In Japan, Kyudo is the martial art of archery. Experts in Kyudo are known as the kyūdōka (弓道家). This art is based on kyūjutsu ("art of archery"), which originated with the samurai class of feudal Japan. Thousands of people worldwide practiced kyudo. The International Kyudo Federation had 132,760 graded members, as of 2005. In this Art archer's use a tall Japanese bow (the yumi) made of bamboo, wood, and leather using techniques that have not changed for centuries. Zen Buddhist philosophies and principles are applied in Kyudo in achieving a certain state of mind in the practice of the art, as with other martial arts. Hence, Kyudo remains as an important aspect of Japanese culture and roots itself deeply more as a tradition than a sport.

History:

In Japan, the beginning of archery is pre-historical. Long time in history the bow originated. In the Middle East and Asia during the end of the Stone Age Bows were already in use by ethnic groups. Artifacts of bows likely to be from the same period have been discovered as well, in Japan. During the Yayoi Period, it is estimated that they were made between AD1 to AD3. These bows were made from a single piece of wood, and these were maruki-type long, they were painted in black and bound in birch. A longbow with a grip can be identified, in depictions of hunting scenes drawn on bell-shaped bronze vessels. Bows used by the ancient Japanese were longbows, is mentioned in the Gishi-Wajin Den (Record of the Wei-Biography of the Wajin).

As per Kojiki, the description proves that bows held significant meaning, both ideologically and culturally during the Ancient Japanese world and were considered as a symbol of dignity. In this way, they played an important role in Shinto and Samurai rituals in later years. Many books are referring to the bow such as The Rites of Zhou and The Book of the Later Han, in China. The most significant work was introduced in the "Liji" (Record of Etiquette) to influence the use of the bow in ceremonies. Around the 4th and 5th century after Emperor Ohjin's reign, diplomatic relations between China and Japan started. The influence of China on Japan expanded into many areas. In the imperial court and the later years, the original Japanese thought of itoku (dignity and virtue), met with the Chinese thought of rei (courtesy) lead to form the Sharei (shooting ceremony). In the samurai ways of the bow, it became the thought of courtesy. Bows were seen as the most dignified weapon - a weapon for kings and lords, in China. Eventually, this thought was integrated into the Japanese Samurai.

Nowadays Practice:

Today, it is estimated that there are approximately half a million practitioners of kyudo. By most accounts, in Japan, the number of female kyudo practitioners is at least equal to and probably greater than the number of male practitioners. Kyudo is practiced as an art and as a means of moral and spiritual development in its most pure form. With marksmanship being paramount, many archers practice kyudo simply as a sport. However, "seisha seichu" is the highest ideal of kyudo as the highest ideal of kyudo. Kyudo Practitioners strive for the unique action of expansion (nobiai) that results in a natural release.

To hit the arrow to the target you always need to shoot with correct spirit and balance. To give oneself completely to shooting the arrow is a spiritual goal. On the other hand, others avoid competitions or examinations of any kind. Not only as a sport but as a "spiritual" practice embodying Zen teachings, Kyudo is conceived. Zen Buddhism and the art of archery is explained by the eminent Zen Buddhist scholar Daisetzu T.Suzuki as in Japan, a famous Zen monk composed this poem, "During the Kamakura era (1192-1336 C.E.): "The bow is broken, Arrows are all gone- in this critical moment: Cherish no fainting heart, Shoot without delay." From a stringless bow, when a shaftless arrow is shot it will surely penetrate the rock, as once happened in the history of the Far Eastern people." On the right hand, the Kyudo archer wears a glove which is called a yugake. Typically, a yugake is made of deerskin with a hardened thumb containing a groove at the base used to pull the string (Tsuru). Japanese bow, the yumi is exceptionally tall (standing over two meters), surpassing the height of the archer (kyudoka). Yumi is traditionally made of bamboo, wood, and leather using techniques which have not changed for centuries. Due to the vulnerability of bamboo equipment to extreme climates, even advanced kyudoka may own non-bamboo yumi and ya.