Comments on: Horse Archery in Aso http://edpas.net/journal/109/ Art, Photos, Cross-Cultural Miscellany, and Food Tue, 07 Jun 2011 00:49:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: A.K. http://edpas.net/journal/109/comment-page-1/#comment-5671 A.K. Sat, 24 Jul 2010 02:58:59 +0000 http://edpas.net/bog/109#comment-5671 They are skilled enough to remain on their mounts probably because they have been training since they were young. The sport though dwindling in modern times is an ancient practice since the mid 5th century onwards after horse-riding and warrior skills were introduced via the Korean-and-Han-Chinese immigrants who passed on these Altaic-Mongolian skills on mounted archery to Japan. There remain traditional horse centers in Japan which are remnants of the once flourishing horse nurturing areas that are also incidentally the strongholds of samurai training. Some horse centers are associated with ancient shrines dedicated to horse longetivity or horse deities, or shrines closely connected to Hachiman god history. These skills are still passed down and are taught to school kids in the vicinity. They are skilled enough to remain on their mounts probably because they have been training since they were young. The sport though dwindling in modern times is an ancient practice since the mid 5th century onwards after horse-riding and warrior skills were introduced via the Korean-and-Han-Chinese immigrants who passed on these Altaic-Mongolian skills on mounted archery to Japan. There remain traditional horse centers in Japan which are remnants of the once flourishing horse nurturing areas that are also incidentally the strongholds of samurai training. Some horse centers are associated with ancient shrines dedicated to horse longetivity or horse deities, or shrines closely connected to Hachiman god history. These skills are still passed down and are taught to school kids in the vicinity.

]]> By: Ed http://edpas.net/journal/109/comment-page-1/#comment-115 Ed Sun, 01 May 2005 12:21:27 +0000 http://edpas.net/bog/109#comment-115 Anita, there were many grizzled old crones in the crowd at this event. There's striving, and then there's the appearance of striving. I don't know if there's an equivalent Baba Yaga story here, and even though it wasn't intentional, I'm glad I finally managed to post something that got a reaction from you. Anita, there were many grizzled old crones in the crowd at this event. There’s striving, and then there’s the appearance of striving. I don’t know if there’s an equivalent Baba Yaga story here, and even though it wasn’t intentional, I’m glad I finally managed to post something that got a reaction from you.

]]> By: Ed http://edpas.net/journal/109/comment-page-1/#comment-114 Ed Sun, 01 May 2005 12:18:31 +0000 http://edpas.net/bog/109#comment-114 Pat: after seeing how intensely the various clubs—including a traditional Japanese archery club—at my school practice, you probably wouldn't wonder where they find the time. Most people here have one hobby, and it consumes all of their leisure time. As for your other questions, I'm not sure but I can l look into it. Pat: after seeing how intensely the various clubs—including a traditional Japanese archery club—at my school practice, you probably wouldn’t wonder where they find the time. Most people here have one hobby, and it consumes all of their leisure time. As for your other questions, I’m not sure but I can l look into it.

]]> By: Anita Verlangen http://edpas.net/journal/109/comment-page-1/#comment-113 Anita Verlangen Thu, 28 Apr 2005 16:35:06 +0000 http://edpas.net/bog/109#comment-113 .....separate poppy seeds from ashes....indeed!!! Any Baba Yaga types lurking around the horse archery area? It seems the Japanese like to engage in "Mission Impossible" type activities striving for absolute excellence. I wonder if there's a Japanese version of the Baba Yaga/Vasalisa story. Just imagine the extreme tasks....I wonder what the doll would look like.... I'm enjoying your blogs Ed. I couldn't let that refernce go without a comment.... Anita AKA the doll …..separate poppy seeds from ashes….indeed!!! Any Baba Yaga types lurking around the horse archery area? It seems the Japanese like to engage in “Mission Impossible” type activities striving for absolute excellence. I wonder if there’s a Japanese version of the Baba Yaga/Vasalisa story. Just imagine the extreme tasks….I wonder what the doll would look like….

I’m enjoying your blogs Ed. I couldn’t let that refernce go without a comment….

Anita AKA the doll

]]> By: Pat Tondevold http://edpas.net/journal/109/comment-page-1/#comment-110 Pat Tondevold Thu, 28 Apr 2005 09:03:45 +0000 http://edpas.net/bog/109#comment-110 How can he possibly remain on the horse? How many riders were injured during training? Where do they keep the broken riders? What kind of a day job do these young men have, that allows them to practise riding and archery twelve hours a day? Are there female riders and archers? Do the riders come from certain families? Is this a religious and spiritual pursuit as well as an athletic activity? Thank you for such a tantalizing entry, Ed. I'll check out archery classes in the morning. How can he possibly remain on the horse? How many riders were injured during training? Where do they keep the broken riders? What kind of a day job do these young men have, that allows them to practise riding and archery twelve hours a day? Are there female riders and archers? Do the riders come from certain families? Is this a religious and spiritual pursuit as well as an athletic activity?

Thank you for such a tantalizing entry, Ed. I’ll check out archery classes in the morning.

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