Aoi Matsuri: Horseback Archery at Shimogamo Photo Gallery by Paul Caudill at pbase.com

Aoi Matsuri: Horseback Archery at Shimogamo

The Aoi Matsuri is one of the oldest festivals in Japan, if not the world. While the matsuri is best known for its procession through the city, part of the festivities take place at Shimogamo Shrine, on the southern part of the Kamo-Takano delta. This was a particularly exciting event, as it featured a horseback archery competition. Horseback archery is one of Japan's oldest martial arts, and it was fascinating to see modern day practitioners engage in such a test of skill.

The first part of the competition involved a race.	Looking down the racetrack	Eager observers (note the Japanese flag in the background - very unusual to see one of these in public)



		Riding hard
			The riders would proceed down the track at full gallop and attempt to hit a wooden target
Judges checking the results.
		A very challenging business indeed.

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