{"id":1927,"date":"2012-01-17T19:21:24","date_gmt":"2012-01-17T10:21:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/2012-01-17\/1927"},"modified":"2012-01-17T19:21:24","modified_gmt":"2012-01-17T10:21:24","slug":"flip-side-of-the-japanese-archery-rite-of-passage-event-way-way-too-crowded-to-enjoy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/2012-01-17\/1927","title":{"rendered":"Flip Side of the Japanese Archery Rite-of-Passage Event: Way, Way Too Crowded to Enjoy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
\nNOTE<\/b>: Images with an icon next to them have been artificially shrunk to better fit your screen; click the icon to restore them, in place, to their regular size.\n<\/div>\n\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f\/2 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1250 sec, f<\/span>\/5.6, ISO 2000 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nRight This Way<\/span>\npath leading to the archery viewing area\nannual archery rite of passage at the Sanjusangendo Temple\nKyoto Japan\n<\/div>\n\n

In my post yesterday about Japanese archery<\/a>, I concentrated<\/span> on the short moment each of the 2,000+ archers got during\nSunday's day-long event\n\n (\u7b2c62\u56de \u4e09\u5341\u4e09\u9593\u5802\u5927\u7684\u5168\u56fd\u5927\u4f1a)<\/span>\n\nat the Sanjusangendo\nTemple<\/a>. Except in the world of calm and concentration that they brought\nwith them for that moment on the shooting platform, the event was an\nabsolute madhouse, with way<\/i> too many people packed into way too\nsmall an area, funneled through an even thinner bottleneck entrance path\nconnecting the archery area with the main temple grounds.<\/p>\n\n

It was absolutely ridiculous, and at one point early on I felt<\/span> so bad\nfor friends and family of the archers, who had essentially no chance to see\ntheir loved one, that I left<\/span> so as to ease the crowd by one.<\/p>\n\n

The event was scheduled to start at 9am and run until about 3 or 4 in the\nafternoon, with about 1,100 men (ranked archers who had turned 20 years old\nduring the past year) going first, switching to similarly ranked\/aged women\nsomewhere around noon.<\/p>\n\n

I arrived before 10am and wandered around a bit<\/span> before I found<\/span> the path\nto the main-event archery area.<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 200mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1600 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nFirst View<\/span>\nleading to the shooting and viewing areas\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 190mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>400 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nLots'a Bows<\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n

Eventually I made my way through the solid mass of humanity to where I\ncould<\/span> actually catch a glimpse<\/span> of an archer in action, a glimpse<\/span> possible\nonly because I'm quite a bit<\/span> taller than average...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 200mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 560 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nFirst View<\/span>\nof an archer in action, possible only because I'm much taller than average\n<\/div>\n\n

In the na\u00efvet\u00e9 of a first-time attendee, I moved<\/span> further down range in hopes of finding a thinner<\/span> crowd, but to no avail...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 70mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>640 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nFrom Mid Range<\/span>\nagain enjoying the “benefits” of height, slim as they were\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 70mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 220 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nTargets and Indicators<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 200mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>500 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nHalf of a Batch<\/span><\/span>\narchers came in waves of 12 men each\n<\/div>\n\n

When a group of a dozen archers was given the platform, each progressed\nthrough his two arrows as\nI described<\/span> yesterday<\/a>, independently (and likely not even aware) of the\nothers, though long and related training left a loosely<\/span>-shared rhythm to the\ngroup.<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 200mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/6.3, ISO 400 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n

About a third or so of the guys choose to slip their left arm out of\ntheir formal hakama<\/i> costume for the shoot, though I don't<\/span> know\nwhether it's for less distraction or simply to look baddass<\/a>. In any case<\/span>, it certainly had that latter effect, but sadly it was not a custom<\/span>\nshared by the ladies when they followed later in the day. \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n\n

One of the three archers at the blue position above seems to have scored a full<\/span> bull's-eye:<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 200mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/6.3, ISO 400 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nSomeone Hit the Mark<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n

Eventually I gave up trying to find position downrange and headed back toward the exit, but along the way I paused<\/span> directly adjacent to\nthe shooting platform (where, if you could actually see the archers, you could look down the row of archers for an interesting view. I had incredible<\/span> luck to happen upon a spot<\/span> next to a tree<\/span> just as a couple<\/span> decided to extract themselves, and combining\na raised<\/span> bump in the tree root, tippy toes, and my height, I could<\/span> sometimes get a semi<\/span>-clear shot...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 190mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>640 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nIn Sync<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n

The tree itself was plastered with “Don't Climb!” signs, which is good\nbecause if it weren't I'm sure the crowd would have destroyed it...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 70mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/6.3, ISO 2000 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n“Don't Climb the Tree!”<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n

Anyway, with a position that held some promise even though I was<\/span> fairly\nfar in the back, I started<\/span> playing with different techniques, since I was<\/span>\nalmost perfectly in line with them, I had few<\/span> options beyond the closest\narcher at the end of the row. Still, I tried<\/span> various things...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 200mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1000 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nSelective Focus<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 200mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1250 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 200mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>640 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 125mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>400 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 105mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>640 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 105mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>500 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n

I like that last one, but this experience was wholly unsatisfying as\nboth a photographer<\/span> and as a spectator,<\/span> and I was<\/span> growing fairly disgusted\nespecially when I could<\/span> hear friends and parents comment to themselves that\nthey couldn't even see whether their loved one was up yet.<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 105mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>500 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 105mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>500 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nStaredown<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 70mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 220 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nView of the Targets<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n

Again a spot opened up slightly and I could<\/span> get onto the rise of the\ntree root at the base of the trunk, and with comical stretching I could<\/span> get\ntighter shots...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 200mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>500 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 200mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1000 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 200mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1000 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n

It was at this point that I got the sequence in yesterday's post<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

I wanted to stay until the women started shooting, but by this point I\nwas<\/span> ready to give up. I had brought<\/span> my 300mm f\/2<\/a> and a stool<\/span> to\nstand on, with the hope of capturing something unique, but with the crowd\nthere was no way I could<\/span> bring out a lens<\/span> that big, and even if I could,<\/span> I'd feel to<\/span> selfish doing so.<\/p>\n\n

I stuck around for another wave or two before leaving...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 150mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1000 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 190mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1000 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 190mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>500 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 190mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>500 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 200mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>640 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 200mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>640 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 200mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>800 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n

Disappointed, I left the<\/span> archery area and made my slow way through the bottleneck toward the relatively open of the wider temple grounds.<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 200mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 400 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nCommon Sight<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 175mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1250 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nLadies Starting to Assemble<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n

It turns out that it gets substantially less crowded later in the day, but I'll leave that for another post.<\/p>\n\n

Continued here...<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In my post yesterday about Japanese archery, I concentrated on the short moment each of the 2,000+ archers got during Sunday's day-long event (\u7b2c62\u56de \u4e09\u5341\u4e09\u9593\u5802\u5927\u7684\u5168\u56fd\u5927\u4f1a) at the Sanjusangendo Temple. Except in the world of calm and concentration that they brought with them for that moment on the shooting platform, the event was an absolute madhouse, with way too many people packed into way too small an area, funneled through an even thinner bottleneck entrance path connecting the archery area with the main temple grounds.<\/p>

It was absolutely ridiculous, and at one point early on I felt so bad for friends [...]","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,2,10],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1927"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1927"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1927\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1927"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1927"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1927"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}