Check out these articles
-
Video article 7:48
Kendo - A Traditional Japanese Martial Art Which Has Been Practiced for Hundreds of Years With Techniques Passed Down From Generation to Generation. Top Kendo Practitioner, Yukiko Takami, Explains the History of Kendo and Expresses Her Feelings About the Sport!
SportsTraditional CultureCelebrities- 504 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 10:53
Ayano Nakamura - The Breathtaking World Champion Karate Practitioner Shares Her Thoughts on the Sport
SportsTraditional CultureCelebrities- 2.92K plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 14:54
Nihon Buyo - Traditional Japanese Dance Based on Kabuki. Experience Japanese Culture and Learn the History of the Beautiful Performing Art!
Traditional CultureEntertainment & MusicCelebrities- 410 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 3:34
Kusarigamajutsu - Learn About the Japanese Martial Art Used by Ninja and Samurai!
SportsTraditional CultureHistory- 458 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 3:19
The Brilliant Techniques of Aikido Will Send Your Opponent Flying! Learn About the Traditional Japanese Martial Art Passed Down From Generation To Generation!
Sports- 153 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 9:53
An Introduction to Shoko Kanazawa's Calligraphy Exhibition, Where She Shows off Her Bold Calligraphy! A Glimpse at the Works of the Genius Calligrapher With Down Syndrome!
Traditional Culture- 23 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 3:33
Ryuji Shirakawa, an Aikido Master, Throws One Opponent to the Next, in the Blink of an Eye! Get to Know the Mind, Body and Soul of the Ancient Japanese Martial Art, Aikido!
SportsTraditional CultureCelebrities- 783 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 6:53
Ryoko Yonekura - The Popular Japanese Actress' Success on the International Stage Has Earned Her the Nickname "Ratings Queen"! Learn the Secrets Behind Her Incredible Acting Ability!
CelebritiesEntertainment & Music- 474 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 2:47
You'll Be Amazed at How Fast This Swordsman Draws His Katana! You'll Have Been Cut Down Before You Even See His Hands Move! Check out the Overwhelming Speed of Battojutsu in This Video!
Traditional CultureSports- 394 plays
- YouTube
Kyudo - Traditional Japanese Archery. One Female Archer Shares Her Passion for the Martial Art Used as Both Physical and Mental Training!
About the Introductory Video of Kyudo
This video titled “KYUDO – Mariko Satake/Interview – IS JAPAN COOL? DOU” is created by the ANA Global Channel as part of a video series introducing traditional Japanese art and martial arts.
This video focuses on the introduction of Kyudo (弓道), including an interview with a master of Kyudo- Ms. Mariko Satake, and some techniques, forms and manners of Kyudo.
Ms. Satake in this video is more than 70 years old, but you’ll be amazed at her breathtaking posture, physique and quiet, unwavering aim.
Following the video, we introduce Kyudo in this article.
Kyudo - A Traditional Japanese Martial Art
Kyudo is a traditional Japanese martial art in which archers shoot an arrow with a Yumi (弓) (Japanese bow).
Originally, Yumi were used to hunt game, but gradually came to be used in shinto rituals as well. In the Edo period (1603-1868), Kyudo was practiced as a martial art for a samurai’s physical and spiritual training.
A series of correct forms is important to hit the target; The basic concept is called “orthogonal hit,” which means that an arrow shot with the correct form will definitely hit its target.
Kyudo archers wear Kyudo uniforms for practice and competitions, and they wear Kimono during examinations to achieve higher ranks and titles.
Kyudo is mainly divided into Reisha groups (礼射系, Reishakei) and Busha groups (武射系, Bushakei). In addition, there are many schools, such as the Ogasawara School (小笠原流, Ogasawararyu), the Heki School (日置流, Hekiryu), the Honda School (本多流, Hondaryu), the Yamato School (大和流, Yamatoryu) and more.
Some Kyudo archers (弓道家, Kyudoka) don’t belong to any schools, but almost all archers learn the shooting method defined by the All Nippon Kyudo Federation.
According to the rules of Kyudo, each target is 36 centimeters in diameter and located 28 meters from the archer.
If archers succeed in hitting the target, they will get one point. If they miss it, they will receive zero points.
At 0:25 in this video, Ms. Satake explains how "...for many practitioners, kyudo is a means of spiritual and physical self improvement."
Kyudo lessons are also quite popular in Japan; There are many Kyudo classes and training institutes. Most schools in Japan have a Kyudo practice area for the school Kyudo club.
These places enable people to learn and experience Kyudo from the beginning, and we can refine our mind and body.
Moreover, the All Nippon Kyudo Federation hosts the Kyudo national tournament, so Kyudo is also taught at schools as a sport.
Currently there are about 130,000 Kyudo archers in Japan, and the practice has begun to gain traction overseas as well.
Outside of Japan, there is also a sport called archery; It is similar to Kyudo in that bows are used.
However, unlike archery, practitioners of Kyudo refine their mind, whereas archers in archery only focus on improving their aim.
The Instruments of Kyudo
In order to practice Kyudo, archers need a Japanese bow, arrows, Yugake (bow strings), Kyudo uniforms and a Hakama.
The bow is very long and beautiful; and has long since been deified due to its unique Japanese form.
From 1:40 of this video, Ms. Satake says that it is important to draw the bow while listening to its voice.
Bows are made of bamboo or carbon, and arrows are made of bamboo, carbon or duralumin.
Strings are stretched over the bow. Sometimes a string may break, so archers need to prepare several strings.
Yugake is a glove made of deer leather. Archers wear it on their arrow drawing hand. This plays a very important role during the match.
Makiwara is the target archers use during their practice.
You can get to know these Kyudo items in more detail from 0:50 this video.
The Eight Stages of Shooting in Kyudo
Shaho (射法) is a basic movement in Kyudo and there are eight basic movements that go into firing a single arrow: Ashibumi (足踏み), Dozukuri (胴造り), Yugamae (弓構え), Uchiokoshi (打起し), Hikiwake (引分け), Kai (会), Hanare (離れ), and Zanshin (残心).
Each move has an important meaning.
From 6:02 in this video, you can see Ms. Satake’s beautiful shooting process from beginning to end for about two and a half minutes.
Please look at her elegant form when she shoots!
Overview of Kyudo, a Traditional Japanese Martial Art
Some people practice Kyudo to refine their mind and body.
Ms. Satake also says in this video that Kyudo archers are strictly taught, “Shooting is the shadow of your heart,” which means archers can see their everyday lives through their shots. She regards this teaching as very important.
During her interview, we can see that she practices the teaching, “All of your actions shape your body for Kyudo.”
Take a look at her awesome form while shooting in a tense atmosphere.
AccessMap (Google Maps)
-
Video article 1:56
The Toughest Race in the World - The Triathlon! 1,700 Strongmen Take on the Ironman Race Covering a Total Distance of Over 200 Kilometers in Miyakojima!
Sports- 170 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 10:31
Shudan Kodo - Check Out Nippon Sport Science University's Outstanding Performance! 10 Minutes of Perfectly Precise Movement!
Sports- 4.22K plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 3:04
“Sitting Volleyball” Is Volleyball That Both Those With Disabilities, and Those Without, Can Enjoy Together! A Look at the Hot Sport to Be an Official Event at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics!
Sports- 169 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 10:53
Ayano Nakamura - The Breathtaking World Champion Karate Practitioner Shares Her Thoughts on the Sport
Sports Traditional Culture Celebrities- 2.92K plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 8:47
Kyudo - Traditional Japanese Archery. One Female Archer Shares Her Passion for the Martial Art Used as Both Physical and Mental Training!
Sports Celebrities- 9.17K plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 11:32
Sumo Wrestling: A Martial Art and the Traditional National Sport of Japan Associated With Shinto. A Thrilling, World-Class Sport, Whose Spectacular Matches Fascinate Spectators!
Sports- 258 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 7:48
Kendo - A Traditional Japanese Martial Art Which Has Been Practiced for Hundreds of Years With Techniques Passed Down From Generation to Generation. Top Kendo Practitioner, Yukiko Takami, Explains the History of Kendo and Expresses Her Feelings About the Sport!
Sports Traditional Culture Celebrities- 504 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 1:26
"Teqball" Is a New Sport That Combines Soccer and Table Tennis! The Sport Is Relatively New, So It’s Not Too Late to Become a World Champion!
Sports- 122 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 7:39
Nippon Sport Science University's Precision Marching Will Give You Goosebumps! Nippon Sport Science University's Athletic Research Demonstration Was a Highlight of the Event!
Sports- 259 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 3:33
Ryuji Shirakawa, an Aikido Master, Throws One Opponent to the Next, in the Blink of an Eye! Get to Know the Mind, Body and Soul of the Ancient Japanese Martial Art, Aikido!
Sports Traditional Culture Celebrities- 783 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 1:01
The Skills of Present-Day Samurai Who Slice and Dice With a Japanese Sword! "Battodo" Is a Traditional Martial Art Form in Japan That Has Been Passed Down Since Ancient Times
Sports- 302 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 5:16
Don't miss the powerful sumo practice! What kind of training do the rikishi of the Takadanokawa stable in Koto-ku, Tokyo usually do? Check out the traditions of the national sport and their daily lives!
Sports- 134 plays
- YouTube
3 Comments