traditional horse-racing; shrine horse race
Refers to a traditional Japanese horse-racing event, especially the one held on May 5 at Kamigamo Shrine in Kyoto. Originally involved two horses racing head-to-head or up to ten at a time. Not used for modern horse racing (競馬/けいば).
The Kamo horse race is held every year on May 5.
Traditional horse racing has been performed as a Shinto ritual since ancient times.
Standard kanji spelling for this traditional horse-racing term.
Kana-kanji mixed spelling; may be easier for learners to read.
Irregular okurigana usage; normally read けいば for modern horse racing. Use only in historical or shrine contexts.
Compound of 競べ (くらべ, 'comparing, contest') and 馬 (うま, 'horse'). The spelling 競馬 with irregular okurigana is historically used for this traditional event, but in modern Japanese it is almost always read けいば for horse racing.