Every Spring and Autumn a Yubasame, horse archery, festival is held
at the shrine in Moroyama. Last week on a perfect autumn day we went
along.
The event dates back about 1,000 years and, unusually, in this festival very young boys shoot the first arrows. They are splendidly costumed and chosen to represent the three ancient clans of the area.
It is a great community event with all the usual food stalls and sideshow stands.
I was the only foreigner I saw there amongst the thousands attending.
To begin with there is lots of parading back and forth and bleesing of the area by the priests.
Each of the three boys representing each clan shoots the first arrow for his side.
Then successively more agile and older riders show off their skills.
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