Archery Rocks

So this regular updating isn't going to well, is it. I am going to keep trying though! がんばります！


This time I'm going to talk about kyudo, Japanese archery.

An archer in full uniform

I began asking about Kyudo in late summer last year and with the help of my coordinator and the board of education began attending Kyudo once a week starting the last week of November or so. It's difficult but i really love it.

Kyudo is a very traditional Japanese sport so you have to follow a long process before even touching a bow but I got to speed it up a little bit. Most of this is for the build up of unused muscles and the practice of muscle memory. There is a specific line of motions you must follow when shooting.

The general positions of kyudo

First you begin with a rope the has knots for your hands to slide into position. Next you move to "gomu" or rubber practice to build your muscles, at my kyudo club I first used a regular "gomu" and then a thicker, stronger one. After that, I began practice with the bow and know arrows. I then used and arrow but without releasing before practicing close range with a hay target. During this time I was allowed to release at the target a few times but was given the okay for regular release two weeks ago.

The reason it takes so long is that there are a lot of little things to get right but the process is incredibly enjoyable. Because you must focus so much on your movements and the target the time spent at practice really clears your head. 

Every time I leave kyudo I feel refreshed and relaxed. It's amazing. 

I also really love my club. They take time out of their own practice to help me out, check my stance, give advice and one of the women even bought me an adorable cloth cloth for under my leather one (it's got bunnies on it!). 

I don't have any pictures because ... well, I practice at practice. I really like it and hope that when I leave Japan I'll be able to continue. It's one of the absolute best things I've gotten involved with since coming here.

'Nuff Said,

Crysania