Yabusame Hawaii 2026 at Kualoa Ranch

Yabusame is an ancient and sacred Japanese ritual where horse-mounted archers, dressed in traditional attire from historical periods such as Heian, Kamakura, Muromachi, and Edo, gallop along a quarter-mile course while shooting arrows at a series of targets. This captivating display not only embodies the spirit of Bushido—the moral code of the samurai—but also educates audiences and celebrates Japan’ s rich cultural heritage.

Master Ogasawara’ s performances have mesmerized audiences worldwide. At the 2001 Japan Festival in London, his Yabusame demonstration was attended by both King Charles III and Emperor Naruhito. In Japan, Yabusame is still performed to pray for peace and bountiful harvests.

Hawaii’ s connection to Yabusame dates back to 1996, when a then 15-year-old Master Kiyomoto Ogasawara performed at the Honolulu Festival. In 2026—30 years later— he will return to Hawaii to lead this exceptional event. The performance will feature around 15 archers and riders from Japan and mainland USA, along with nearly 60 traditional costumes, creating an awe-inspiring cultural spectacle.

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Host or Publisher Honolulu Foundation/Women Support Center of Hawaii