1,000 women take part in New Year archery event

Very nice!

The traditional event dates back to the early 1600s.

And it is good to see that Japan still keeps on their traditional events.

Awesome. Very cool competition and event.

Very nice!

> The traditional event dates back to the early 1600s.

> And it is good to see that Japan still keeps on their traditional events.

And thankfully they weren't required to wear masks!

Always nice to see people enjoying outdoor events without a mask.

Yes awesome !

Congratulations ladies

Maybe they shoot Cupid in the heart

They should be wearing masks being that close together, and 1000 of them.

My wife is good at kyudo I am proud to say.

Beautiful!

No masks, large crowd, and no social distancing.

So Omicron isn't serious.

This is the imaging being sent.

Wondering what the significance is?

I would love to study Japanese archery.

Sadly, I can't find anywhere which offers lessons after university level, and I am waaaaaaaaay to old for that.

And this is the Top News Story because...?

because Kyudo is awesome? Love it! Thanks JT for the YT link

Lovely. So nice to see inclusivity in this day and age.

Stunning beauty, coupled with the essence of femininity that is focused on archery.

Politically where would that arrow distinguish?

I would love to study Japanese archery.

Sadly, I can't find anywhere which offers lessons after university level, and I am waaaaaaaaay to old for that.

Derek, I don't know where you live, but usually there are Kyudo lessons in any Budokan in your area or if there isn't a Budokan there might be a Community center that might offer it.

Amazed at the amount of frustrated people posting here. Complaining about everything won't improve your miserable life! Can't you just appreciate this post for what it is - a beautiful display of tradition, strength and self-control. For all the ladies there, this is a big event for which they trained for years!

And thankfully they weren't required to wear masks!

Nobody is "required" to wear a mask. Those who do, do so voluntarily.

masks are useless in people who don't have symptoms....FFS...2 years in and still moral grandstanding over porous paper face coverings.

Can't you just appreciate this post for what it is - a beautiful display of tradition, strength and self-control. For all the ladies there, this is a big event for which they trained for years!

I echo the above post, to me it's a beautiful tradition, one I enjoy reading about.

No masks, good on you girls. A great event.

KuroTokage  10:01 am JST

Nobody is "required" to wear a mask. Those who do, do so voluntarily.

I have been to a number of outdoor Japanese gardens with paid admission (e.g., Koshikawa Korakuen) that require a mask. My gym has the same requirement. Of course, you could claim that I choose to go to these places and thus choose to abide by the requirements for admission.

that looks fun, wouldnt mind to try archery sometime.

Very positive article. I’m surprised this was the top story for a while before the missile one.

A whole bunch of Brave women. Kudos to all those who get the reference in this post.

looks like a really fun event!

Aly RustomToday  07:59 am JST

My wife is good at kyudo I am proud to say.

well, you better not piss her off... or she'll strike one up your behind

well, you better not piss her off... or she'll strike one up your behind

Speaking from experience?

Please wear masks. Careless and ignorant.

kyushubill

No masks, large crowd, and no social distancing.

So Omicron isn't serious.

This is the imaging being sent.

Where do you see that? There is no large crowd, and the event is outdoors, so no need for maskery. And yes, from all we know so far omicron is very infectious but not very dangerous.

Thomas Goodtime  02:21 pm JST

Please wear masks. Careless and ignorant.

Oh, please. There is absolutely no credible scientific evidence that suggests that masks will provide any protection to people socially distancing at outdoor events. Follow the science.

Oh, please. There is absolutely no credible scientific evidence that suggests that masks will provide any protection to people socially distancing at outdoor events. Follow the science.

Oh, please.

Follow the common sense.

For those getting worked up about wearing or not wearing masks outside,feel safe that there are no studies that prove outside transmission of the Corona virus-indoor yes,outdoor no.

Common sense is not equal to science.

Amazing scene!

I have said it before, and will again : the level of skill of Japanese women when it comes to sport is off the charts. Future gold medal archers right there!

Beauty of Japan.

Just an opinion,

We can't help but connect this event to Omicron, so in that sense I believe it's on topic to say:

I think it's clear the Japanese at some level (well one would hope it's coming from an informed medical leadership level) have decided to try and let Omicron just burn through. Event's like this would have to be given an O.K. to go ahead under Quasi emergency conditions.

These commentor don’t realise that the competition in not Judge on closest to the bulls eye. A competitor could hit the bull eye every time and still mark low in the competition. The reason they are not wearing masks is because how the competition in judge. Any person who has lived for a few years In Japan would know how a Kyudo competition in judge. And google won’t tell you this. Wearing a mask during competition would score low very low. So if you spent any time in Japan you would know. So can any of the above commentors tell the forum how to score in kyudo?????. And I sure none do know. I will collect a lot of thumb down but no answer to how to score points in Kyudo.

Can any of the above tell the forum how to score in Kyudo. I expect a least one would know. I am amused and I am correct and wonder why most pretend to understand Japan and it’s culture only to know with your google search. No way Fighto and co has ever left his country of origin

Not one can tell the forum how to score in Kyudo. Iron lad I can hear your mum calling you for dinner and wash you hand kid.

Maybe they don't wear masks because it's a samurai art primarily, not ninja =)

Just curious why ask about vthe masks.

Do they wear masks in other sports events here? Basketball? Baseball? Rugby?

The photo portrays beauty, skill and a cultural past.

How that reflects on the future, the wonders of youth, should not be left to fall to political governmental agenda.

The photo could predict a positive, a youth devoted to achievement.

Quite interesting how many people disagree that they should be wearing masks. :)

One thing you will always have eith enough people is a bunch of differing opinions.

Ian: close but that not the reason why mask are not worn. It is about how they score the competitors and it is not a traditional dress rules

Beautiful attires.

Archery is a treat to watch. Wishing the 1000 participants a happy and healthy New Year 2022.

Kyudo is pure Zen. As others have said, it's not about the score on the target.

Just curious why ask about vthe masks.

Do they wear masks in other sports events here? Basketball? Baseball? Rugby?

They don't wear mask at the background as they're waiting.

In the sports you mentioned, substitutes on the bench wear masks.

“Well Done!” by all the young women, … and young men.

- @Newgirlintown 9:16am: “Lovely. So nice to see inclusivity in this day and age.”

This Otamo Taikai tradition, based on Toshiya, has been open for ‘youth’ for over 400 years yet, given the JT headline, it’s no wonder some assume it’s was previously restricted and perhaps ‘a first time for young ‘women’ ?

- “1,000 women take part in New Year archery event” -

https://www.discoverkyoto.com/event-calendar/january/omato-archery-competition/

You say otamo, they say omato...

I remember hearing about scads of dudes shooting later on the same day, but they never seem to get as much attention as these photogenic lasses that have been getting featured on JT for all the years I have been reading.

Only one thousand allowed to compete and no spectators?

This event needs to be updated, using virtual reality, millions could compete online, and hundreds of millions could watch online or via cable.

Left as is, billions of yen are being left on the table.

Bingo Stevie, correct, yet not one pretender knew this. Hence the uninformed pretenders complain yet none actually know why no masks a worn.

Sat next to a young girl on a train, a few years ago. She had a bow and quiver and we talked about her upcoming practise and challenge. She was truly dedicated to the sport. It was an honour for me to listen. Don't remember what she looked like, but I hope she made it to the finals. Dedication is what counts, regardless of pursuit.

Good practise for hunting without a gun. No compound bow, either. Great to watch. Great to participate.