Archery - Jarai

During the Heian period, an archery ceremony was held in front of Kenreimon Gate on the 17th of the first month. Those below the Imperial Prince, those of fifth rank or higher, and officials from the Left and Right Guards, Left and Right Guards, and Left and Right Guards shoot arrows. The Emperor visits the Burakuin Temple to watch. First, a gong and drum is struck and those of fifth rank or higher shoot, followed by the archers from the various guard offices. The skilled archers are awarded stipends, and the Emperor treats his ministers to a banquet.

Two days before the actual day, a rehearsal is held in the Ministry of Military Affairs to decide the order of shooting (hand tying, hand tying, order tying). It is said to have started in the 4th year of Emperor Seinei's reign, but the ceremony was completed on January 17th, 4th year of Emperor Tenmu's reign (675). Those who do not participate on this day are not allowed to attend the Niiname Festival if they are of fifth rank or higher, and those of sixth rank or lower cannot receive their seasonal salary. It was abolished after Emperor Gokogon's Oan reign (1368-75).

[Yutaka Yamanaka]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

平安時代、正月17日に建礼門前で行う弓の儀式。親王以下、五位以上および左右近衛(このえ)、左右兵衛(ひょうえ)、左右衛門の官人が弓を射る。天皇が豊楽院(ぶらくいん)に臨御され、御覧になる。まず鉦鼓(しょうこ)を打ち鳴らし五位以上の者が射、次に諸衛府の射手が射る。うまい射手には禄(ろく)を賜り、天皇が群臣に宴を賜る。

　当日の2日以前に手結(てつがい)（手は射手、結は順番。射る順序を決めること）をするための予行演習が兵部省で行われる。清寧(せいねい)天皇4年に始まったとされるが、儀式として整ったのは天武(てんむ)天皇4年（675）正月17日。この日参加しない者は、五位以上は新嘗祭(にいなめのまつり)に参列することを許されず、六位以下は季禄（給料）をもらうことができなくなるという。後光厳(ごこうごん)天皇の応安(おうあん)（1368～75）以後は廃絶した。

［山中　裕］

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