Kyudo Archery is the Japanese art of archery. It means "way of the bow".

The Japanese art of archery, Kyudo, has been studied and practiced as hobby, combat tool and means of moral and spiritual development for centuries. Widely practiced and easy to learn, Kyudo is said to take a lifetime to perfect.

In it's purest forms, practitioners aim to achieve a greater level of moral and spiritual development. Other goals are improved marksmanship and proper technique.

Competitions begin with an elaborate ceremonial entrance, involving lots of bowing and kneeling. Once completed, competitors fire four arrows in two sets. The goal is to hit the target with each arrow. The archer with the most hits is the winner.

Archery, dating back to the Paleolithic era, was/is practiced by many cultures throughout the world. As civilization progressed, archery evolved from a method of hunting animals into a useful tool of warfare. In Japan, Kyudo was no different, having been an important part of military training for hundreds of years. But unlike western styles of archery, kyudo never suffered a decline in popularity. It was, and is, an important part of athletic life in Japan. Today, according to the All Nippon Kyudo Federation, which governs all competitive and non-competitive kyudo in Japan, there are more than half a million active participants.

Makiwara
Mato
Ya
Yumi
Yugake

Caution must always be taken whenever arrows are involved.

Participants spend many years developing proper form and technique, with a particular emphasis on movement relating to the release of the arrow. This is accompanied by a strict meditation and reflection regiment.

Before competitions, a series of common training methods are undertaken. First, practice pulls are taken on the bow to both stretch the muscles and test the bow for problems. Next, shots are taken at the makiwara, from seven feet away. This allows the archer to concentrate on technique, rather than where the arrow lands. Last, the archer shoots at mato, from a distance of twenty-eight feet. Once completed, the archer is considered ready to compete.

Makiwara - straw target, shot at from very close ranges

Mato - 36 centimeter target, shot at from a distance of 28 meters

Ya - bamboo arrows, affixed with swan or turkey feathers on the end

Yugake - deerskin glove, worn on the right hand

Yumi - two meter tall bow, made from bamboo

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyudo