Uploaded August 2016 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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Every year in May Kyoto begins to buzz with excitement as the Aoi Matsuri (Hollyhock Festival), one of the three biggest festivals in the city, draws near. Though the festival procession itself falls on the 15th of the month, various rituals and ceremonial preparations begin to take place from the first week of May, drawing thousands of visitors and worshippers from around the country and from abroad. Centered on the Kamo Shrines, Shimogamo Shrine and Kamigamo Shrine, the fesitivites range from sedate purification rituals to high-paced horse races.

On May 3rd at Shimogamo Shrine, one of these prepatory events occurs within the green canapy of the Tadasu no Mori forest leading up to the shrine proper from 1pm. The Yabusame Shinji, or Mounted Archery Ritual, is conducted to pray for the safety of the procession and purify the parade route. Performed by archers of the Ogasawara school, a style that traces its history back about 850 years, riders thunder down a 500m lane firing arrows at three targets along the way. Each time an archer hit the target a cheer springs up from the assembled crowd, and the sound of thundering hoofbeats growing closer and closer let people know something exciting is about to happen. If you're in town for Golden Week or the Aoi Matsuri, be sure not to miss this dynamic ritual and display of martial prowess!