Chapter 1: Introduction to horse racing

I think there are many people who don’t know about horse racing, which is an important part of Japanese culture, so I would like to introduce it to you.

Horse racing is a sport that literally pits horses against each other, and has been enjoyed in many countries since ancient times. However, horse racing in Japan is more than just a sport or gambling; it has a deep cultural background.

Horse racing in Japan already existed in the Edo period, but at that time it was mainly held as a ritual or event. The youth of the village competed on horseback on the grounds of shrines and during festivals, and while it also had the meaning of praying for a good harvest, it was also a form of entertainment for the local people.

As Western culture entered the Meiji era, horse racing was also influenced by it. During this period, it began to be held as a competition to test the skills of horses and jockeys, similar to modern horse racing. As horse racing tournaments and races began to be held mainly in urban areas, many citizens and tourists began to gather there, and horse racing became an established part of Japan’s popular culture.

Even today, horse racing has many fans, and people flock to racetracks and off-track betting (OTB) facilities to enjoy the excitement and tension. The appeal of horse racing lies in the beauty and strength of the horses, the skill and strategy of the jockeys, and the thrill of betting on the outcome of the race. Each horse has its own background and story, and fans follow them and watch their achievements and accomplishments.

Horse racing is also deeply connected to Japan’s tradition and history, as well as to changes in modern society. For example, there are big races that give a sense of the season, such as the Oka Sho'' during the spring cherry blossom season, and theTenno Sho Autumn” during the fall foliage season. These laces, along with the seasonal traditions of Japan, captivate people’s hearts.

In this way, horse racing continues to fascinate the hearts of many people while being closely connected to Japan’s history, culture, and society. Behind this is the Japanese people’s love and respect for horses, as well as their enthusiasm for sports and entertainment.

Chapter 2: Historical and cultural background

We will tell you how horse racing has developed in Japan until now, including history and culture.

The origins of horse racing are very old, with records of horse racing already dating back to the Nara and Heian periods in Japan. At that time, horse racing was mainly performed as entertainment among the court and aristocrats, and the purpose was to compete in horsemanship.

In the Edo period, horse racing began to become popular among the common people, and various horse races began to be held mainly in urban areas. Horse racing during this period also had the aspect of a Shinto ritual or event, and was often held during festivals at specific shrines and temples. Against this background, horse racing in Japan has developed as something closely related to religion and Shinto rituals.

In the Meiji period, horse racing underwent major changes with the introduction of Western culture. During this period, Western horse racing systems and rules were introduced, and horse racing became established as a modern-day sport. In particular, Emperor Meiji encouraged horse racing, and many racecourses were established, which encouraged the development of horse racing culture.

In the Showa era, horse racing in Japan evolved further and established itself as a major form of entertainment. With the economic growth of the Showa era, many people visited racetracks, and hundreds of thousands of people came to visit racetracks on big race days. During this era, many famous horses and jockeys appeared, and their famous races and anecdotes are still talked about by many horse racing fans today.

Additionally, from the Showa era to the Heisei era, the appeal of horse racing further expanded with the spread of television and mass media. Famous races, famous horses, and the achievements of jockeys were instantly communicated to people all over the country, and horse racing became even more popular.

The development of horse racing in Japan is deeply influenced by social, cultural, and historical backgrounds. Horse racing has gone beyond just sports and gambling; it has become closely connected to the lives, sensibilities, and values of the Japanese people. Behind this is Japan’s unique history and culture, which is one of the reasons why horse racing is so appealing.

Chapter 3: Horse racing in modern times

Let me introduce you to what horse racing is like in modern Japan.

In modern Japan, horse racing is a sport that is loved by a wide range of people, and while it also has aspects of gambling, it captures the hearts of many people. Thanks to the spread of television broadcasts, newspapers, and the Internet, horse racing information is instantly delivered to fans all over the country, and as a result, excitement among fans is increasing.

Modern horse racing has many big races with huge prize money on the line, and these races have become major events that attract top-class horses and jockeys from Japan and abroad. For example, the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby), Tenno Sho, and Takarazuka Kinen events attract large crowds of spectators every year to the racecourses and in front of televisions to watch the results.

On the other hand, racetracks, which are the stage for horse racing, have also undergone various evolutions in recent years. Racecourses in the city center are becoming popular not only for horse racing, but also for dining, shopping, and entertainment, with an increasing number of facilities and events targeting families, couples, and young people. In particular, on days when there are no races, flea markets and live events are sometimes held within the racecourse, and it also serves as a community space for the local area.

Additionally, with the evolution of digital technology in recent years, it has become possible to easily purchase horse racing tickets from home or on the go using a smartphone or tablet. This kind of convenience is a factor in creating a new fan base.

Furthermore, Japanese horse racing is becoming more diverse with the participation of female and foreign jockeys. The success of female jockeys has expanded the fan base of horse racing, and the participation of foreign jockeys has given it an increasingly international character. This has made horse racing a culture that is accepted by a wider range of people.

Horse racing in modern Japan exists as a unique culture that combines tradition and innovation. While horse racing has a historical background, it continues to evolve with new technology and values, and will continue to capture the hearts of many people.

Chapter 4: Famous works featuring horse racing

Let’s take a look at some of the famous works that feature horse racing.

The Japanese entertainment industry has long produced a variety of horse racing-themed works. These works convey the charm and drama of horse racing, as well as the bond between people and horses. In addition, these works are loved not only by horse racing fans but also by general viewers and readers, and have greatly contributed to the spread and deepening of horse racing culture.

First, the most influential works are manga and anime. For example, “Uma Musume Pretty Derby” has a unique setting in which characters based on real racehorses act as idols, and it has attracted many fans. This work succeeds in conveying the fun and drama of horse racing in a new way.

Another manga that depicts a more realistic world of horse racing is “Kaze no Sylphide.” This work depicts the growth and challenges of a girl who aspires to become a jockey, and the content makes you feel the rigor and charm of horse racing, as well as the deep bond between people and horses.

There are many movies and dramas that have horse racing as their theme. For example, the movie Rising Sun'' depicts the human drama of the real-life racehorse Heart's Cry and the people around him, and it captured the hearts of many horse racing fans and movie fans. The dramaHorse Doctor Kurashi” depicts the life of the main character, who works as a horse doctor, against the background of the history and culture of horse racing.

Even in the world of novels, there are many works based on horse racing. Among them, “Seiun Sky” is a story based on a real racehorse, and depicts the human drama behind its life and background.

Through these works, we can see that horse racing is not just a sport or gambling, but is deeply rooted in people’s lives, culture, and hearts. These famous works featuring horse racing play an important role in conveying the charm and drama of horse racing to many people.

Chapter 5: Summary

A summary of horse racing.

The culture of horse racing in Japan has a historical background in which it has been loved by many people since ancient times. This is because not only is it fun as a sport or a gamble, but also the deep bond with the living creatures called horses and the many human dramas hidden behind it that captivate the hearts of many fans.

When we talk about horse racing, we can feel the effort and passion of the jockeys, trainers, and of course the horses. Each race requires precise strategies and instant decisions, and based on these, an exciting and tense drama unfolds. Therefore, when you visit a racetrack, there is a sense of emotion and excitement that goes beyond just racing.

Additionally, as mentioned earlier, many entertainment works have been produced with horse racing as the theme. This proves that horse racing is not just a sport or gambling, but is deeply rooted in Japanese culture and people’s lives. Therefore, through these works, even more people have become fascinated with horse racing.

Horse racing is a sport that involves complex elements that require skill, knowledge, and luck, but more than that, it is about the bond with the horse, and the passion and efforts of the various people involved in racing. These elements combine to provide us with emotion and excitement.

Finally, horse racing is a part of Japan’s traditional culture and will continue to be loved by many people. As we continue to enjoy horse racing, I hope that we will continue to visit racetracks in search of new impressions and excitement while gaining a sense of its deep background and charm.