Emperor Kammu

Emperor (Tenno)

Japanese Emperor who officially patronized and institutionalized Yabusame mounted archery.

Quick Facts

Date of Birth737

Date of Death4/9/0806

Era8th–9th century

Country of OriginJapan

Rank / Title50th Emperor of Japan

Active Years0781–0806

Biography

Emperor Kammu patronized Yabusame archery competitions in the late 8th century as both a Shinto ritual and training method for mounted samurai archers.

Associated Martial Arts

YabusameOrganisation / official→

Japanese mounted archery: three targets shot from a galloping horse. Minamoto no Yoritomo gave it its ceremonial form at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu in 1187.