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Trying and not trying: reflections on the target.

marshallelliott — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 21:33:43 GMT

Recently, while I was thinking about my practice with Kyudo, it occurred to me that one of the most interesting challenges I come up against is the moment of release of an arrow. This is truly the focus, the central moment of any archery. In Japanese, it is called "hanare." The importance of this extremely short moment is brought into awareness through the slow, methodical form that precedes the release.

There are many ways of looking at it, such as a means to an end: the accuracy of the flight of the arrow is determined by the precision of the release, and if the goal is to hit the target, the release is joined with the hope of hitting the target (or the fear of missing). Another approach might be that "it doesn't matter whether you hit the target or not," which might perhaps lead to not caring about the form, or being so detached that the whole process is meaningless.

A third approach, and the one I find most compelling, is somewhere between these two: a concerted effort without attachment to outcome. Of course, this is next to impossible, and that is why it is called "practice." This paradox arises in seated meditation as well, as the goal of enlightenment can be seen as one more of our never-ending desires. The harder we try to "get" to a goal, the more it eludes us, especially when that goal is realization. So there is practice with effort (because otherwise, what's the point?), and then there is the relaxing into the space that is free from attainment, free from the duality of right/wrong, hit/miss, good/bad.

The more I think about it, the more central I see this issue to every aspect of my life I care about. Always it comes down to: "how can I do my best _and_ completely accept the world that arises as it is?" So I keep practicing letting these arrows go, asking and learning, opening to awareness, one shot at a time, over and over. The target is my mirror, showing me where I'm at right now.

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Dojo in Utah?

Jeffrey — Mon, 21 May 2007 05:59:04 GMT

I recently have become highly interested in Kyudo. Upon heavy research, I have come up empty handed in my search for a dojo in the northern Utah area. My only option left is to reach out and see if anyone else knows anything. If you have any information on a dojo or private instructor that would be great. I accept emails at lineman2004@msn.com.
There has got to be a network of private instructors somewhere!

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Kyoto Kyudo

marshallelliott — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 06:57:40 GMT

Well, I've finally made it to Japan! Spent three days in Kyoto. Saw a couple of different Kyudo spots:

Sanjusangendo, where they have the Toshiya contest every January and they used to have the contest where archers shot 120m for 24 hours. The record was over 13,000 arrows (ya) with over 8,000 hitting the target. When you see in person how far 120m really is, it is very impressive.

A Kyudojo, located at the Budo training center near the Heian shrine. Immaculately clean, modern structure. Nobody was around. Then I noticed a poster for a Kyudo tournament being held in Tokyo that day! I guess everybody was there. Too bad I couldn't have seen that!

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How to start in Kyudo?

Thu, 08 Jun 2006 21:57:19 GMT

Hi,
I've been interested in Kyudo for a little while, but still can't get started. The equipment alone is not that easy to obtain. Instruction is another matter. Any suggestions? Any sources of equipment that have bearable prices-I am aware of Asahi USA.
Is that possible to study it by your self?
Thanks

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Introduction

marshallelliott — Mon, 13 Feb 2006 21:39:54 GMT

Hello!
I just started this tribe for all those interested in Kyudo. I've been practicing Kyudo for about four years now. My teacher is Kanjuro Shibata Sensei XX. Although Shibata Sensei teaches Kyudo as a strict contemplative form (i.e. "standing zazen"), I am interested and open to all traditions. Let's see where it goes...

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