Here you can see the opening ceremony (Yawatashi) performed by Iijima Masao Sensei (Hanshi Hachi dan) at IKYF International Kyudo Seminar in Tokyo.

On 15 January, to celebrate the new year, takes place in the Sanjusangendo temple in Kyuto an event called “Toshiya”. The event brings together every year more than 1000 people.

Girls who become adults (20 years in Japan) compete wearing beautiful kimono.

Would you like to practice kyudo in Japan? Here you find some useful address from the site of JNTO (Japan National Turist Organization).

via Kyudo / Sport / Attività all’aperto / Cose da fare e da vedere / Home – JNTO – Ente Nazionale del Turismo Giapponese.

kyudojo

Dojo literally means “place where follow the way”. The term is common to all the Japanese martial arts. As an example the place where  kendo is practiced is called kendojo and the place where judo is practiced is called judojo. In the same way the place where kyudo is practiced is called kyudojo.

Entering in a dojo it is necessary leave behind all the problems of the everiday life, practice with a pure spirit and engage themselves always to the maximum in order to achieve improvements in the own art. It is moreover necessary to conform to the rules of the dojo and demonstrate respect for the place and others kyudoka. Every rule, than to a profane can seem a useless formalism, has instead its very specifies origin and ragion of being.

Dojo literally means “place where follow the way”. The term is common to all the Japanese martial arts. As an example the place where  kendo is practiced is called kendojo and the place where judo is practiced is called judojo. In the same way the place where kyudo is practiced is called kyudojo.

Entering in a dojo it is necessary leave behind all the problems of the everiday life, practice with a pure spirit and engage themselves always to the maximum in order to achieve improvements in the own art. It is moreover necessary to conform to the rules of the dojo and demonstrate respect for the place and others kyudoka. Every rule, than to a profane can seem a useless formalism, has instead its very specifies origin and ragion of being.

The dojo shuould always be kept in a perfect state of cleanliness. Before and after the practice in the dojo is required to dedicate the necessary time to this activity. The cleaning is done by the archers and also this activity should be considered as a part of the practice of kyudo. The importance of the cleanliness go beyond the obvious necessities tied to the hygiene, is related to the respect to place where the practice take place.

Although often for practical reasons the kyudojo consist of a gymnasium or any other place that has enough space to carry out the practice, the dojo standard structure, layout and measures defined. The width varies depending on the number of mato (targets), which can accommodate.

Before entering in a dojo is necessary, just as it does in Japanese homes, remove the shoes. The area in which you move the kyudoka during the practice has the wooden floor, is covered with a ceiling and is open in side facing the targets.

1.The distance between the line shooting (shai) and the target (mato) is 28 meters.

2. Yamichi: The area crossed by arrow (usually green or sand) to reach the target.

3. Azuchi: è un “muro” di sabbia pressata con inclinazione di 15-20 gradi nel quale vengono posti i mato (bersagli).

4. Matoba: It is a “wall” of sand pressed with inclination of 15-20 degrees where are places the mato (targets).

5. Kantekijo: It is the place where the kanteki stay during the kyudo practice.

6. Yatori-michi: A corridor, often overcast, that kyudoka cover to recover the arrows after the shooting.

7. Kamiza: It is the place, facing south, where the kami are placed and accepted guests of honor.

8. Shai: The line where the kyudoka is positioned, with the face turned towards kamiza, to shot.

9. Honza: Starting line.

10. Makiwara:  The area is where the makiwara (target training) take place.

Meijijingu Annual National Competition

平常心 (heijoushin) is written in Japanese with three kanji. 平 (hei) means flat, uniforme. 常 (jou) means daily, constant. 心 (shin) means hearth, spirit. It’s a very important concept not only in kyudo but in all the martial arts. It concerns the ability to maintain a calm, constant and firm spirit also in the situations that can put in agitation our spirit.

In the past the concept of heijoushin had for samurai a great importance. Independently from the time that a samurai dedicated to the learning of its art, its life was often decided in a fight that was concluded in few moments. In such moments it was vital to maintain the lucidity necessary in order to express the own abilities at best. That that was decided was the life or the dead.

As in every budo art also in the kyudo heijoushin it is important. It’s necessary to succeed to practice kyudo in the important occasions with the same calm and lucidity that we have in the practical daily. It is an aspect of the kyudo that should  be learned and that is index of the maturity of a kyudoka.

kyudo

Kyudo, literally meaning “way of the bow”, is the Japanese art of archery. Kyudo is a rare sport in the sense that it is not dependent on age or sex. If the practitioner is dedicated, male or female, they can learn at any age. It’s never too early or too late to learn Kyudo. Although one could learn Kyudo at any point in their life, it can take a lifetime to perfect.

In its most pure form, kyudo is practiced as an art and as a means of moral and spiritual development. Many archers practice kyudo as a sport, with marksmanship being paramount. However, the goal most devotees of kyudu seek is seisha seichu, “correct shooting is correct hitting”. In kyudo the unique action of expansion (nobiai) that results in a natural release, is strived for. When the spirit and balance of the shooting is correct the result will be for the arrow to arrive in the target. To give oneself completely to the shooting is the spiritual goal. In this respect, many kyudo practitioners believe that competition, examination, and any opportunity that places the archer in this uncompromising situation is important, while other practitioners will avoid competitions or examinations of any kind.

From: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia