145 Years - Remembering Sakamoto Ryoma

December 10th marks the 145th anniversary of the assassination of the  visionary Samurai-Statesman Sakamoto Ryoma of Tosa. He was  indisputably the architect and founding father of modern Japan. He is immortalized in books, films, NHK Taiga Dramas (such as the recent Atsuhime & Ryomaden), and in bronze statues throughout Japan. What a different Japan would be had he not sought to kill Katsu Kaishu and by chance listened to what he had to say that opened his eyes and made Ryoma his disciple who inspired by the United States envisioned a new Japan where people were equal. Through Katsu Kaishu he realized in order for Japan to survive it had to modernize but to do that he needed to unite the various clans seeking to overthrow the Tokugawa Shogunate to work for this new Japan. He assassinated by members of the pro-shogunate Mimawarigumi at the age of 33 on his birthday at the Omiya Inn in Kyoto with Nakaoka Shintaro. He is still beloved by many in Japan 145 years after his untimely tragic death and will continue to live on in both popular culture and the hearts of many for generations to come.

侍弓道 Samurai Archery Kasagake Matsuri 2012

Japanese Archery evokes imagery of large Samurai armies of the Warring States Period and earlier. Today, it exists as Kyudo and has schools both in Japan and the United States where one can learn in the way of the Samurai. But living outside of Japan there are few opportunities to see Kyudo performed in the manner in which the Samurai specifically speaking in regards to mounted archery or "Yabusame" which grew from Takeda-ryu and Ogasawara-ryu. One of the best places to see such archery  is at the Kasagake Matsuri held each year at the Kamigamo Shrine in Kyoto. Thanks to Kyoto Fan on Facebook, we are able to share this video with you. Enjoy!