Japanese archery, or Kyudo, is more than a sport — it is a calm, focused art that trains both body and mind. It is relatively new to Estonia, but formal training is already available in Tallinn. In this article, we explore Kyudo’s origins, what training involves and what you should know about the bow.

Japanese archery and its history

Kyudo (meaning “the way of the bow”) evolved from the martial art of Kyujutsu through Zen Buddhist monks, probably as early as the 17th century. In the late 19th century, after the samurai had disappeared as a social class and many martial arts schools had closed, a group of enthusiasts led by Honda Toshizane developed a style that combined martial techniques with ceremonial archery.

The All Nippon Kyudo Federation (ANKF) was established in 1949, and new, standardized Kyudo rules were published as early as 1953. From then on, all practitioners could train and compete in the same style. Today, the bow is no longer a weapon of war but a tool for training the mind and body. The emphasis is on harmony with the world and yourself, and on enjoying the process of archery — rather than simply hitting the target mechanically. Many practitioners describe Kyudo as a relaxing, contemplative art.

Kyudo dojos (Kyudojos) are found throughout Japan, and universities have their own Kyudo clubs where students can practice after classes. Schools dating back to the medieval period also continue their traditions — the oldest and best known is Ogasawara ryu.

What Japanese archery training involves

Proper training begins with the prescribed clothing: a white shirt (Gi), wide black Japanese trousers (Hakama), a long, wide belt (Obi) and white socks (Tabi). Once you reach an advanced level, you need a bow (Yumi) to train effectively. Your Yumi must have a suitable draw weight, and your arrows must be the correct length. The Yugake glove should be neither tight nor too loose. The equipment also includes a spare bowstring (Tsuru), two powders, Giriko and Fudeko, and various arrowheads.

Kyudo training involves three forms of learning:

• Mitori Geiko — learning by watching how the sensei behaves in the dojo and shoots the bow.
• Kufu Geiko — memorizing Kyudo techniques and becoming mentally ready to put what you have learned into practice.
• Kazu Geiko — shooting independently, refining your technique and developing mentally through the philosophy of Kyudo.

You can practice Kyudo from the age of 14 — at a younger age, the static training load on the arms and shoulder girdle would be too great and could adversely affect skeletal development. The art is suitable for adults of any age, provided you have the interest, respect for Japanese culture and dedication to immerse yourself in it.

Yumi: The bow that makes Japanese archery distinctive

The bow is one of the oldest weapons humans have created — the earliest depictions of bows in Africa are more than 70 thousand years old. Bows were already in use in the Japanese archipelago during the Neolithic period, and the first Japanese longbows probably appeared in the first millennium BC. They were made of solid wood and painted black.

Originally, the bow was a means of survival for the Japanese. As society became stratified, the hunting bow gradually became a weapon of war. Japan’s first emperor, Jimmu (711 BC – 585 BC), was a celebrated warrior traditionally depicted holding a bow. Beyond warfare, bows were also widely used in religious rituals — for example, the Momote Shiki ritual blesses those who have turned 20 and reached adulthood in Japanese culture. Another famous ritual, Yabusame, is performed on horseback and involves hitting small targets.

The original Japanese bow, or Yumi, is over 2.2 m long. The Yumi is famous not only for its length but also for its asymmetrical shape — the arrow is positioned at the lower third of the bow rather than in the middle, as with other bows. This shape was probably particularly well suited to shooting from a kneeling position and on horseback. Another distinctive feature of the Yumi is that after each shot, the bow rotates in your hand so that the bowstring ends up on the outside of your wrist. This technique is called Yugaeri.

Kyudo in Estonia and Japanese archery around the world

The International Kyudo Federation (IKYF) was established in 2006, with Her Imperial Majesty Princess Takamado becoming its honorary president. The European Kyudo Federation (EKF) was founded in 1980. The IKYF and EKF organize international seminars and competitions. Respected Kyudo teachers travel around the world, and online training has recently gained popularity too.

The nearest countries where you can learn Kyudo are Latvia, Russia, Finland and Sweden. Estonia’s first Kyudo seminar took place in February 2020 under the guidance of Latvian Kyudo sensei Vladimir Kindzulis, but friendly ties with senseis in Latvia and Russia had already been established — Estonian enthusiasts attended seminars in Riga and St. Petersburg as early as 2019. Japanese archery has taken its first steps in Estonia, and much remains to be done, from acquiring equipment and organizing seminars to creating a properly designed training hall.

Since September 2020, the Taikikai club in Tallinn has offered official Kyudo training for beginners. These sessions teach you the basics without using a real bow — instead, you use a “rubber bow”, known in Japanese as Gomu Yumi. This specialized training aid lets you memorize Hassetsu, the eight stages that make up Japanese archery. Training also covers Kyudo etiquette, terminology, body positions and footwork.

You can find training times in the Taikikai calendar.

FAQ

At what age can you start Kyudo?

From the age of 14. For younger children, the static training load that archery places on the arms and shoulder girdle is too great for their developing skeleton.

Do you need to buy your own bow straight away as a beginner?

No. Beginners train with a “rubber bow”, or Gomu Yumi, which teaches the technique of the eight stages (Hassetsu) without a real bow.

Where can you practice Kyudo in Estonia?

The Taikikai club in Tallinn has offered official Kyudo training for beginners since September 2020.

Author: Alexandra Kivisalu

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