A samurai practising mounted archery with kabura-ya
Kabura-ya (鏑矢, or literally "turnip-headed arrow") were a type of arrow used in feudal Japan, mostly during ritualised single combat. Due to the unique tip, the arrows eerily "whistled" as they flew through the air. The exact purpose of the arrows was often multi-faceted, a fact reflected in their many other English names; "messenger arrows", "whistling bulb arrows" or "signal arrows". In China, the similar Xingjian (meaning "see" in English, although sometimes changed to mingdi meaning "whistle") were often used as late as the Warlord Era in order to announce the presence of a bandit group, or to signal an attack.
Purpose[]
In feudal Japan, Kabura-ya were predominantly used before an engagement between samurai; in accordance with the honourable side of bushido each side was expected to announce their presence to the enemy before attacking. This process of each individual warrior announcing their arrival, accompanied by the statement of names and accomplishments, could often take a long time. Such is the case at the battle of Kurikara in 1183, a process that apparently continued until night fell, although ultimately it was a distraction in order to allow for an ambush.
Samurai combat of the late Heian and early Kamakura Periods were notably ritualised affairs, much like single combat in Europe. Warriors were expected to announce their arrival, accompanied by their full names, achievements and often lineages in order to gauge their opponents reputation and quality. Kabura-ya were fired in order to cleanse the battlefield of evil spirits (usually yōkai) as well as encourage kami ("friendly spirits" or "gods") to bless the site in favour of each side. Although they bear similarities to the whistling arrows of the Mongols (used predominantly during hunts) the Kabura-ya were likely not intended to scare enemies, due to their ritualised nature.
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