The woman straddles the man lying down on his back. One end of the looped rope for the reins is put over the back of the man's neck. Holding onto the reins, the woman lowers herself onto him and rides him.
Origin of the name
Yabusame is the ancient rite of horseback archery — a rider at full gallop looses arrows at three targets in succession. Honed by Kamakura-era (1185–1333) samurai, it survives today at shrine festivals such as Tsurugaoka Hachimangu in Kamakura. Here the man on his back is the horse and the woman astride him the archer, reins in hand — or so the naming goes. The base form is Shigurechausu; one playful prop changes the entire landscape.
Tips
The reins are a prop, nothing more. Never pull on them or let anything press against the neck — drape a soft scarf over the shoulders or chest and the theater works just as well. Agreeing on a signal beforehand adds a layer of ease.
The mechanics are simply cowgirl: she carries her weight on knees and shins, rocking forward and back rather than bouncing, which tires far less. He bends his knees to give her a backrest.
