Hashiyumi

**Hashiyumi** (Shingōan: 走弓) is the most widely-played organized sport in the world and is especially popular in Shingō, Tsukimoto, and Yokoze. In 380 G.E., Hashiyumi was officially recognized as the national sport of the Imperial Republic of Shingō. It is played by a minimum of two opposing players who attempt to score points by shooting targets on a wall and running to a base at the end of the field. The objective of players on defense is to shoot and hit the offensive player before they can reach the base. The game typically ends once either team scores around 5 or 6 points.

## How to Play

Hashiyumi is a game played by two opposing teams — both of whom may only have one of their players participating in the game at a time — who take turns shooting and defending. The game proceeds when a player from the shooting team shoots at one of three potential targets located in the back of the field from a marked pad in the front of the field.

The objective of the shooter is to successfully hit one of these three targets, after which they will attempt to run to run around a marked path circling the center of the field and reach the opposing team's 'base' without being shot by the opposing defender. Upon successfully reaching the opposing team's 'base' without being shot (known as completing a point), the shooter will be awarded either one whole point or a half potential point, depending on which target they chose to shoot. Higher, typically gold-colored targets will reward one whole point while lower, typically silver-colored targets will reward potential points. If a player completes two potential points, they will be rewarded with 2 points; however, both of these completions must occur during the same possession (i.e. without obtaining 3 "outs").

When playing on defense, players must wait directly behind the pressure plate of their 'base' until an opposing player successfully hits a backfield target, after which they may begin running. Defending players must first enter the area of the field marked with grey lines before attempting to shoot the player on offense. Any shots fired before entering this designated area will not be considered valid.

Possessions describe the period during which a team is shooting and has the opportunity to score. A team's possession will end after said team receives three "outs" or "marks," which are given due to missed shots at backfield targets or being shot by a defender while attempting to complete a point. Once one team's possession ends, the roles of the teams are swapped, with the previously defending team being given the opportunity to shoot and earn points. There are no limits on the number of possessions that may occur in a game; however, common rules and practices dictate that a game should end once either team has scored five points.

## History

Hashiyumi has been played in several countries for generations and is believed to have evolved from an earlier version of the game based in the Abira region of Shingō. The first official match of Hashiyumi utilizing the current rule system was played in 368 G.E., but, earlier versions with different rules are believed to have been played as early as 304 G.E. In 380 G.E., Hashiyumi was officially recognized as the national sport of the Imperial Republic of Shingō. Hashiyumi is played in several countries across Tōkai, but its popularity is especially noticeable in Shingō and Tsukimoto.

## Int'l Hashiyumi Association

While the International Hashiyumi Association (国際走弓協会, *Kokusai Hashiyumi Kyōkai*) had existed since 389 G.E., its modern form began in 393 when all major teams from Tsukimoto and Yokoze joined the association. The IHA, also called the KHK, is one of the oldest international sporting groups in the world.