Private Yabusame Experience with a Master Archer

Ogasawara-ryu is a centuries-old tradition of samurai etiquette, archery, and mounted archery, with a lineage spanning more than 830 years.

The tradition is built upon three disciplines: Reihō (etiquette), archery, and mounted archery. Its philosophy is expressed through everyday movements such as standing, sitting, walking, and bowing, embodying the samurai ideals of discipline, awareness, and respect.

Ogasawara-ryu archery is characterized by eliminating unnecessary movements, following rational principles, and maintaining precise etiquette. Yabusame is the traditional art of shooting a bow from horseback—an essential martial skill for medieval samurai, for whom mastery of both the bow and horse was fundamental.

More than a martial tradition, Ogasawara-ryu offers a window into the discipline, composure, and spirit of the samurai.

For your Yabusame Experience, the first step is to change into hakama—traditional martial arts attire. As the belt is tied, you may feel a sense of focus settling in with them.

Unlike ordinary Western clothing, hakama naturally encourages you to straighten your posture and carry yourself with greater awareness, as if the attire itself calls for a certain level of respect.

The experience begins with learning the proper way to bow. Everything in martial arts begins and ends with a bow, performed slowly and mindfully, with awareness of your breathing.

An instructor provides individual guidance on drawing and handling the bow. When an arrow strikes the target, you may instinctively smile or cheer, yet the practice teaches you to remain composed and control your emotions.

As your concentration deepens, you may notice your breathing becoming irregular or even unconsciously holding your breath, affecting the fluidity of your movements.

Gradually, you begin to discover that the Way of the Samurai starts with a calm and steady mind, cultivated through the training of both body and spirit.

After practicing archery, you move on to conditioning your legs and lower back—essential for maintaining stability while shooting from horseback.

For Ogasawa-ryu you first practice shooting from a stationary wooden horse, then gradually progress to shooting while mounted on a live horse.

The training is tailored to each individual’s progress, but throughout the experience, maintaining a calm and composed mind remains essential.

Watching the instructor demonstrate, you may be struck by the extraordinary gap between their skill and your own. Yet in that moment, you realize that you are witnessing—and, in your own small way, becoming part of—a tradition that has been passed down for 850 years.

The Ogasawara-ryu lineage traces back to its founder, Ogasawara Nagakiyo, in 1188. For more than 850 years, its teachings have been passed down from one generation to the next, preserving a living connection to Japan’s samurai heritage.

The 17th head, Tsunenao, was invited by Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Edo Shogunate, to teach archery and equestrian etiquette to the Tokugawa family.

Even through the rapid modernization of the Meiji era, the family remained dedicated to preserving its traditions, adapting them to modern life and education without losing their essence.

In modern times, the 30th head carried yabusame to shrines across Japan and overseas. Today, the 31st head, Kiyotada Ogasawara, continues to safeguard this centuries-old tradition—not as a commercial enterprise, but as a living cultural heritage passed from generation to generation.