Kyujutsu

     Kyujutsu.弓術, Japanese archery has been engulfed mostly in myth and legend, making it difficult to pull together an entirely precise account of its birth and evolution. So by using similarities chronicled in ancient records, historians have put together a picture of the historical development of kyujutsu.

 

     Kyujutsu is the art of wielding a bow (yumi) as practiced by the samurai. Even though the samurai are known most for their swordsmanship with a katana (kenjutsu), kyujutsu was actually more vital skill for a large part of Japanese history. The best example is during the Kamakura period through the Muromachi period (c.1185–c.1568), Kyujutsu was the dominating symbol of the professional warrior. In fact, and way of life of the warrior was referred to as "the way of the horse and bow" kyuba no michi.

 

     Mastering the art of Kyujutsu is believed to both broaden the senses and awaken the mind so that the arrow of the Samurai flies true and far. The practitioner then translates the mastery of the bow by demonstrating his or her progress along the way to Truth. The yumi (bow) is another of the deadly but elegant weapons in the arsenal of the Samurai.

 

"You don't try to hit the target, … when you shoot, you can see the reflection of your mind, as in a mirror. The target is the mirror. When you release, you cut ego. You can see your own mind."

Master Kanjuro Shibata.