Yabusame Archery Rite at Sugawara Shrine

About

Every New Year, Sugawara Shrine in Kitakoyasu, Kimitsu, which honors Sugawara no Michizane, Yamato Takeru and Homudawake, holds an archery rite to divine the year ahead. After the priest recites prayers and offers a sacred branch, arrows are loosed at a target in the grounds, and how many land in its white and black areas predicts the year's weather and crops. The bow, arrows and target are all newly made at a ceremony the day before; the target, of woven bamboo covered with paper, is set to face that year's lucky direction, and fresh straw is spread between it and the archers. The young male attendants called wakato shoot first, then the priest, the neighborhood association head and the shrine representatives. Tradition says the local lord of the Genroku era began the rite to promote martial arts and pray for good harvests. It is an intangible folk cultural property of Kimitsu City, carried on by the Kitakoyasu Yabusame Preservation Society, and you can watch for free.

Sources

• OfficialKimitsu City www.city.kimitsu.lg.jp
• OfficialChiba Prefectural Tourism & Local Products Association (Chiba Tourism Navi) maruchiba.jp

Last checked: Oct 11, 2026. Event information is based on official announcements, but changes may not always be reflected here. Please check each official website for accurate details.

Other events this month

• Kokufudai Tsujikiri (Straw Serpent Ritual)
• Tai Kuyo Benten Festival (Sea Bream Memorial Rite)