tribe which invaded from the Korean peninsula around 300-400AD. Their superior
battle techniques soon overcame the unmounted native peoples, and they took
control of the main island. When the first Shogun, Minamoto Yorimoto, set
down strict chivalric codes at the end of the 12th century the warrior class
of samurai was introduced to Japan, and part of the training for young samurai
was the displays of mounted archery held at the shrines dedicated to the
Gods of the Shogun's clan. Horsearchery fell into disuse during the period
of Civil war (1490-1600) when larger armies and firearms were involved.
It was revived by the 8th Tokukawa Shogun in the early 18th century, and
the style of Yabusame which we see today was developed (Yoshimune Ryu).
Banned with all other martial arts during the American occupation after WWII, the Yabusame Festivals were soon reintroduced, and two schools now practice this ancient skill: the Takeda and the Ogasawara schools. Meetings take place at Festivals and shrines, and are both a religious ceremony and a tourist attraction.
Japan is unique in maintaining an ancient horsearchery tradition. In particular the historic continuity provided by the Ogasawara family, whose ancestor Ogasawara Nagakiyo drew up the samurai code for the first Shogun. Other cultures are now rediscovering this aspect of their own martial history.
Styles of Kisha
Yabusamé is the form of japanese horseback archery which is
still practised and most often seen nowadays: it involves three targets
(mato) set along a straight track. The Ogasawara school shot at cedar
targets on bamboo poles whch shatter and fall to the ground when hit.
Futatsu mato Yabusamé: As above, but using two targets.
Umayumi: similar to the above, this involved five targets: this was
performed before the Emperor in the early Nara period (710-784) by members
of the Imperial Guard.
Kasagake (hat-piercing)target is 10-20m from track and a whistling
arrow is used.
Inu oumono: dog chasing within a circular compound, using blunt arrowheads
Three target cluster: a form of practice in full armour, not used ceremonially,
so detailed records hard to find: the targets were set angled for the approach,
side and backward shot.
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