Talk:Kyudo
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TakyuaMurata: I removed the sentence In Japan, Kyudo is sometimes considered female sport. because that sentence, to me, reports an opinion about Kyudo and does not discuss the art directly. But I agree with you in that it is a key fact that many women practice kyudo in Japan, so I added: In Japan, by most accounts, the number of female Kyudo practitioners is reported to be at least equal to and probably greater than the number of male practitioners.
If you really want to include text about how Kyudo is viewed in Japan as it pertains to the sexes, I will not disagree with you any further, but I feel the original sentence implies a sexism which, although it may be true, is not about kyudo but is an opinion about Kyudo. - Jordan Langelier
Some things that can be incorporated:
Onuma Hideharu, 15th headmaster of Heki Ryu Sekka Ha, said the purpose of kyudo was to achieve perfection (which he considered to be impossible--when asked "why bother, then?" he replied "to not try is to be less than human.")
History of the modern form of kyudo as set by the All Japan Kyudo Federation (Zen Nihon/Nippon Kyudo Renmei) following World War II.
Hassetsu should be covered at least briefly--at the very least the basic movements should be listed:
1. Ashibumi (setting the feet properly)
2. Dozukuri (proper posture)
3. Yugamae (readying the bow)
(3a. Torikake (setting the glove))
(3b. Tenouchi (gripping the bow))
(3c. Monomi (viewing the target))
4. Uchiokoshi (raising the bow)
5. Hikiwake (drawing the bow)
(5a. Daisan)
6. Kai (finishing the draw)
7. Hanare (release)
8. Zanshin (continuation)
The differences between bushakei (warrior-style kyudo) and reishakei (ceremonial-style) should be expounded.
Difference between 'shomen no kamae' and 'shamen no kamae'; 'shomen uchiokoshi' and 'shamen uchiokoshi' etc.
Different types of yugake:
mitsugake (three-fingered) -- standard
yotsugake (four-fingered) -- used by many advanced practitioners; originally for long-distance shooting
morogake (five-fingered) -- used almost exclusively by Ogasawara Ryu practitioners
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A list of kyudo dojo outside of Japan would be a useful link.
Equipment Used by 'Advanced' Practitioners
Recent add: "Even advanced kyudoka typically own non-bamboo yumi and ya due to the vulnerability of bamboo equipment to extreme climates."
Advanced? Is that true? Advanced beginners, sure, but truly 'advanced'? I really have a hard believing that someone who has practiced kyudo for 10+ years would use a synthetic yumi or a ya not made of bamboo, other than as a training aid. But then again I have lead a sheltered life ;) Jordan Langelier
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It is true. I study at a dojo in Apex, North Carolina (USA) under Dan DeProspero, renshi rokudan. While I have never seen my teacher shoot with a fiberglass bow other than as a demonstration, his senior student (a yondan who has been practicing kyudo for almost thirty years) does indeed use a carbon bow during the winter months when it is too cold to use a bamboo bow safely (for fear of breaking).
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Interesting. I'll ask Don Symanski (who probably made the bamboo yumi's this yodan is concerned about) about that, and what the safe temperature range is for his yumis. Jordan Langelier 16:54, 16 Feb 2005 (UTC)
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It is indeed a Symanski bow that he uses. As further clarification, the bow can and has been used during winter months (which normally means in the thirties at night time practice)--it just has to be warmed up so it is not as rigid. I didn't intend to say the bow was in immediate danger of breaking during winter use--it most certainly is not.
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Thanks for the clarifaction. I'll still ask Mr. Symanski (on Sunday) about what the proper use is for winter, because I think it will be a good addition for the Yumi article and because I'm curious. I'll be particularly interested to get his take on rigidity in coldness. I do recall him mentioning an absolute temperature you should not go outside with a yumi, but I'll have to get him to remind me on that. My personal understanding on the coldness issue was that it is not a good idea to take a yumi which has been indoors at a relativly high temp outdoors and use it without it becoming acclimated to the coldness because of the temperature differential. Other than that I personally don't worry about coldness, it's low humidity I worry about. In North Carolina dryness is probably not a problem but where I practice (Boulder, CO) it can get very dry and I have seen yumis 'explode' is the only way I can categorize what happens to them sometimes. Someone will draw a yumi subjected to dryness, and it just 'explodes' is the impression it gives me when it happens. That's the only time I've seen one suffer damage from usage is in the summer. Thanks, and I'll let you know what Mr. Symanski thinks about how his yumis should be used and treated in the cold. Jordan Langelier 04:43, 17 Feb 2005 (UTC)
Competition
The article currently reads: In this respect, competition, examination, and any opportunity that places the archer in this uncompromising sitation is important
This makes it sound as if competition and examination are, without a doubt and universally, a part of Kyudo, which is not true. To most kyudoka, sure, but it is not a universal belief. I'd like to see that sentance reflect that, or at least not make it seem that all practitioners believe that competition and examination are a good thing (in fact, some would say not only are they not important but are bad things, but I'm not about to go there ;) Jordan Langelier 05:28, 10 Mar 2005 (UTC)
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A good addition to this issue may be to bring up the three "modes" of shooting: toteki, kanteki, and zaiteki.
Kyudo as Zen Meditation
Recently additions were made to the main article that implied Kyudo was tightly bound together with Zen Buddhism. I do not feel that this is accurate. There is Zen influence (as with most Japanese martial arts), but in my experience it is not dominating. Some schools may have a lot of Zen influence, some may have very little. I feel the issue needs discussion before it is added back into the article. --65.190.189.82 15:37, 4 May 2005 (UTC)
- I would tend to agree with you that this tight bondage of Zen and Kyudo is a relativly recent phenomena. A hundred years ago, to the best of my knowledge, Zen was no more assoctiated with Kyudo than any other Japanese art, as you stated. However, Zen and Kyudo are, today, tightly bonded for many practitioners (perhaps 'That Book' is responsible for it) and a paragraph or two about it would be a welcome addition. Jordan Langelier 16:09, 5 May 2005 (UTC)