Ogasawara-Ryū

Ogasawara-ryū has provided the foundation and framework for how samurai are to conduct themselves both on the field and off. Within this venerated tradition of etiquette and skill are two forms of archery: “kyujitsu” or “hosha” and “yabusame”, of which three different styles are preserved with Ogasawara-ryū . Kyujitsu is the traditional Japanese martial art of archery, and yabusame is the art of horse-mounted archery. Kyudo is noted for its zen-like calm and processional development. Yabusame, as the archer grips his steed and as the horse gallops at break-neck speeds, he must do his best to strike three targets from his bow at a blistering pace. Although entirely different contexts in which the archer must let fly their arrows, the core values of Ogasawara-ryū bind them in a unique and holistic manner.