Being a Saggitarius, I am a little partial to horseback archery... so 2 weeks ago I made the trek out to my old hometown in the Fujigoko district in Yamanashi Prefecture, for the annual Katsuyama Yabusame Matsuri. Katsuyama sits on the banks of kawaguchiko, and it was a glorious day for the festival which celebrates traditional Japanese horseback archery. Yabusame is pronounced Ya-boo-sa-me (with a short e sound) for those of you who may not know much about Japanese phonics. It's the second time I've been to this festival (every April 29). It was great to get back to the old district and catch up with old friends, especially the lake herself. It actually felt like a sort of homecoming. Quite nostalgic.
As part of the effort to get to know my new system, I did a huge bunch of editing and uploading to the gallery - I know the site is way overdue for some new material so, without further ado, please check out the new Yabusame gallery.
frangipani wrote this on May 7, 2005 4:25 PM
Uncle Don said:
Yabusame, the heart of fuedal Japan, man and beast as one, steeped in tradition, beautiful photographs. You must go to Kamakura next time.
On May 7, 2005 9:28 PM,
bill mollenhauer said:
Thanks for the neat festival pictures. We are going to Japan at the end of this summer and they were just one more thing in our attempt to learn about Japan before we go. My son's wife is from Yamanashi and I am sure he would have enjoyed it.
I will have to ask them why they did not go. Probably because they went to Vietnam for Golden Week. And got sick from the food!
Thank you for the website and teaching me more about Japan.
Bill
On May 8, 2005 4:12 AM,
nicole1980 said:
Fantastic photos, Martine.
I felt like I was transported back in time in feudal Japan. You've captured the festival brilliantly.
And it's so nice to see that such traditions are maintained in Japan, where they have been lost in other parts of the world.
On May 8, 2005 4:12 PM,
frangipani said:
jonny, i think were maybe 8 or 10 whiteys all up. myself included.
don, yes, i really want to go to the kamakura yabusame.
bill, domo arigato.
nic, i totally agree. i love historical culture and traditions like these.
On May 8, 2005 8:36 PM,
Kikko Man said:
That's what I've been waiting for! It's so bizare that the asthetic pleasure portion of one's daily net surf can actually be so dependent on some Aussie stranger on the other side of the globe. Thank you for your photos. Glad your posting more. Your galleries are always fantastic.
The reincactment stuff is amazing but especially the horse-back archery. They look so damn sharp!
On May 9, 2005 11:46 AM,
Ann said:
Thanks for sharing your pictures! Kikko Man and nicole1980 have said what I think.
Fabulous! I am green with envy of where you live and your talent.
Ann
On May 11, 2005 12:28 PM,
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