Kaburaya (鏑矢) is a type of a traditional Japanese arrow, designed to make a loud piercing whistling sound when shot. Kabura is a hollow, turnip-shaped bulb, that varied in size and shape and was usually made from wood, bamboo or deer horn, installed at the tip of an arrow or ya.
Historically, kaburaya were used by the samurai in feudal Japan to signal the start of battle, coordinate troop movements, intimidate enemies with their eerie sound or for communication over long distances. They were part of ritual archery exchanges before formal combat, especially during the Heian and Kamakura period.
Nowadays kaburaya are used in Shinto rituals, as it’s believed their sound wards off evil spirits. They are sold at shrines as a good luck charm, especially around New Year’s. Kaburaya are also used in rituals that succeed ancient customs such as yabusame or they can be used as kazariya, arrow crafted for decorative purpose in homes.
Inspired by the original, we decided to create our own version of kaburaya that would produce similar sounds and be easy to use. The version we designed is smaller, as the name – ko meaning small- already suggests. We named it Kokabura as term of endearment, echoing the resemblance of its sound to the iconic call of the kookaburra.
Since they are made from biodegradable plastic and therefore lighter, they can be used on all kinds of arrows, without needing to have bigger fletching. Available in classic red any other custom colour each piece gains unique and modern character. We hope that Kokabura will bring joy to its owners as they aim to blend the charm of tradition with a contemporary spirit.