Essay On Kyudo

Kyudo is traditional Japanese archery. Unlike the archery we think of in America Kudo is thought of as a martial art rather that a recreational sport. Kyudo is one of the few Japanese martial arts that is still practiced exactly the way it was during the time of the samurai. Although archery does have as deep a history in American history, it has importance in Native American history. Very little is known about Native American’s tradition involving archery. The difference between Native American’s traditional archery is that Kyudo is practiced worldwide.
Kyudo translated to English means “way of the bow,” kyujutsu is what it originally was called meaning “bow technique” (DeProspero, Jackie). Kyudo is different because the goal is more inner than out, Instead of just thinking be good at archery or hitting the target, they think that if everything right within themselves it will affect them outwardly, resulting in the target being hit. Most people that practice kyudo today have the goal of obtaining inner “truth, goodness, and beauty” (DeProspero, Jackie). Truth is meant in a philosophical sense, for example, in order for a shot to be true, it must already be in the target before it is even fired. For that to be accomplished, your mind, your movements, and technique most all be right. Goodness must be reflected in one attitude, for example, you are not show or fill anger or defeat if you do not hit the target. Being patient and courteous to others around you is also seen as good. Beauty embodies both Truth and Goodness, inner beauty being the ultimate goal. In order for one’s soul to be beautiful, they

Many that try to learn it quit because of the rigorous and lengthy training you have to do before you can even hold a bow, or even shot it. But kyudo is its own definition of beauty not just in appearance, but because of the inner beauty you can fill when you watch it happen, “the spirit is born.”(Genzini