An archery contest

On the 15th we went to see an archery contest at Sanjusangendo temple in Kyoto. There has been an annual contest held at the same location since 1606, although the format has changed greatly since that time. The current format has each contestant (of which there are a few thousand) shoot two arrows at a target 60m away.

The most immediately noticable things about the event was the complete lack of infrastructure in place for the crowds. There was a barrier preventing people getting in the line of fire, and a little bit of roofing, and pretty much that was it. People pressed in to get a view, and many had brought step-ladders with them, which made it impossible to see anything except the odd whizzing arrow.

Hunty and I joined the back of the press of people, and began the protracted effort of trying to see. Initially, we saw only arrows, and I could make out a little bit if I held my camera up over the heads of the people in front. Every time someone in front of us left, we pushed forward along with everyone else around and behind us, trying to work our way forward. At one point, after I asked a young guy on a step-ladder to take a photo for me, we were both given an opportunity to stand on the ladder and actually see the contestants with our own eyes.

It was icy cold outside, but with people pressed up and pushing against us from all sides, we were getting pretty warm. Gradually, we worked our way forwards. Hunty spent an hour and a half with me, after which time he decided that enough was enough. He'd seen a bit of archery, and needed breathing space. I lasted another half an hour, by which time I had managed to work my way far enough forward that I only had three people in my line of sight, all of whom were shorter than me. Woo-hoo.

The main part of the competition is the young competitors, all of whom turned 20 in the past year, and have just celebrated Coming of Age. The young people are followed by a Masters' event, which we didn't stay around for, mostly because my camera had run out of charge. The young people's event is further subdivided by gender. The men's event is first, and attracts a reasonable amount of attention. However, it is the women's event that attracts the crowds. A few days before the event was the Coming of Age Ceremony, and all the girls dressed up in beautiful kimonos. Competitors will re-wear this kimono with special pants on the the bottom to improve movement, and finish it off with elaborate hairdos, and frequently full make-up. In my opinion, this adds up to a spectacular combination of grace, beauty, and deadliness.

A few photos snapped between the heads of the people in front of me are below:

Entrants waiting for their turn