On January 18, 2026, a "Toshiya" archery competition was held at Sanjusangendo Temple in Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, where 20-year-olds dressed in formal attire competed against each other in archery. In a tense atmosphere, young people from all over the country took turns shooting their bows, vowing to continue improving.
During the Edo period, samurai are said to have competed at Sanjusangendo Temple to see who could shoot the most arrows under the eaves of the temple. Currently, the Kyoto Prefectural Kyudo Federation and Myoho-in Temple (Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City) host the "Sanjusangendo National Archery Tournament." This year, the 76th event, attracted approximately 1,900 participants, both men and women.
Participants, dressed in vibrant furisode kimonos and hakama kimonos, lined up in a row, took a breather, and aimed for a one-meter-diameter target set 60 meters away. The sharp sound of the arrows cutting through the cold winter air echoed through the air.
A female second-year student at Doshisha University (20 years old) said with a smile, "Ever since I started Kyudo, it has been my goal to stand here. I drew my bow with gratitude to my family and friends who have supported me up until now."
