Kasagake Shinji: Japanese Horseback Archery at Kamigamo Shrine

Performed at Kamigamo Shrine in October, Kasagake Archery is one of the three original styles of archery performed for the entertainment of shrine deities in Japan. The nature of the shooting at this event harkens back to the practice drills performed by archers in the days of Japans warring period, recreated today as part of a religious offering. This ritual is performed by participants from the Takedaryu school of mounted archery, which has a long and interesting history. As opposed to the more commo