Traditional Equipment and Outfit for Yabusame (Japanese Horseback Archery)

[Iaido dude]

Recently, I have been researching the traditional equipment (specialized bow/arrows, saddle, horse whip) and outfit (clothing, swords) related to the practice of yabusame. Here, I would like to document what I have learned as well as what I have personally acquired over time in order to both be able to train at home in yabusame on a wooden horse, and to experience the feeling of wearing the traditional "hunting" outfit along with swords.

 

Here is what yabusame looks like and the equipment and clothing that is traditionally worn:

 

    

 

Let's start with the outfit. Enouboshi (1) is a traditional samurai fabric hat, which is not practical to wear except for under a kabuto helmet. For the style of Ayaigasa I will be using, the Enouboshi is too long and trailing in the back.

 

 

I managed to find a modern reproduction fiberglass Kimen Ayaigasa (2) custom-made in Japan. This highly specialized hat is the traditional headwear of yabusame practitioners. It features the iconic, menacing red Kimen (Demon/Oni face) mounted on the top, which is detachable. The interior features a fully adjustable suspension pad system and secure chin strap to ensure it stays firmly in place during movement. 

 

Edited June 19 by Iaido dude

[Iaido dude]

The suikan (3) is a top that had collar and wrist ties, worn as under armor-attire by samurai during the Heian Period (794–1185). The Shitashimo of Suikan is a hakama with ties at the ankles (4). During the Kamakura Period (1185–1333), it transitioned into standard formal wear for middle-ranking samurai and younger military nobility (buke). By the Muromachi Period (1336–1573) its popularity rapidly declined as samurai aesthetics shifted toward the simpler, more mobile hitatare. By the Edo period, it had largely fallen out of common use. The igote is worn over the left arm and upper body to protect the forearm of the bow arm from being hit by the string (tsuru). The wrist tie hitatare is fastened on the right sleeve to keep the material out of the way when manipulating and shooting the arrow (ya).

 

The same American seller on eBay of the Ayaigasa will be selling me a new custom-made hitatare outfit that has a matching top and hakama along with a left-arm sleeve called an igote. This is the only seller that I have found who is supplying yabusame-related clothing. I also acquired a horse-whip (yumi-guchi) that is fashioned from broken bows (yumi).

 

  

Edited June 20 by Iaido dude

[Bugyotsuji]

Great stuff, Steve. There's a former BA pilot in the UK who used to do Yabusame in Japan, so I wonder if he too still has all this equipment.

 

Not too long ago I found an old Ukiyoe in very sad condition showing Oda Nobunaga wearing just such an Ayaigasa. Later in an online collection I found a good example of the same woodblock print, and was surprised to see just how colourful the original print must have been.

 

 

 

[Iaido dude]

Beautiful, Piers. There is a more contemporary Ukiyoe offered on eBay depicting yabusame, which is not nearly as nice as the one you shared. Who is the artist?

 

[Iaido dude]

I recently acquired a vintage Edo period Utsubo (#5) with the Kuyōmon (九曜紋, nine luminaries crest) representing sun, moon, and seven stars. It was used by the Hosokawa and Soma clans. Arrows are stored with the tip pointed down. The bottom has a cover that is removable for easy access in order to withdraw an arrow for yabusame. I'm replacing all of the missing leather parts used for cushion where the Utsubo rests against the right waist (you can see where the shiny lacquered surface used to be covered). An Obijime waist cord is used in the figure on the right for two other utsubo. I'm using a silk sageo instead, which is the same color as the one in the depiction of an archer in full uniform with Utsubo strapped around the waist. I think that originally, the Utsubo was actually held in place with leather straps. There is also a thin strip of leather that goes over the cover to hold it in place with two clasps when not in use, which I have also replicated from an old unused guitar strap. We'll talk later about the specialized arrows with Manchurian style nocks that I have made.

 

  

 

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Edited June 20 by Iaido dude

[Iaido dude]

Whereas the Utsubo was used by archers on the battle ground, the Kari-Ebira was probably more practical for wearing while on horse back. The one below was custom-made for me by Iron Mountain Armory, featuring the mon used by the Rinzai Zen community (Chosei Zen), where I study with the abbot. It is shown with a set of Japanese hawk feather-fletched arrows. There is something about hawk feathers that makes them so wonderful on arrows. They are more resilient than swan or goose feathers, but still far softer than turkey feathers.

 

Traditionally, arrows with blunt turnip-shaped (jindo-ya) or whistling (kaburi-ya) arrow heads are used to strike the target during competition. In reality, modern yabusame practitioners most often just stick their arrows through the straps of their hakama (tips pointed down) and reach back and down with the right hand to pull out an arrow from the bottom.

 

  

Edited June 20 by Iaido dude

[Iaido dude]

The deerskin chap for protection while riding is called a Mukabaki (#10). Not exactly big on my list because we have highs of 90-95 degrees with extreme humidity every day here in North Central Florida. However, when I get my wooden horse and saddle set up, I may find that I do need some protection down there. Fortunately, Iron Mountain Armory sells a very high quality one for $70, which is not just for cosplay. They really do their history homework.

 

[Baka Gaijin]

Hi Steve

Youasked 

 

"Beautiful, Piers. There is a more contemporary Ukiyoe offered on eBay depicting yabusame, which is not nearly as nice as the one you shared. Who is the artist?"

 

Piers' is by TOYONOBU

and called

Oda Nobunaga and Shibata Katsuie, from Shinsen Taikoki (Newly selected history of Toyotomi Hideyoshi), diptych

1883

 

The Artist is Yōshū (Hashimoto) known as Chikanobu  1838 - 1912

The print is from the series known as Chiyoda Castle (Album of Men)

Date of Print 1897

 

 

Edited June 20 by Baka Gaijin

[Iaido dude]

The specialized leather boots (Monoigutsu, #8) worn in yabusame are difficult to source out except through engagement with the two schools of yabusame in Japan--namely Ogasawara-ryu or Takeda-ryu. Authentic yabusame equipment relies entirely on a highly insular network of specialized Japanese craftsmen and lineage associations. Active practitioners are expected to obtain gear strictly through their school's vetted master craftsmen (shokunin). Because the skills to manufacture traditional Japanese saddlery and equestrian attire are rare or mostly extinct, the schools themselves regulate who can purchase from the remaining living artisans. In Omasawara-ryu, you must request equipment access directly through the school's administrative board. They work with specific lacquerers and leather artisans who understand the unique structural requirements for standing in Japanese stirrups (wabumi). In Takeda-ryu, yabusame attire features distinctly different colors and historic patterns. Inquiries must go through their internal network to avoid buying gear that violates Shinto ceremonial protocols.

 

 

I can hope to acquire a vintage Edo period pair and do restoration work. Since I don't train on a horse (at least not yet), it's a non-issue. However, I will be purchasing a vintage pair of Abumi stirrups. I'll have to see what kind of conventional footwear works best with the iron flat bottom design. The pair below with an eminashi shape (no front groove) is up for auction on Czerny, but it is collector grade with a Nihon-Katchu-Bugu-Kenkyu-Hozon-Kai (NKBKHK) certificate. I think that a structurally sound pair for $200-300 is more what I am targeting for actual use, like the pair on the right available on Etsy.

 

  

 

 

Edited June 21 by Iaido dude

[Iaido dude]

1 minute ago, Baka Gaijin said:

Hi Steve

Youasked 

 

"Beautiful, Piers. There is a more contemporary Ukiyoe offered on eBay depicting yabusame, which is not nearly as nice as the one you shared. Who is the artist?"

 

The Artist is Yōshū (Hashimoto) known as Chikanobu  1838 - 1912

The print is from the series known as Chiyoda Castle (Album of Men)

Date of Print 1897

 

 

 

Interesting. Same artist as the one I posted. Different series, but both related to Chiyoda Castle. 

[Iaido dude]

18 hours ago, Bugyotsuji said:

Great stuff, Steve. There's a former BA pilot in the UK who used to do Yabusame in Japan, so I wonder if he too still has all this equipment.

 

Not too long ago I found an old Ukiyoe in very sad condition showing Oda Nobunaga wearing just such an Ayaigasa. Later in an online collection I found a good example of the same woodblock print, and was surprised to see just how colourful the original print must have been.

 

 

 

 

It looks like Oda Nobunaga is wearing an Utsubo, while the other archers are using Ebira. Just a really nice composition and historical reference for the hunting costume in use at around the time of the Azuchi-Momoyama period. They are wearing hitatare with the crossover front, not suikan tops with collar tie.

Edited June 20 by Iaido dude

[Iaido dude]

The traditional Japanese saddle, called a Wa-gura, is made of a wood frame that goes over the back of the horse. The yabusame practicitioner, called an ite, has mastered a unique technique called tachisukashi--a form of riding without pressing the horse’s body with the legs and without resting the body on the saddle. The hips are kept away from the saddle by one sheet of paper distance. This is accomplished in part by the unusual flat bottom design of the Abumi, which allows for full contact with the bottom of the Monoigutsu, which allows for exquisite control of the body position in relation to the Wa-gura. In this manner, the ite maintains a stable posture without the up and down movements of the upper body, enabling him to aim accurately shoot at the targets in full gallop. 

 

I found a vintage Wa-gura on Etsy for $260 with minimal shipping cost from Japan. However, it is clearly too fragile from age and wear to be used.

 

  

 

The one below is decorated in maki-e. It is highly collectible for $750. Instead, until I find a suitable example, I'm going to use a leather English saddle (possibly a spare donated by one of my patients who is an equestrian in Ocala, FL, which is big time horse country).

 

Edited June 21 by Iaido dude

[Iaido dude]

I am going to create a wooden horse for yabusame training by combining the following:

 

1) Freemax treeless "English saddle" with straps for mounting the Abumi ($210, eBay)

2) Wooden saddle rack with curved top surface, heavy duty and high weight tolerance ($70, Amazon)

3) Improvised head and tail attached to either end ($33, Amazon)

4) 3/4" board, 20" wide, 36" long ($18, Lowes)

5) Large 24" motorized electric turntable with 500 lb weight tolerance ($130, eBay)

 

Total is <$475.

 

  . 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 20 by Iaido dude

[Iaido dude]

The English saddle is probably going to lend itself to yabusame, because the ite has to shoot with a long asymmetric yumi bow on the left side. The horn on the Western saddle seems like it could get in the way. The 9" hand-carved horse head will be scavenged from a decorative wall hanging. The tail is going to be a small hand broom. Gotta use imagination.

 

 

 

Edited June 20 by Iaido dude

[Iaido dude]

I have a set of crafted elm burl tsurumaki for storing spare strings and giriko-ire crushed pine resin container for my mitsugake 3-fingered glove. I have replicated how these are attached to the waist with an ito (in this case the cord is an ojibime for kimono) based on a vintage set (right).

 

.

Edited June 27 by Iaido dude

[Iaido dude]

The mitsugake used for yabusami (left) is more like a regular glove and doesn't have the hardened thumb with groove that is used in kyudo (right). This really reflects the different focus of kyujutsu (combat archery) vs. kyudo (contimeplatve archery to develop the mind/body). Many riders don't use a glove at all for nocking, drawing, and releasing the arrow, which has to be done in rapid succession. The softer mitsugake allows for more tactile sensation and manipulation.

 

I also wear a glove on my bow hand that covers the thumb and provides protection from the feathers hitting the inner arm and the top of the web between thumb and first finger where the arrow shaft rests during the draw. This is very important because the technique of shooting in yabusame is to not allow the string to turn (called yagaeri), which is an advanced technique in kyudo acquired through years of practicing the bow grip (tenouchi). The grip on the bow is tighter so that the released string essentially ends facing the rider after release, allowing the next arrow to be nocked in succession. If yagaeri occurs, the string will rotate counter clockwise to the back of the bow hand and difficult to bring back around clockwise.

 

  

Edited June 27 by Iaido dude

[Iaido dude]

After considerable work on making my own kabori-ya (whistling arrows) and acquiring my first usable "ceremonial" kabori-ya and first karimata yanone, I am finally able to move on to the general category of the ya used for yabusame, presented in the next series of images in no particular order. 

 

The karimata yanone, as the name implies, were used for cutting rope such as would be used on sails. This one (left) is unfortunately recently polished and likely sharpened. The construction of the stem is convincing for a vintage 18th century yanone . Another example (right) is from the collection at The MET. These have the inome (boar's head) sukashi decoration, which is commonly found on these period yanone.

 

Edited Monday at 05:37 PM by Iaido dude

[Iaido dude]

This kabura-ya is a o-hima-me-ya (Toad's eye arrow 御蟇目矢) with paulownia presentation box made by the Higo 5th generation bow and arrow maker Takahashi Sozan. The paperwork indicates that it was donated to the Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and provides some historical background. However, I can't quite translate the larger brushed kanji in the lower sheet or the hakogaki. 

 

The total length is 105 cm and the nock is functional, which means it usable for shooting, although I am still deciding if I want to give that a try without damaging it. It is in the presentation style of a ceremonial kabura-ya often used in shinto worship. The feathers are very soft--possibly goose or pheasant.

 

Edited Tuesday at 02:28 AM by Iaido dude

[Iaido dude]

This is a pair of bamboo kabura-ya that I made. I am using Hamaya style white turkey feathers traditionally used to ward against evil spirits. They are shorter and have a higher profile and are secured on either end with hand wound silk thread. The nocks are of the Manchurian style with a very long and flanged contour that allows them to be rapidly placed on the tsuru and quickly released at full gallop. The currently mounted whistling arrowheads are brass and pointed enough to penetrate straw. In yabusame they are replaced by the longer wooden arrowheads. When I am ready to start practicing by shooting think wood boards, I will be using the black nylon arrowheads instead.

 

In the next installment, we will come to the specialized style of yumi that is traditionally used by archers on the ground and while mounted on horseback to conduct combat.

 

Edited Tuesday at 02:11 AM by Iaido dude

[ROKUJURO]

Steve,

I know whistling arrows as KABURA-YA (not Kaburi-Ya or Kabori-Ya).

UTSUBO are impressive to look at, but they are not used In YABUSAME. The KARIMATA YAJIRI will certainly be damaged when shot at a hard target. 

[Iaido dude]

Thanks for the spelling correction, Jean.

 

The "ornamental" kabura-ya above is similar to those I have seen that are shot during Shinto ceremonies. It's actually quite long and sturdy with genuine parts, unlike the decorative hamayumi and hamaya made for traditional boy's day celebration (Kodomo no Hi). It's just too nice to be shot. My kabura-ya serve well for practice.

 

The utsubo was used for standing archers on the ground. It works very well for this, but is too bulky for horseback despite images showing archers carrying utsubo in full yabusame hunting outfits including deerskin chaps. For yabusame, the ibira is used or the kabura-ya are simply tucked inside the straps of the back of the hakama with arrowhead pointing down. In practice, the ya are pulled out from the bottom and swung outwardly and positioned to be grabbed by the index finger of the bow hand. Then it is nocked by pushing with the the gloved right hand to bring the nock to the string.

 

The karimata yajiri is functional and used in yabusame for thin wood targets and ceramic discs filled with confetti. As you said, they aren't used for harder targets. In warfare, I suspect that they were intended for a single shot to inflict maximum damage (and be damaged in the process).

 

I also came to realize that the shape of the leather Spanish saddle is virtually identical to the wooden wa-gura. I'm getting a donated English saddle for starters.

Edited Tuesday at 02:38 AM by Iaido dude

[John C]

9 hours ago, Iaido dude said:

karimata yanone,

Next time you are in a shooting mood, I would love to see the flight characteristics of one of these . 

I read that they used 4 feathers to stabilize the flight (meaning non-spinning, I assume). 

 

John C.

[Iaido dude]

There is a Dutch maker of kabura-ya who fletches four feathers. If all 3 or 4 feathers are from the same wing, the ya will spin. I'm going to ask him if he alternates the feathers (left-right-left-right) so that they counteract the tendency to spin. All of the feathers on my kabura-ya are from a right wing. They will definitely spin. 

 

In kyudo, we traditionally use a pair of ya with arrows fletched from either of the wings so that the ya spin in opposite directions.

Edited Tuesday at 02:48 AM by Iaido dude