Bow

Kiyotada Ogasawara

31st Generation Head of the Ogasawara School of Archery and Horsemanship, 1966 Commerce

Stepping off the train at Kamakura Station and walking along Dankazura, the sound of festival drums can be heard. Today, Yabusame (horseback archery) is being held at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu. Crossing the Genpei Pond, the sense of tension increases even now.

In 1187, by order of Minamoto no Yoritomo, the founder of our family, Ogasawara Nagakiyo, was called back to Kamakura and became a Kyuho (archery and etiquette) instructor. On August 15 of that year, at the Hojoe (ritual for releasing captive animals) of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, the first Yabusame for the Genji clan was performed.

While Yabusame had been performed as a court ritual that was ornate and delicate yet strictly followed historical precedents, it was redefined as a simple and sturdy new samurai ritual, omitting what could be omitted.

Being chosen as an archer for this Hojoe Yabusame seems to have been the greatest pride for a samurai. According to the "Azuma Kagami," when Kumagai Naozane was ordered to set up the targets, he refused because the archers were on horseback while the target setters were on foot, arguing there was a disparity in status. As a result, part of his territory was confiscated.

Today, it is held every year on September 16. Until my son began serving as a Yabusame archer, I also served as one, but this year my grandson entered the third grade of elementary school and served in the Yabusame alongside my son. I watched over them quietly from the spectator seats.

Masashi Fujimoto

Auditor, Kumamoto Nichinichi Shimbun, 1984 Law

Minamoto no Tametomo, a military commander of the Heian period, is known as a master archer, and legends remain in Kumamoto. When he took up a position at Kiharayama near Kumamoto City, he shot down wild geese flying over the mountain one after another, so the geese began to take a long detour. From this, Kiharayama came to be called "Gankaizan" (Goose-Turning Mountain).

Perhaps due to Tametomo's influence, the Higo Hosokawa clan put great effort into Kyujutsu (archery), and there were dedicated arrow makers. Even now, Kumamoto has a company that boasts the top domestic production share of arrows for Kyudo, and in competitions, they have repeatedly won national championships across various age groups. It might not be an exaggeration to say that the "legend" became the "power" that connects to the future.

I believe the richness of a region is based on human bonds and attachment to the local area. Therefore, what is important is how many people know about regional issues and those in need, and how much they can take these matters as their own. Thinking this way, the role of local newspapers is significant. Although in a difficult position due to the pressure of SNS, the reliability of information and the ability to see various articles at a glance are the strengths of newspapers. I want to be a presence that stays close to the region through articles and discourse with "power" like the Tametomo legend, spreading empathy and leading to action through local roots.

Jun Komotori

Professor, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University

When I say, "There is no Kyudo club at Keio University," most people look surprised. Certainly, there is a Kyudo training hall at the back of the Hiyoshi Campus, and it might be natural to think that a "Kyudo Club" practices there. However, among the 44 clubs in the Keio University Athletic Association, it is the "Kyujutsu Club," not the "Kyudo Club."

Originally, Japanese martial arts seem to have started as "jutsu" (techniques). In the late Taisho period, when a name change from "Bujutsu" to "Budo" was encouraged, the active members and instructors at the time reached a conclusion after careful consideration: the Keio students' engagement with the "bow" is not a "do" (way) to be pursued eternally, but rather there is significance in mastering the "jutsu" (technique). As a result of Keio University following its own path, the name became the Kyujutsu Club instead of the Kyudo Club, which I feel is very characteristic of Keio.

Finally, I would like to add one thing. In putting together this short manuscript, I received much advice from my fellow members of the Kyujutsu Club from my student days. This article is truly a product of Keio Gijuku Shachu cooperation, worthy of the name "Shachu Kokan."

Nanae Sugiyama

Teacher, Keio Chutobu Junior High School; Advisor, "Weather, Astronomy, and Biology Club"

In the Meiji era, Sagittarius was called "Archer" (the person who pulls the bow). Even though we say a "person" who pulls the bow, Chiron of Sagittarius is a half-man, half-beast from Greek mythology holding a bow. Although his mother lamented his appearance when he was born (sadly), Chiron was extremely talented among the Centaurs, studying not only medical sciences and pharmacology but also prophecy and the arts. He was a virtuous half-beast who was good at hunting, taught martial arts to his companions, and served as a tutor to the heroes appearing in myths, and he even possessed the power of immortality.

However, one day, a poisoned arrow shot by his disciple Hercules accidentally hit Chiron. Chiron had to endure the pain of the poison forever. No matter how excellent he was, he could not bear it, so he passed his immortality to his disciple Prometheus and chose death. It is said that Zeus, Chiron's brother, mourned his death and placed him in the heavens as a constellation.

Since it has been decided that constellation names should be written in katakana or hiragana, it is now "Ite-za," and seeing it written with the kanji for "Archer" (射手座) is likely only in horoscopes nowadays.