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

Being a special longbow, the 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.

Yabusame series, photo 10 of 12.

If you want to read the entire article about the competition of Yabusame, just click HERE

EXIF: Pentax K-3 + smc DA 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AL IF DC WR – 115mm – 1/1000s – f/6.7 – ISO200