Yabusame is the traditional horse archery of Japan. It is still practiced in locations all over the country.
We went to Ibaraki to a horse archery school deep in the forest. It turns out the family have been doing it for generations and indeed represent Japan at international competitions.
In the rather lucky shot below you can actually see an arrow in mid flight.
It's is obviously not an easy thing to do. In the competitions you ride along a path and shoot series of arrows at targets as you hurtle past. The arrows are stuffed down your trousers for easy access, although apparently some people still use quivers.
The women of the family were simply astounding to watch on both their speed and accuracy.
They couldn't have been nicer or more friendly and helpful.
It was such an interesting day amongst a traditonal family, who seem to like Western cowboy gear and indeed were playing lonesome cowboy music to their horses in the stables.
What a marvellous country this is.
