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.

Heijoushin is written in Japanese with three kanji. Hei means flat, uniforme. Jou means daily, constant. Shin means hearth, spirit. It's a very important concept not only in kyudo but in all the martial arts. It regards 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.