Currently the kyūdō section is resting, as we have no instructor. If you are experienced in kyūdō, or are interested in building it up, you may contact us at styrelsen@umekawa.se.
Kyūdō is the modern form of archery using the traditional japanese bow (yumi). As it is a modern form of martial art it is sometimes referred to as gendai budo. Kyūdō can be translated as “the way of the bow”. The bow used is peculiar as it is asymmetrical – it is larger at the bottom than at the top. The arrow is therefore not nocked at the center of the bow, but further down.
The purpose of kyūdō is centered on spiritual development, and as such it is performed in a stylized and almost reverent manner, often in group. When shooting it is done at a range of 28 meters. Multiple types of targets exist. A standard target, Kasumi Mato, is a 6-ringed target, 36 cm in diameter. There is also a 2-ringed target, Hoshi Mato, with the same diameter.
When practicing kyūdō you work a lot on hassetsu, which are the eight steps performed when firing. This is the foundation of kyūdō, and can be performed either in or out of armor. When starting out it is typically done without a bow, using a rubber band attached to a stick.
The steps are as follow:
1. Ashibumi (足踏み) – placing the footing
2. Dozukuri (胴造り) – forming the body
3. Yugamae (弓構え) – readying the bow
4. Uchiokoshi (打起し) – raising the bow
5. Hikiwake (引分け) – drawing apart
6. Kai (会) – the full draw
7. Hanare (離れ) – the release
8. Zanshin (残心) – “the remaining body or mind” or “the continuation of the shot”
*9. Yudaoshi (弓倒し) – lowering of the bow
*Not counted as a step