Date & Time: Saturday, October 25, 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Kamakura Budokan
Kyudo instructors: 9 masters from Kyudo Association of Kamakura
Participants: 39 people, including 38 international students from 23 countries and one Japanese tutor
Attendants: Ten KSGG members
Languages: English and Japanese
The Japanese Culture Introduction Group at KSGG club has hold Kyudo experience sessions for international students, and this session marks the eleventh since the event began. Kyudo, Japanese archery is a martial art that uses a Japanese bow to hit a target. The aim of Kyudo is to strengthen the mind and body. Kyudo emphasizes cultivating mental focus and mindfulness through a series of correct movements and proper etiquette. The goal is self-improvement.
It was a chilly day with rain since morning, but participants gathered energetically at Ofuna train station and headed toward the Kamakura Budokan while enjoying lively conversation. After registering at reception, they stayed in the second-floor seating area overlooking the glass-walled Kyudo dojo practice hall, where Japanese archery is practiced. They were excited to watch the Kyudo players shoot arrows at the targets.
Finally, they entered the dojo. Everyone watched with their cameras at the ready as the British archery master began demonstrating the formal technique, called Yawatashi*. The master’s behavior was graceful. Though he appeared slender, they were deeply impressed by his well-defined muscles when he removed the left sleeve of his formal attire to shoot an arrow. Then, the practical session of shooting arrows at targets began. With the clear and kind guidance from the nine masters, each participant set an arrow on a bow and shot it. During the midway break, participants had the opportunity to try on samurai-style attire. Four drawing winners – two men and two women – dressed in the outfits and looked as if they were posing photo session. In the second half of practice session, every participant got used to the routine and was able to shoot at a brisk pace.
After the practice, they sat in a large circle in the dojo and listened to the British master and a young Japanese master speak about Kyudo. Then, there was a Q&A session with participants, during which participants asked many questions, such as the significance of practicing Kyudo. Finally, all the participants stood in a row facing the masters and bowed to them, after which the event concluded. There were no accidents or injuries, and participants seem to have enjoyed themselves.
*: Yawatashi is a ceremonial shooting performed by a high-ranking master before the start of an event to pray for its safe and successful completion.
