Perhaps this quote from the book "Zen in the Art of Archery" can help... "You should not grieve over bad shots; Learn not to rejoice over good ones. You must free yourself from pleasure and pain."

A True Warrior succeeds when there is no need for violence to settle a conflict. Most people don't understand that.

"Don't you think it is a little sad to spend your entire life practicing kyudo and have nothing more to show for it than the ability to shoot an arrow into a piece of paper?" "Western bows are designed for accuracy. If you miss the mark it is possible to adjust the sight or different parts of the bow to improve your shooting. But kyudo is different. if we miss the mark in kyudo we must make adjustments in ourselves-our mind and our body." - Onuma Sensei

Yes, we could have cheated and shown a perfect hit - but this would go against our principles. This clip has been edited - the actual release of the arrow takes much longer. This location was at the shrine in Meiji park inTokyo on a beautiful early Sunday morning - really nice. Thanks for watching.

I'd be awesome at this. I've been told since childhood that I have a PERFECTLY empty mind.

The arrow leaves the string It may not hit But it does not miss! - Old Zen Expression

A very pleasant video about a great practice. There are three things that are very important within Kyudo: Truth, Goodness and Beauty. Three things that many of the comments on this thread do not contain. Kudos to you who do understand what Kyudo is all about!

The most important part about that little ceremony is not what you see, its what he feels, because when you are in the zone, the speed comes automatically. For example Tai Ji is a slow effortless, go with the flow type art but practicing it helps your Kung Fu and Karate in a real fight because you are using yourself in simple, easy ways. Beginners in any art or science usually over-do, while experts have efficiency of movement and produce more power from less effort.

This clip was edited down to a much shorter time than it really was. It is a difference in cultures. I watch a soccer match with a 0-0 score and yet still enjoy the game, whereas my American friends get upset by a scoreless game. Likewise, it is not only about hitting the target. There is so much more.

It's not about hitting the target, it's about performing the act perfectly. Hitting the target is entirely secondary to the quality of one's form. By practicing the movements thousands of times so that they are natural and perfect, and knowing that it is indeed perfect, one can achieve a simultaneous peace of mind and body. This is done for meditation purposes. If this were war archery, there would be a much greater emphasis on speed and accuracy, but this is simply about doing it right. Slow, steady, and perfect.

he drew the bow so eloquently, i am really impressed. holding for that long and that calmly was a feat in its own, and he did miss, but i bet he's gotten it before.

Thank you - we film, edit and produce all of our films and our only subject is Asian Culture, and Martial Arts in particular. The music for this clip was written and played by Yellowbell who scored the soundtrack for The Empty Mind. We are filming in China over the next 4 months for a new film. Thanks for watching. EmptyMind Films.

their movements are so fluid and smooth

At the beginning of any kyudo competition, a master is invited to take one shot as a symbol. The shot is always missed to remind people the key spirit of kyudo.

@12thHamster Inner peace is found when you can perform the action without regard for the results because it is obsession with results that disrupts both inner peace and the action. If you can focus yourself entirely on correctly using the bow leaving no room for concern about hitting or missing the target then you are at peace and that peace feeds back into your technique making it more likely you'll hit the target.

Very glad to have purchased and watched the full movie! Thanks for this trailer! 🙏

Do just means "way". It emphasises that this is a lifelong way one can walk, learning and improving.

He didn't want to hit the target, but wanted to teach himself to become calm and control himself. It was no competition.

For those of you who thinks he is bad for missing. Kyudo is not about hitting the target, Its about achieving a true inner peace which a Samurai needed to truly be beneficial in life and in battle(some circunmstances). Same applies for me an Iaido practice, the only way I can master the pre-determine moves is if I do over,over again correctly and slowly making I do it correctly. Through that I build patience and a very good mind set. Respect for Kyudo practitioners out there. :)

I was transfixed by the beauty of the shooting style.

It's incredible, how Japanese can make such a simple thing as shooting an arrow look so awesome.

Much of this does raise the question, "so?". The silence he speaks of does sound uncannily like the inner silence you have to achieve to make, say, a good pool shot. I do wonder if there aren't better things to devote ones life to.

Their point isn't just to hit the target. For them, its a journey that teaches them control and calm. It's more about the person than the center of the target.

This Video is absolutely beautiful.. Such elegance.

From what I understand, the point isn't to hit the target. The goal is to calm your mind and when you feel that you have achieved this, you release the arrow. Hitting the target is a secondary objective. Considering the distance to the target (28 meters) and its size (36 cm), this was a very accurate shot.

The kyudo is not the art to kill. It is the art of bows. This is a pure art with pure masters. The Yumi is not a destructive weapon its only a tool for a kyudo master.

There is an ancient yoga teaching that says.. 'at the moment of release, mind(the cycle of thoughts, false ego, what not.) ceases to exist'. Fits in perfectly!

The point wasnt to hit the target, but to clear one's mind and to develop the perfect shot. It's like how we meditate before kendo and we clear our mind before giving our all during practice.

It's never too late :) Kyudo is an artform one can pick up at practically any age and it's good for both the body and soul. If you want to try it I say go for it! :) I started training Kyudo about six months ago and it's changed my life! :)

This kind of formalizing everything makes Japanese little spontaneous.

Although he didn't hit the target, his vertical line was certainly spot-on. That was still very accurate considering the type of bow.

Having absolute control over a weapon is what makes it destructive. Not by what it looks like or what it sounds like. Impeccable control makes destruction.

Kyudo is a very old martial art in japan and what was seen in the video is the cerimonial bow, with the enphasis in aesthetics. There are many kyudo schools and styles. There are too the pratice with emphasis in efficiency, and thus far, there are many kyudo competitions in Japan. A lot of modalities too (diference in the distance from the target, etc). The biggest diference between occidental archery is that kyudo focus more on the form of the archer rather in the target.

the bow used here is made of bamboo essentially. Traditionally bamboo backings back and front are used - sandwiched between is a core of bamboo and wood (like maple or sumac). Bows are made from around 20 separate parts with considerable skill - so not just a bent "young tree"

So many seem to miss the point of doing this. It's doing something else by doing archery. I understand a bit, a tiny bit by shooting with an air rifle. When it goes right the world stops around me and I seem to be in a bubble. There is no aiming and the sound of the riffle disappears almost completely. After realizing that this one was special I walk to the target and the bullet is exactly at the center. The real aim is that moment, not the target. It feels just wonderful. It's still very rare.

Of course you can know what it is. I would never read or sponsor/quote someone who would ever advocate something we CAN'T do. We live in the world of the relative, and we cannot know who we are without relating ourselves to something else, but on top of that, we have this great intuition that guides us whether we know it or not. Yes, 'wisdom' is knowledge through experience.

Its deeply moving- whole spectacle. I really hope to see those archers with my own eyes one day.

@12thHamster He missed the target to demonstrate that the point of Kyudo is not simply hitting targets with a bow and arrow. By doing this he demonstrates that Kyudo is just a vessel for him to reach inner peace. The goal he set out to achieve was intellectual and spiritual understanding rather than emotional gratification.

If any of you see the NHK Documentary you'll see that a Kyudo master can fire an arrow perfectly straight to the target in pure darkness. Even they say it's not about hitting the target.

Japanese archery really is huge in Japan. At least once a day, I see someone carrying a bow into the train.

As a bowyer and a traditional bow hunter (stick and a string) I can say that everything stated in this film is achieved even when shooting rapidly, at multiple targets, with accuracy in mind. To hit targets accurately, every minute detail of the shot has to be second nature. Look up Byron Fergusson. He's a very relaxed, natural, and ACCURATE archer.

This is soooo Smooth like butter

"...but this would go against our principles" yours principles "talk" about you.Great !!! I always be interesed in Kyudo since I read the book of Eugen Herrigel when i was young.Great book

It is a very beautiful shot, but unfortunately the film maker missed showing the most beautiful part of a Kyudo shot, the Zanshin, or remaining spirit- the posture and mind of the archer just after the arrow has been released.

Globalism with commercial aim/ western style is destructive but the competition with one self is the basis of improvement. That is good. Sharing that formula for the improvement of humanity is everybody's reward.

You actually are right. I have done archery from a junior high school to university. Its very important to get the target. However, forms you perform/create are extremely important as well. When you enter the room, you must start caring for your forms. you have to care for the form for everything such as the way you sit, picking up bows, after you finish shooting. Every movements are important.

Think of this as the "Tai Chi" of archery. People practice Kyudo to achieve that relaxing, zen like feeling or state of mind which is more important than hitting the target itself.

Great video! I was at Meiji Jingu Dojo a couple of months ago for a seminar, and the video captured some of the beauty of the Dojo as well as the beauty of the shooting. Kudos!

The thing is, though, Kyudo is not about great archery - it's about achieving a Zen-like sense of peace through archery. As such, the emphasis is not on hitting the target, but instead on the state of the archer at the point of release.

Where are the sights, stabilisers, arrow releases and cams?

I love Japan! Japaneesse people, have beautifull, old, great history - interesting traditions and ceremonies.... for exapmle, Sumo, or Kyudo. It is something, impossible to explain - I love Japan!!!!

After elementary school, my mum enrolled me into a Japanese Kyudo class. I practiced a few which took quite a while to complete. When I got home, I realize I am 50 years old already.

The same reason people meditate, to find peace and understanding. It's not just about hitting the target.

Kyudo is unlike the western practices of archery. The idea of it is much like working out and going to the gym. Those shooters aren't there to be the best shot, just like gym goers aren't trying to be the strongest in the world. That's a whole different practice. (I mean really, they would take on different training with less aesthetic movements if they wanted to hit bullseye) Kyudo practitioners do this for their own bodies and minds to reach a level of self-satisfaction and peace, just as people who work out train to mold their bodies the way they see fit.

very beautiful kai stance and release.

If I do not have wisdom, I can only know it contextually, or conceptually. Otherwise, I would know it in my heart after experiencing it. I would come into the knowing then. It is impossible to overestimate (or underestimate for that matter) the value of finding yourself. It is "priceless".

notice the man behind the archer walking backwards very formally. he doesn't lift his heels. Nice clip!!!

thats a great discription! i can feel it! i know that feeling and you have described it so wonderfully

All you guys are complaining about his accuracy, but the point is to meditate. But in reference to his accuracy, japanese archers shoot from 50-70 meters away!!!! So that is a pretty good shot from a real traditional bow with out sights, or really aiming, because he isnt focusing on aiming the bow!

i also asked some kyudo archers about how they aim, and they said they do not aim it they just concentrate on the way they shoot, and the arrow will automatically fly in the right direction after 1 or 2 years of practicing

It's not, it's just that whether you are left or right handed, you hold the bow in your left and pull the string with your right. It's not a problem- infact left handers often have a stronger bow grip.

it actually was meant for battle, and the idea was not to hit the target, but to appreciate it

As i understand it, there's a belief behind it that there's always 1 most suitable way to do a certain thing.this way is also the most efficient and most beautiful one.therefore we look on the way of shooting rather than the result...you can pretty much predict what the result will be by the way its done.there is a saying: a well-shot arrow will always hit the target, but hitting the target doesnt mean it's been shot well. its about the way (do) of achieving the result, not the achieving itself.

Im sure his enemies take great comfort in the fact that he doesn't care about hitting the target.

continuing The kyudoka believes in the phrase "true shooting, certain hitting", wich means a correct shooting causes a correct hit.

beautiful

I will try to give you a sensible answer wihout all the talks about zen and intuition. The way my teacher put it is that every movement in the five steps of kyudo shooting has its logic and reason. This movements have been perfected over many years and if you carry out all of them in the right manner, the arrow will hit the target. That is one of thereasons why so much emphasis is put on the preparation and process. You do not aim..but if you do everything right, the shot will be right as well.

Those bows and techniques are really delicated.. I hope I can learn it too :)

it is a form of meditation, emptiness of mind, the truth of non-self, the target was not the target, the target was the mind of illusion, and liberation from all that is compounded, to become one with the void.

Because the goal of Zen meditation is to realize "mushu", or "no mind", which is otherwise known as empty mind. Only with a clear and focused mind can one realize their true self.

@Japanbuster "think whats the FOCUS." The 'focus' is exactly the point of this art - not hitting the target, but hitting the self.

In archery, the initial speed of the arrow (arrow of weight that matches bow) is known as the bow's speed. This is becourse the bow is a constant, and the arrows are not. Take the bow I mentioned in my last post. It is rated at 137 fps with a 925 grain arrow (925 grain is standard for a longbow with the drawweight of this bow). Speed of bow = 137 fps And no. The bow is not static. Static would imply no movement. All parts of a bow moves relative to one another.

You can't deny that they become very happy if they do hit the target though!

I would love to learn this. The Japanese have such incredible martial arts spirtuality.

When a friend of mine visited a demonstration like this in Japan, the archer was an old man like that. He shot 3 arrows hitting one hand span left above of the target into the sand (10 - 11 O'clock). My friend later asked: why did he miss 3 times? Even I had hit from 10 yards! The answer: it prevents the arrows from damage, he "missed" on purpose and hit exactly the same spot with 3 arrows 3 times. (I have no idea if that is true, though ;D )

i don't practice kyudo, but even I can tell that the point of this is not to shoot to kill, but about meditation and spiritual well being...or something like that.

@waincat Control is not 'measured' as in 'increase' or 'decrease'. Its more about 'being'. the brief moment of emptyness is its surest sign.

Much like the tea ceremony, it isn't about having a cup of tea

he has not yet found his true self.

Good book, read it for one of my classes last semester.

Where does your kyudo sensei teach? Would like to visit as we are filming kyudo in Japan this next 2 weeks. Send email. Bye.

Wow.. wonderfull video. Very well done. I love Archery.. but Kyudo fascinates me.

as far as i have heard English and Mongol archery has been the most skilled. definatley never heard of korean archery

this is awesome.

@crypter27 It's actually yew wood. It sounds like "U" but is a tree called the yew tree.

Beautiful.

Fascinating!

Oh no... this is him doing a ceremony... In real life the archers fire just as fast as any other

Really wonderful indeed!

@Jokerone72 It's not about hitting or missing. The bow and arrow are secondary, mere tools for the mind to work with.

it feels weird watching this in 2020

incredibly fascinating! its an interesting philosophy, i cant imagine how difficult this is

There is no longer a multiplicity of things to contemplate such as me and you. Just you. But this new 'you' has nothing external to it, inside and outside become undifferentiated. What I am saying is that this base state of mind that Zen adherents follow pathologically can cause those who haven't had the experience to have grossly inflated expectations of it.

All of this can be applied to the rifle. A like cause will bring about a like result and thus bring about accuracy if not precision.

the only thing I dont understand is how you achieve total concentration while trying to hold both arrows in 1 hand. What's the purpose of this act? I do love the idea of Kyudo

The target is 36 cm wide, about the same size as the chest of humans, and is placed 28 meters away. Shooting correct with a kyudo bow requires a LOT of technique, it is much, much harder than it looks.

the true essence of martial arts isn't about winning or being able to defend yourself. if you want to learn to defend yourself, go take self defense classes. martial arts can sometimes protect you, but it's essence is in discipline and spirituality- to better one's soul, body and mind.

the point of kyudo is not hitting the target, but centering the self

Wow thats pretty incredible considering the lifespans of the ancient peoples

agreed, and despite its not for fighting purposes, in case of a fight, this can be used ...