Come along with us and learn all about the martial art of Japanese archery, Kyudo. This was truly a once in a lifetime experience that we will never forget!
Beginner in Kyudo To non-Japanese people, Kyudo, Japanese archery with an overly long, asymmetrical bow and arrows over a meter long, is initially quite foreign due to its appearance. This type of archery is often quickly reduced to a “slightly different” type of sport archery because as a non-Japanese you have not yet been touched by Shintoism or Zen Buddhism. But these are essential elements of Kyudo in Japan! Therefore, it must be noted that almost all non-Japanese initially completely misunderstand the essence of Kyudo! Kyudo has its origins in martial archery (Kyujutsu -> archery technique), in which a missed shot meant certain death. Kyudo also has its origins in Shintoism, in which the bow can be understood as (greatly simplified) a connecting link between earth, man and heaven. And Kyudo also has a connection to Zen Buddhism, in which the current action must take place in the correct way at the right moment with the practitioner's full concentration. Some therefore understand Kyudo as Zen in movement. Old, traditional movements at court are responsible for the slow form when walking, standing, kneeling... Today Kyudo is available as a compulsory subject at universities, as a sport-based competition, as a leisure activity for senior citizens... and as a strictly regulated form within the framework of the Japanese umbrella organization ANKF and the global IKYF. In addition, many providers are more interested in the commercial offer of Kyudo as an offer for esoteric groups or managers - and earn quite a lot in the process! The beginner should think about what he wants! There is absolutely nothing to be said against an archer who already shoots other bows wanting to shoot with the Japanese longbow because he expects his range of motion to be expanded. But that's not Kyudo yet! This is “just” shooting with a special type of longbow. From this perspective in particular, it is absolutely necessary to seek out an expert to help you learn the technically completely different shooting technique with the Japanese longbow. A DIY beginner makes it difficult for himself and will usually fail! Even when choosing a bow, beginners far too often choose bows that are too difficult to draw. Even experienced shooters with a 40lb recurve bow (18kg) should start with a no stronger Yumi of 12kg because the existing muscle mass does not correspond to the muscle area required in Kyudo and the Kyudon newbie will resort to the existing but “wrong” muscles. This doesn't last long. The bow and arrow must suit the shooter and his current shooting technique. Only a teacher can judge that. Beginner mistakes are difficult to correct later. Therefore: 1) Find a Kyudo teacher! If you can't find one, wait. 2) Complete at least a three-month induction. 3) Do not purchase materials independently without asking the teacher first. I do kyudo more than 25 years...
Thanks for the extra info! Hopefully, we captured the idea here in the video, but I don't know if you can really understand until you try it for yourself!
Lovely video and thanks for joining the experience.
Beginner in Kyudo
To non-Japanese people, Kyudo, Japanese archery with an overly long, asymmetrical bow and arrows over a meter long, is initially quite foreign due to its appearance.
This type of archery is often quickly reduced to a “slightly different” type of sport archery because as a non-Japanese you have not yet been touched by Shintoism or Zen Buddhism.
But these are essential elements of Kyudo in Japan!
Therefore, it must be noted that almost all non-Japanese initially completely misunderstand the essence of Kyudo!
Kyudo has its origins in martial archery (Kyujutsu -> archery technique), in which a missed shot meant certain death.
Kyudo also has its origins in Shintoism, in which the bow can be understood as (greatly simplified) a connecting link between earth, man and heaven.
And Kyudo also has a connection to Zen Buddhism, in which the current action must take place in the correct way at the right moment with the practitioner's full concentration. Some therefore understand Kyudo as Zen in movement.
Old, traditional movements at court are responsible for the slow form when walking, standing, kneeling...
Today Kyudo is available as a compulsory subject at universities, as a sport-based competition, as a leisure activity for senior citizens... and as a strictly regulated form within the framework of the Japanese umbrella organization ANKF and the global IKYF.
In addition, many providers are more interested in the commercial offer of Kyudo as an offer for esoteric groups or managers - and earn quite a lot in the process!
The beginner should think about what he wants!
There is absolutely nothing to be said against an archer who already shoots other bows wanting to shoot with the Japanese longbow because he expects his range of motion to be expanded. But that's not Kyudo yet! This is “just” shooting with a special type of longbow.
From this perspective in particular, it is absolutely necessary to seek out an expert to help you learn the technically completely different shooting technique with the Japanese longbow.
A DIY beginner makes it difficult for himself and will usually fail!
Even when choosing a bow, beginners far too often choose bows that are too difficult to draw. Even experienced shooters with a 40lb recurve bow (18kg) should start with a no stronger Yumi of 12kg because the existing muscle mass does not correspond to the muscle area required in Kyudo and the Kyudon newbie will resort to the existing but “wrong” muscles. This doesn't last long.
The bow and arrow must suit the shooter and his current shooting technique.
Only a teacher can judge that. Beginner mistakes are difficult to correct later.
Therefore:
1) Find a Kyudo teacher! If you can't find one, wait.
2) Complete at least a three-month induction.
3) Do not purchase materials independently without asking the teacher first.
I do kyudo more than 25 years...
Thanks for the extra info! Hopefully, we captured the idea here in the video, but I don't know if you can really understand until you try it for yourself!
That's a great and informative comment, thanks!
So beautiful and so very disciplined.