SHIN (Truth) In Kyudo, the truth is that which knows no deceit. As said in the idiom, straight as an arrow, arrows naturally fly straight, and so one might ask, how could a shot of an arrow possibly be deceitful? Seeking the answer to this doubt is an essential aspect of Kyudo. Actually, most part of the act of shooting the bow is seeking for the truth. Every shot is devoted to getting closer to the truth. The truth of the bow is measured by sae (serenity), tsurune (the sound of the bowstring) and tekichu (the accuracy of the shot). The way of the bow is a process of seeking SHIN by improving these skills shot by shot. ZEN (Goodness) ZEN is the manifest for the ethical aspect of Kyudo. The ethics of Kyudo such as rei (courtesy) or fuso (non-confrontation) emphasizes one to always stay calm and not to lose one s mind. These days, it is natural for anyone to seek sophistication, introspection, peace or equality. Kyudo does not promote strife, hostility or vengeance. The crucial idea of Kyudo is to fraternize, to associate, to be at peace with others and to maintain serenity at all times. This discipline is the basis of Kyudo. Nowadays, decline in moral standards are often questioned. The ethics of Kyudo could be a key to overcome this general problem. BI (Beauty) Beauty is usually appreciated as something visually pleasant. However, in Kyudo, beauty lies in SHIN and ZEN. Jarai is one way of showing this concept. Japanese bows are exquisitely beautiful in shape but what really stimulates the sense of beauty is the dignity, the shintai shusen and the rhythmical movement created by a calm state of mind. This feature is original to the Japanese way of the bow. German philosopher, Eugen Herrigel said British bows are held at shoulder-height and drawn with large physical force. On the other hand, Japanese bows are held up and then pulled down, so you only need to open your arms and no physical force is required. The beauty of Kyudo is this force-free shooting style. There are the three fundamental ethics of Kyudo, a guideline for the present and the future Kyudo practitioners.
KYUDO WORDS Shin Zen Bi Shin Zen Bi The truth which knows no deception The good which holds true with reason The appreciation of Beauty Tsurune The sound made when the Yumi is shot Sae Fuso The state of being serene Non- aggression, pacifism Heijosin Presence of mind Bugi The skill of a martial art
Mental attitude of kyudo The purpose of present day Kyudo is to enjoy and to enrich our daily life. For students, it is not only a way to train the body but an ideal way to train the mind as well. For others, it is a good way to stay fit and to acquire high spirituality at the same time. Although the way of Kyudo has changed throughout history, it has found a place in the modern world. Kyudo is not like any other sport. The proponent is the target, not another player, and you can enjoy it by yourself. It is simple. It is accessible. It can be practiced by men or women of all ages as each individual can use a bow that is just right in size and strength. Further more, it is possible to practice in any weather and there is no specified rule on how long one should practice. Basically you just aim and shoot at a stationary target. The result is judged not only by either a hit or a miss. How the shagyo (process of shooting) was carried out is also counted in, thus, never the same. A good sha (shooting of the arrow) comes from good posture. You must stand with your back straight, pull your shoulders back to keep perfect balance, focus your energy on the tanden (a power spot in the lower abdomen), concentrate to the limit and then, release the arrow. All this leads to an accurate hit. You wait, and when you see that the time is right for you, the bow and the target, you release the arrow calmly, accurately and boldly. If you do your best, you might miss the target, but that is solely your problem. You reflect on what you might have done wrong. This reflection process is a big part of discipline and also the reason why Kyudo is so deeply appreciated. Japanese bows have no sighting device attached.
As Kyudo practitioners depend only on their senses, they could be easily influenced by their surroundings or other archers results and quite often, miss their aim even by the slightest disturbance. To avoid this, one can only practice the fundamental movements over and over again. It is of course important to improve on hitting the target technically, but it is more important to cultivate fudoshin (unwavering state of mind) so that you can always conduct gyosha accurately anywhere, anytime, in any circumstance. Kyudo is now a sport in a way. You have opponents to compete with but not to fight against. There is victory and defeat but competing is not the point. Any opponent must be respected. If you lose your calm by being preoccupied with the competition, you have abused the spirit of Kyudo. There must always be a clear line here. A practitioner who does not get carried away in competition is usually a good contestant. As Kyudo increased its feature as a sport, it has gained wider popularity and most likely to keep going. However, Kyudo has many other features. Kyudo is an ascetic practice. It is a quest for the ultimate essence of the art. In Kyudo, the competitive aspect grows through aiming and hitting the target. Along the way, there comes a time when practitioners learn that if you get too preoccupied in just hitting the target, you will most likely lose your calm. There is no awkward kyusha as that thrust by such blinded archers. There is so much to be learned from the simple act of kyusha.
KYUDO WORDS Shaho hassetsu Kyudo Budou Mato Atari Hazure Shagyou Tekityuu Sha Tanden Shajutsu Shahou Fudoushin Heijyushin Gyousha Bugu A path to self- discipline based on Sha, utilizing the Kyudo Yumi and comprising both physical exercise and pastime activity, a means of self- realization through challenging and knowing one s self A path to training one s self discipline through the martial arts Target The Ya hitting the target The Ya missing the target Aiming the Yumi and releasing the Ya The arrow hitting the target From the moment of Douzukuri to the moment of Atari or Hazure A point in the lower abdomen below the navel, where one s strength is centered The technique of aiming the Yumi and releasing the Ya The way of aiming the Yumi and releasing the Ya Shooting a single arrow with the Yumi The natural posture when the spirit is calm Aiming the Yumi and releasing the Ya The tools of the martial arts Shintaishusen That which is before, after and all around one s self Dou&Miti Waza Wa The path one walks on while training Skill A condition in which a group coexists in harmony, without confrontation or fear of neglect Kyudoukyougi A competition carried out with Kyudo Yumi Kyusha Shooting the Yumi Sha wa shintaishuusen kanarazu rei ni ataru Invariably Rei touches everything, that which is before, after, and around Sha.