The Art of Shooting
Liam O’Brien, Kyoshi 8 Dan of the London Kyudo Society, UKKA.
‘Technique cannot be considered without an understanding of spiritual energy. Neither aspect can function without the other. The acquisition of technique grows with the increase in body-mind awareness to form a harmonious working together of the bow, body and spirit.
Balance is taken physically and emotionally from the centre of the body. Unlike a Western bow where the focus is primarily around the shoulders and arms, with the Japanese bow the centre of attention is placed in the region below the navel known as the Tanden. The vitality and energy of the body-mind is generated from this point, creating a sense of centred-ness and well being.
The bow has always had a deep historical and cultural significance for the Japanese. Since earliest times the Japanese bow has served both the sacred and the functional. Its practical development has never diminished respect for its beauty and the simple elegance of its form. Even throughout its long history as a weapon of war the bow was still seen as a symbolic and aesthetic object.
When the bow became obsolete as a weapon the spiritual aspect of archery was developed as a discipline for peace and self-cultivation. This was achieved by uniting the vigour of the warrior tradition with the dignity of the ceremonial. As a path for personal growth and development, the concept of Reisetsu – respect for the other, became the moral discipline which united these two aspects and formed the foundation for the modern practice of Kyudo – the Way of the Bow.
Anzawa Heijiro (1887 – 1970)
Kyudo in the West.
From the later part of the nineteenth century, an interest in things Japanese and oriental grew in the West. Between Europe and Japan this evolved beyond the stage of simple curiosity and exotic fascination to become a basis for solid scholastic interest and a growing exchange of information and ideas. In the 1930s the German philosopher Eugene Herrigel wrote his small classic Zen in the Art of Archery in which he related his own experience of studying kyudo in Japan. This book was to be the first introduction of kyudo into the West.
Herrigel’s involvement in kyudo was singular for the time, and it was only in the post-war period, when a greater contact with Japan took place, that slowly individual Europeans came into contact with kyudo and brought their direct experience back with them to their own countries. Since these introductions in the late 1960s there has been a slow but gradual growth of interest, with now 15 European nations forming a European Kyudo Federation, and in 2006 the establishment of an international organisation – The International Kyudo Federation (IKYF).
As a part of the mutually enriching cultural interchange between East and West, kyudo has much to offer. Not only does it represent many threads of culture and tradition but it focuses on the fundamental aspects of the human condition. With a sporting aspect but not a sport, with a spiritual aspect but not a religion, as a physical discipline but with a powerful psychological and emotional power, kyudo is hard to frame within normal categories. But this diversity provides a means for balancing these very different dimensions of human life within a single activity. Especially in the West, where the mental, physical and spiritual aspects have become so dislocated, kyudo has a very special role to play.
In Japan too, the period after the war saw the emergence of a fast-growing modern state. Reflecting the new social changes, in 1949, a national kyudo federation was formed to promote and develop an understanding of kyudo within a modern context. While its focus as a discipline on altruistic and aesthetic values was seen as having meaning to deepen and enrich people’s lives, it was also recognised that in emphasising its sporting aspect, it could gain popular involvement. Kyudo became part of the school curriculum, and is practised at club level in high schools and universities. The All Nippon Kyudo Federation, which has over half a million members in Japan, has supported the growth of Kyudo in the West. Kyudo masters from Japan visit Europe on a regular basis and, through their teaching, an authentic understanding of the practice is maintained.
It is essential for those who have an interest in taking up the art of kyudo to understand that it is not simply a form of archery but a Japanese cultural practice. As well as learning how to shoot a Japanese bow, students must be prepared to learn the ritualised movements that are part of the tradition and cultivate concentration and awareness. As with any sport or recreational activity, there are physical and mental challenges which are part of the development of attitude and character. However, kyudo does not allow for self indulgence or a personal approach. In coming into kyudo practice, students must leave their own opinions and assumptions aside and accept the practice as it is.
Because kyudo requires the insight and realisation of the student to find the correct form, and because this is only found through practice, regular commitment to training is essential. In addition, all practice must be supervised and under the guidance of a competent instructor. Kyudo cannot be self-taught. Safety and the learning of correct form requires supervised practice and because training by oneself leads to erroneous practice and the forming of bad habits, it is not advised.
Although kyudo has amateur status and there are no fees for instruction, students must be prepared to buy their own equipment and travel to seminars, some of which are abroad. Students must have the means to fulfill this part of their commitment.
Students are advised not to buy equipment without the advice of their instructor. The selection of the right equipment requires experience and an understanding of individual needs. Students are also not advised to practise by themselves (apart from form training to add to the dojo practice) as this may be unsafe and again may encourage bad habits.
What is involved in taking up Kyudo?
About Us
We are the first Kyudo club in Ireland created in 2019, currently consist of few active members. We are meeting weekly throughout the year to train together. The Dojo leader is Maciej Grygorczuk.
Our current Dojo is a Community Hall in Old Town. It doesn’t allow us for shooting at full distance however it is sufficient for Hassetsu and Taihai training.
We are affiliated directly with UKKA and we are grateful for their guidance on our journey of attaining the Kyudo goal of harmony of body and spirit.
Where:
OLDTOWN COMMUNITY HALL
OLDTOWN
CO. DUBLIN
A45 T213
Contact us using the form below.
When:
Every Sunday throughout the year
9am – 11am
Please contact us to arrange a visit so that you can watch a training session.
Who:
Over eighteens only.
We welcome beginners, as well as intermediate and advanced kyudo archers. You can start learning kyudo at any time of the year, and will not be required to purchase a bow, arrows and shooting-glove until you have been training with us regularly for at least half year.
How Much:
There is an annual fee of 40EUR to cover insurance and administration, and 30EUR per month. All fees are used to cover the hall rental and support the practice.
Kyudo Ireland
