Yabusame (Horseback Archery)

A martial art based on traditional Japanese archery. Using Japanese bows to shoot arrows at targets, it emphasizes etiquette and spiritual cultivation. Evolved from martial practice in the Edo period, it is now practiced as both martial art and sport. Approximately 2 million people worldwide practice it. Characterized by the grace of drawing motion and development of concentration, it is highly valued as a martial art embodying Japanese aesthetic sensibility.

A martial art that developed in Okinawa during the Ryukyu Kingdom era. Influenced by Chinese martial arts and Indian Ocean trade networks, it established a unique technical system. A practical hand-to-hand combat method using bare hands and simple weapons, it is the ancestor of modern karate. Regional styles include Naha-te, Shuri-te, and Tomari-te.

A traditional Japanese martial art of shooting arrows from a moving horse. Developed during the Kamakura period as samurai training, it became ritualized during the Edo period. Today it is preserved as a sacred ritual performed at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu in Kamakura and other shrines during New Year celebrations, representing a fusion of samurai spirit, horsemanship, and archery.

Traditional Japanese archery performed from horseback. Dating from the Muromachi period as a samurai accomplishment, it is preserved today as a ceremonial performance dedicated at shrine festivals. Performed annually at venues like Tsurugaoka Hachimangu in Kamakura, it represents a vital intersection of traditional martial arts and Shinto festival culture.

A martial art rooted in Japanese swordsmanship, practiced with bamboo swords (shinai) and protective armor (bogu). Its philosophy centers on character development through the disciplined study of the sword, emphasizing etiquette and mental cultivation alongside technique. Led by the All Japan Kendo Federation, it is practiced in over 60 countries.

A martial art systematized from traditional Japanese archery. Using a Japanese longbow approximately two meters in length, it combines shooting technique with spiritual discipline. Under the principle of 'seisha hicchu' (correct shooting always hits the target), emphasis is placed on the beauty of the eight stages of shooting form and the unity of mind.

A Japanese martial art that trains the complete sequence of drawing the sword from its scabbard, cutting, and resheathing. Evolved from practical swordsmanship, it emphasizes the unity of mind and body and spiritual cultivation. The act of drawing the sword in an instant from stillness embodies 'stillness within motion, motion within stillness,' pursuing the essence of martial arts.