Day IV - Kyudo

Another day and we are out early catching the mono-rail to the park this time over to the Kyudo dojo and to see Yoh Sensei’s boat which is on display.
We were expecting it to go by the Kyudo dojo and just be left to shoot a few times and the Sensei was just going to be around. WRONG!!

At first the person who greeted us seemed unsure about the whole thing, but after a few minutes of explanation he agreed to let us in and for me to shoot.
After being outfitted with equipment NOGAMI, KATSUTOSHI Sensei shows up. I introduced myself and Lady Zen gave him the story. He asked what style I was learning and who the sensei was? I said Hmm Heki ryu, He said I am Heki ryu, sensei wa? ( your Senesi?) I told him, oh he said I know him, he is a bowmaker.

He was very receptive and right away showed me the correct way of stuff from the beginning starting with how to put on the glove. The tie I had learn was different. I remember someone saying some places are different ties which are on the bottom.
Next the entrance, Mine was all wrong!! “Chigaou” ( wrong) he said after I started in the dojo, after just bowing. He had me start over, and showed me the way. I was told to copy him exactly I did so. Hai, (yes) he said!

Next coming up to the target, again I was incorrect with the steps and “addressing” the target. They com eup to it a certain way, kneel, turn on the kenees, then raise. ( simple discription) More correction, now there was the Asst. instructor also helping and soon another Asst. instructor joined. So now I have private instructions from the Master and his senior students, whao

I’m shocked, Lady Zen is shocked! We had no idea it would turn into this big event. We spoke later I may have been one of the few Gaijin visitors, and maybe the first Gaijn of color.

Anyway  I digress

I felt clumsy with my efforts I had thought I had at least the basics down from my seminar, this was different, at least I knew how to hold the Yumi (bow), the stance and finger positions. However everyone was being helpful and patient so I paid close attention, this is all going on in Japanese. I was shown how to kneel and turn to set up for the target. Different from what I learned. Next the stance, ok, now things are getting familiar. Loading the bow was different and at the same time the same. I followed instructions. I was told how to grip the arrow and how to grip the bow with the left hand. The cocking and setup was different but close enough that I got it quickly. The draw was the same, and was told the same thing by Don at the seminar, to place the arrow staff on the cheek.

I shot about 3 times, Then the Sensei left the hall. I was told that his students were waiting for him so he left. One asst. stayed and helped me more. After a short time we get a message from the Sensei, that his class is starting I should come watch.
We went to the main hall, and were directed to sit up with the Sensei. (We found out later this was a great honor) He explained alot to Lady Zen in Japanese, I only got some of it translated to me. The short of it was the whole thing was different from the States version, this was traditional Japanese Kyudo from the way they entered the Dojo, to the timing and sequence they shot. Not all together. One at a time everything was should be to timed to the second. One the first person finished the next shot, but the next started their prep at a certain time while the other was shooting, the person behind them also waited until a certain number of events took place then started making ready. They did not turn to look at each other or the surroundings at any time, it had to be felt and heard. Once each person finished their shot they knelt and waited. The first did not stand again until the last person was finished, but started their prep at a certain time when the next to the last person was finishing. If even one second was off from the timing of the entrance to the exit of the group shooting was off, it was wrong. Where I guess this was important was in a formal show/contest as a group/school.

We believe that since I was a rare vistor from the States he arranged to give me a private demo of tradtional Kyudo. He asked if I had learned the things that they did? I said some some and some were different. His comment was “Hmmm Okashii” (weird), This is Traditional Japanese style!

The amount of mindfulness/ awareness was impressive. It was explained to us that the white and black gigs, where for training and the Kimonos were for formal event, shootings, tournaments, etc. The Sensei explained that there was three parts to learning to shoot, first to watch alot, learn from what you see. Then to shoot and practice alot!. Then think about your shooting, your practice, see it all , review it all in your mind.

After watching the shooting (which we were pretty sure was arranged as a demo just for us, because some seemed unsure of just what to do afterward.) I was told to go back to the other dojo and practice, the asst. was directed to help.

Things were easier this time, I remembered some parts some not, overall though I got it. I made three shots at the close target, then was moved to the long range position. I was not expecting this… I came close but did not hit the target, which was not a big deal. The asst. did not hit it ether, it was about the shooting not the hitting at this point. My first shot fell short of the target but in front of it. My next shot went past the target, but a little to the side of it. I was pleased even with that.

Time was getting late for us, so I had to excuse myself from any more shooting
The Sensei showed me some pictures of him doing the sequence to shooting, the asst. made some copies for me to take home.

The Sensei told us he had been doing Kyudo for 60 years, he had retired from being the master teacher there at the dojo, but still came in for free to help. The students that were there were senior Kyudo students who had long ago finished basics and even advance training. They now came just to learn with him.
He is 85 years old and still amazingly active.

Nogami, Katsutoshi Sensei was very free with is help and time. Lady Zen was told by one of the asst. Instructors he thought I had been doing this for awhile since my form looked good. While gathering my things from the changing room, he called me to the side and said something about Senesi, and me, or Sensei said something about me, who was also in the room, It sounded like a complement, so I just said thank you and explained my Japanese was still limited, sorry I could not understand more.

This was Lady Zen’s first time seeing Kyudo, she was impressed with all the detail and the explainations giving by The Master.

I did get from Lady Zen who told him we were planing on moving there, that we were invited to please come back. So I guess we left a good impression. Yokata! ( cool! fortunate )

More photos on Flica: Zen’s Photos

Our next stop was over to the Expo park to see the boat Yoh sensei built himself to circumnavigate. Hmm This small write up will be on the sailing blog.

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