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is a type of Japanese arrow used by the samurai class of feudal Japan. Kabura-ya were arrows which whistled when shot and were used in ritual archery exchanges before formal medieval battles.
Like a Wind instrument, the sound was created by a specially carved or perforated bulb of deer horn or wood attached to the tip. In English, these are often called "whistling-bulb arrows", "messenger arrows", or "signal arrows." ''Kabura'' literally translates to " turnip", and thus the Japanese term technically means "turnip shapedarrows." The Chinese ''xiangjian'' (sometimes pronounced and written ''mingdi'') was quite similar, and until the end of the Warlord Era were commonly used by bandits to announce the gang's approach.
In '' Shinto'', the sound made by the ''Kabura-ya'' arrow in mid-flight is thought to ward-off evil influences, and, like the '' Hama Ya'', '' Hama Yumi'' and the '' Azusa Yumi'', it is used is ''Shinto'' cleansing rites of sites, shrine grounds, parks, etc.
Archery Gallery
Samurai weapons and equipment Archery equipment of Japan Arrow types Amulets Talismans Shinto in Japan Exorcism in Shinto Shinto religious objects Magic items {{archery-stub
is a type of Japanese arrow used by the samurai class of feudal Japan. Kabura-ya were arrows which whistled when shot and were used in ritual archery exchanges before formal medieval battles.
Like a Wind instrument, the sound was created by a specially carved or perforated bulb of deer horn or wood attached to the tip. In English, these are often called "whistling-bulb arrows", "messenger arrows", or "signal arrows." ''Kabura'' literally translates to " turnip", and thus the Japanese term technically means "turnip shapedarrows." The Chinese ''xiangjian'' (sometimes pronounced and written ''mingdi'') was quite similar, and until the end of the Warlord Era were commonly used by bandits to announce the gang's approach.
In '' Shinto'', the sound made by the ''Kabura-ya'' arrow in mid-flight is thought to ward-off evil influences, and, like the '' Hama Ya'', '' Hama Yumi'' and the '' Azusa Yumi'', it is used is ''Shinto'' cleansing rites of sites, shrine grounds, parks, etc.
Use
In battle, particularly around the time of the Heian period, ''kabura-ya'' would be shot before a battle, to alert the enemy. The whistling sound was also believed to chase away evil spirits, and to alert friendly '' kami'' to lend their support. It was not uncommon for archery exchanges to be performed for quite some time, and in the 1183 battle of Kurikara, for example, fifteen arrows were shot by each side, then thirty, then fifty, then one hundred, before these hundred samurai on each side actually engaged one another in battle.Turnbull, Stephen (1987). 'Battles of the Samurai'. London: Arms and Armour Press. It was also not uncommon for messages to be tied to these arrows, which could be shot into fortresses, battle camps or the like. This practice of the formal archery exchange likely died out gradually following the end of the Heian period, as war became less and less ritualized. The arrows would also be sold at Shintō shrines as good luck charms, particularly aroundNew Year's Day
New Year's Day is a festival observed in most of the world on 1 January, the first day of the year in the modern Gregorian calendar. 1 January is also New Year's Day on the Julian calendar, but this is not the same day as the Gregorian one. Wh ...
; simply carrying a ''kabura-ya'', like a ''Hama Ya'', is meant to serve as a ward against evil spirits.
See also
* Kasagake * Carnyx * Dacian DracoReferences
Sources
*Frederic, Louis (2002). "Japan Encyclopedia." Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. *Billingsley, Phil (1988). "Bandits in Republican China" Stanford University PressExternal links
Archery Gallery
Samurai weapons and equipment Archery equipment of Japan Arrow types Amulets Talismans Shinto in Japan Exorcism in Shinto Shinto religious objects Magic items {{archery-stub