Hello b Members!
bのメンバーの皆さんこんにちは！

I hope you have been able to enjoy the lovely weather we have had lately;
it has been perhaps unseasonably warm but it is a great excuse to get out and enjoy the sunshine!
気持ちの良い天気のこの頃ですが、楽しんでますか？
この季節にしては珍しく暖かいですが、外出してお日様の心地よさを楽しめてラッキーなこの頃です＾＾

I was able to do just that last week, when I went to Kamakura for the Kamakura festival.
Specifically I went to Tsuragaoka Hachimangu Shrine, because there was a horseback archery (yabusame) tournament happening.
I had seen yabusame in 2011 when I was in Japan on an exchange, but this time I had a much better camera and thought I would try to get some good photos.
先週僕も鎌倉まつりに行って楽しんで来ました。
ちょうど鶴岡八幡宮でhorseback archery（流鏑馬）をしていたんです。
実は2011年に交換留学で日本に来てからずっと観に行っていたのですが、今回はいつもと違ってかなり良いカメラを持って行ったので、いい写真が撮れたと思います！

I woke up early to get there before the big crowds arrived, which was a very good idea – but I got a front row spot at 11am, meaning I was able to see everything very clearly.
混む前に着きたくて早起きしました！大会は午後2時に始まるのですが、僕はなんと11時には最前列をゲットすることが出来ました＾＾

When the tournament began, the archers lined up in their amazing and traditional clothing, which seemed to be made of deerskin.
大会が始まると、選手は鹿の皮で作られた伝統的な衣装を身に纏い、一列に並びます。

They looked very impressive, and like nothing I would see in New Zealand.
It looked like they had walked straight out of the Middle Ages and were ready to do battle with samurai.
もうそれはニュージーランドでは見ることのできない、圧巻の姿です。
まるで、戦国時代から抜け出して、今にも侍と戦いを繰り広げようとしているかのようでした。

The lead archer was on horseback, and he blessed the arrows before doing a ritual where he aimed his arrow to the sky, and then to the earth.
This is to wish for a good harvest and peace, which I think are worthy causes!
流鏑馬のリーダーは、祭典の前に馬に乗ったまま空と大地にそれぞれ矢を掲げ、その矢を清めました。
これが豊作と平和を願っての儀式なのです。意義深いですね。

The tournament was very well run, with Japanese and English language commentary explaining what was happening, which was very convenient for me and the tourists who were watching.
I learnt that Yabusame is a very ancient martial art, with a lot of history and tradition.
On top of that, it was performed very precisely – it reminded me of the Japanese tea ceremony because of the perfect way everything was done.
大会は、日本語と英語の解説付きだったので、僕や他の旅行者の観客にもとっても解りやすかったです。
流鏑馬は、多くの歴史と伝統がある日本古来の武術だということが分かりました。
何よりもまず、全てが忠実に再現されていて、（一連の動作が厳格に決まっている日本の伝統文化である）茶道を思い出しました。

A Priest then blessed the ground that the horses would run down, using a cutting from a plant.
This is similar to what we do in New Zealand – for many blessings and purifying ceremonies we use a plant called Kawakawa.
It was interesting to see a cultural similarity at an event that is otherwise very different to what we have in New Zealand!
祭司が苗木の挿し木を使って、これから馬が走る大地を清めました。
実はニュージーランドでも似た風習があり、多くの清めの儀式には「カワカワ」という苗木を使います！
ニュージーランドにはないこのような行事で、文化的な共通点を発見出来るなんて、面白いですよね。

With the ceremonial part of the tournament done, the archers began their shooting.
One by one, they would race down a 200 meter long track, firing arrows at three targets.
Each time the target got smaller and smaller, until eventually a winner was decided.
It was incredible to see the archers working so well and accurately under pressure and at such speed, they must have to practice for a very long time!
壮行式では、競技者が矢を放ち始めました。
一人ずつ200メートルほどの距離を猛スピードで駆け抜け、3つの的に矢を射っていきます。
競技が進むに連れて、的はだんだん小さくなっていくのです。
驚くべきことは、プレッシャーと猛スピードの中でも彼らはとても正確に狙いを定めていたことです！これはきっと、日頃の鍛錬の成果に違いない！

I was very glad to be at the front, because it meant I was able to get the photos that I wanted, and feel like I was a part of the action.
When the tournament was finished, the archers returned to the shrine, and had some special sake to celebrate. It was a very special day, and also incredibly exciting – I am very glad that I made the effort to go!
僕は、素敵な写真も撮れたし、まるでその異世界に入り込めたような気がして、やっぱり一番前で観ることができたのは本当に良かったと思いました！
大会が終わると、競技者は神社に戻って特別なお酒を飲んで祝福します。　　
この日は僕にとっても特別な日で、この場に行くことが出来て本当に良かったと思いました！

Have you ever been to Yabusame? How did you find it?
Or if you have not been, what is the most exciting Japanese tradition that you have seen?
I would love to hear about your experiences, and to learn what other exciting traditions exist in Japan!
皆さんは流鏑馬を観に行ったことはありますか？どんな感想でしたか？
もしまだならば、観たことがある中で最もエキサイティングな日本伝統は何だと思いますか？
皆さんのエピソードを聞いてみたいし、その他の素晴らしい日本の伝統文化を勉強したいと思っています！

I am looking forward to having some good English conversations with you, and helping you achieve your goals!
英会話を通じ、目標を達成するそのお手伝いができることを、とても楽しみにしています！

Troy 🙂