鎌倉宮（弓道）

Visited Kamakura-gu Shrine to watch the archery dedication by the Ogasawara-style Ancient Archery Preservation Association. Kamakura-gu Shrine was built in 1869 by Emperor Meiji to deify Prince Morinaga (born in 1308), the son of Emperor Godaigo.

小笠原流鎌倉古式弓道保存会の皆さんによる神事を見に鎌倉宮に行ってきました。鎌倉宮は後醍醐天皇の皇子護良親王(もりながしんのう)をお祀りする神社です。

The "Kusajishi-shiki" style archery was performed this time. "Kusajishi" is an imitation target deer made by buckskin. There were two shooters in each match: Mae-yumi (the first shooter) and Ato-yumi (the second shooter). After each try, the judge asked the shooter where exactly the arrow had hit on the target and only when the shooter answered correctly, he/she got a point. If his/her answer was wrong, he/she didn't get a point even if the arrow did hit the target. The whole thing was solemn and beautiful including their period costume and the ancient language, and the audience oohed and aahed and enjoyed it very much.

今回の神事は鹿の形の的を射る草鹿式(くさじししき)と呼ばれるものでした。前弓、後弓の二人の射手が順に矢を放ち、的奉行がその的中箇所を射手に尋ねます（「矢どころは？」）。正しく答えられれば問題ないのですが、たとえ的に命中しても的中箇所を正しく答えられないと「外れ」（「矢どころ違いにて捨て申して候」）とされてしまいます。鎌倉時代の装束（直垂、烏帽子、浅沓）を身にまとい、「そうろう」言葉を使っておごそかに行なわれた神事に聴衆からは拍手やため息や、感心する声がしきりにあがりました。