The Yabusame archer loses the balance and falls from his horse.

Due to the complexity of riding the horse and take aim on the target while standing up on the stirrups, falling from the horse is a concrete possibility for the yabusame archer. Losing the balance is a matter of a fraction of second. Moreover, if the horse is nervous the ride is even harder. Luckily, in this case, the archer has fallen just a few centimeters beyond the poles and he didn’t report any injury. The jury is watching the scene with worry…

 

This shot belongs to the award-winning series in the PX3 Prix de la photographie 2014 edition: “Yabusame” – Bronze medal – Category Press/Performing arts

 

You can find the full blog post about the japanese traditional horse mounted archery at the following page: Yabusame, the japanese horse mounted archery

 

The Yabusame archer, standing on his legs, tightens the Yumi bow as he approaches the target.

Being a special longbow, the Yabusame archer has to tighten it above his head and then align the arm to the eyes just before shooting the arrow. It’s a very difficult position to keep, while standing on a running horse. During the act of shooting, called “hanare”, the archer shouts “In You” that means “Yin and Yang, Darkness and Light”, the two opposite forces of the universe. Shouting these words, the archer focuses all his spiritual energies inside the arrow that, through the Yumi, is thrown to the source of the Universe, the true essence of Buddha.

 

You can find the full blog post about the japanese traditional horse mounted archery at the following page: Yabusame, the japanese horse mounted archery

 

The Yabusame archer, standing on his running horse, shoots the arrow.

The judges and thei assistant evaluate carefully the performance of the challenger. The archer is maintaining a correct posture and his balance is perfect. In this picture is possible to see the typical asymmetric shape of the Yumi longbow. Moreover, this archer is wearing a hat named “Ayahigasa”, different from the other one already seen in a previous shot. In this case the protection for the legs “Mukabaki” is not made of deer’s leather, but rather of decorated japanese silk.

 

You can find the full blog post about the japanese traditional horse mounted archery at the following page: Yabusame, the japanese horse mounted archery

 

One of the challenging Yabusame archers hits the target, mantaining a perfect posture on his horse.

The arrow with the V-shaped prong strikes loudly the wooden target, splitting it in two halves. This is the second hit; if the archer will hit the third target, placed at a distance of 70 meters, he will accomplish his challenge, obtaining honour and respect and will please the gods.

 

This shot belongs to the award-winning series in the PX3 Prix de la photographie 2014 edition: “Yabusame” – Bronze medal – Category Press/Performing arts

 

You can find the full blog post about the japanese traditional horse mounted archery at the following page: Yabusame, the japanese horse mounted archery

 

EXIF: Pentax K-3 + smc DA 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AL IF DC WR – 115mm – 1/1000s – f/5.6 – ISO200

One of the challengers of the Yabusame competition concentrates before his ride.

The entire ride will last just about 20 seconds, but this discipline requires many skills and concentration is an essential factor. In this close up is possible to have a clear view on some of the traditional elements of the archer’s clothing: the hat, named “Onigasa”; the left part of the upper clothing, named “Igote” serves as protection for the arm that holds the Yumi longbow; the lower part, made of deer’s leather and named “Mukabaki”, protects the legs.

 

This shot belongs to the award-winning series in the PX3 Prix de la photographie 2014 edition: “Yabusame” – Bronze medal – Category Press/Performing arts

 

You can find the full blog post about the japanese traditional horse mounted archery at the following page: Yabusame, the japanese horse mounted archery