Kyudo
Kyudo is one of the oldest martial arts in Japan. Kyudo translates as “the way of the bow”, but is commonly called simply “Japanese archery”.
Kyudo’s historical roots date back as far as 500 BCE during the Yayoi period of Japanese history. By the 11th century, during the Heian period, ritualization and standardization was taking place. Different schools and styles of kyudo were emerging, and the bow and arrow were integrated into many Shinto practices. Kyudo became synonymous with the Japanese warrior, and was, along with the horse, the badge of the samurai even before the sword was. Proficiency with the bow and arrow were required of warriors and expected of gentlemen.
Photo by Warren Savary
During the Tokugawa period the bow was no longer used on the battlefield, but remained popular in other contexts, including as one of the –DO, or “Ways” of self-discipline (much like kendo or judo), and as a competitive sport. Today it is widely popular in high schools and universities in Japan, and is practiced by many adults in private and public dojos throughout Japan. Many of the traditional schools of kyudo still exist, and an umbrella organization has been put together to organize and coordinate the way kyudo is taught and practiced, and to hold competitions, seminars and rank tests
Kyudo today is being practiced throughout the world.
Kyudo has some interesting contrasts with western archery. It uses a much longer bow (almost eight feet long) that is very similar to the ones used back in the Heian Period. Traditionally made of bamboo, but also produced now of fiberglass and carbon fiber components. The bow is a recurve with an off center grip. (The grip is between a short, heavy lower limb and a much longer, lighter upper limb.) Arrows are held on the side of the bow away from the archer, and they are drawn with the thumb rather than the finger tips. Archers wear a special shooting glove called a yugake, and follow a ritualized eight-step kata called the hassetsu to shoot the arrow.
Equipment
Kyudo requires about as much gear as most other sports, though they are very specific to the sport. All kyudo practicioners require a yumi (bow), ya (arrows), a yugake (glove), and a gi (uniform; white top with black hakama and belt). For beginning practicioners, a gi can be purchased at a later time (as they are usually worn during formal shooting events).
At the Arizona Kyudo Kai, we have club supplies that we can lend out to beginners during practice. Those who wish to join more permanently will be asked to purchase a yugake, but all other equipment (bow and arrows) will still be provided!
Photo from Wikipedia by user Aabh
Hassetsu
The hassetsu are the eight steps that all kyudo practicioners must learn when firing their arrows. The goal of kyudo is to internalize these steps and eventually master them.
The eight steps are as follows: ashibumi (placing the feet), dozukuri (forming the body), yugamae (readying the bow), uchiokoshi (raising the bow), hikiwake (draw), kai (full draw), hanare (release), and zanshin (focus on the shot).
These steps will be the first thing you are taught at our club as they are the basis for all shooting that takes place in kyudo.
Shooting
Traditionally, kyudo is a martial sport and, is therefore, focused on not just the spirtitual but also the practical application of Japanese archery.
In competitions as well as everyday practice, kyudo is practiced at 28 meters. Shooting happens both at informal and formal levels: either through casual, individual shooting or ritualized, group shooting.
Beginners who have learned the hassetsu will first start firing at a makiwara, a large target used at a distance of one meter. Once practicioners have demonstrated proper form in their hassetsu, they will be allowed to fire at the targets further down range.