Horseback Riding Permission Day
Historical AnniversariesWhat Is Horseback Riding Permission Day?
April 19th marks "Joba Kyoka Kinenbi" (Horseback Riding Permission Day) in Japan, commemorating the day in 1871 when horseback riding, previously permitted only to samurai, was authorized for commoners regardless of social class.
Why Was Horseback Riding Reserved for Samurai Only?
During the Edo period, horseback riding was considered one of the martial arts, alongside swordsmanship and gunnery, and was treated as a "weapon" much like swords and firearms.
- Restrictions in the Edo period: commoners such as merchants and farmers were long forbidden from riding horses under the feudal system
- Change brought by the Meiji Restoration: as the government shifted from the Edo shogunate to the new Meiji government, new systems free of the old class hierarchy were established one after another
- The significance of this permission: lifting the ban on horseback riding is regarded as one of the symbolic events marking the abolition of Japan's rigid class system
The Surprising Origin of a Common Japanese Word
As a piece of trivia related to horseback riding, the Japanese word "aoru" -- now used to mean "to incite" or "to stir up" emotions or a situation -- is said to originate from "aori," the mudguard equipment hung at the side of a horse's saddle.
Tips for Marking This Day
- Learn about the changes to Japan's class system around the time of the Meiji Restoration
- Look for a facility where you can try horseback riding yourself
- Trace the history of the relationship between horses and people in Japan
- Learn about the differences between Western and traditional Japanese equestrian styles
The Freedom to Ride a Horse, a Symbol of an Abolished Class System
The day horseback riding, once reserved for samurai alone, was opened up to commoners was more than a simple deregulation -- it also symbolized an era of sweeping change in Japanese society. Let April 19th be a chance to discover the little-known history behind the familiar pastime of horseback riding.