Kyudo (Japanese: Kyu:bow. Do: a way or moral discipline) is the oldest of Japan's traditional martial arts. For several hundred years it has served as the ideal expression of Japanese culture. Throughout history there has never been another culture that has so closely linked the act of shooting the bow with the condition of the human spirit. Kyudo is rich in history and tradition. The bow has been used for a variety of purposes; hunting, war, and courtly games and rituals, religious ceremonies and contests of skill. Many of these games and rituals survive to this day. Indeed, even today the traditional Sumo dojo is blessed at the beginning of a tournament by the waving over it of a Japanese bow and the bow is also one of the symbols of the Yokozuna or grand champions. The bow is no longer a practical weapon or hunting tool. Today Kyudo is practised primarily as a method of physical, spiritual and self-development.

The practice of Kyudo requires of the student self -control and a developing insight into the complex interplay between mind and body. As with, say yoga or tai-chi, mastery of the outward forms leads to greater awareness of the true unity of the physical, emotional and mental foundation of our lives. It has a sporting aspect but is not a sport. It has a spiritual aspect but is not a religion. It is a physical discipline with a powerful psychological and emotional power. This diversity provides a means for balancing these very different dimensions of human life within a single activity.

It is often suggested that it is not important to hit the target in kyudo. This is not true. If the shooting is correct in form, concentration and mental attitude the arrow will hit the target. The student must strive to attain this hitting with correct attitude and concentration. It is when the target is hit without this correctness in form, concentration and mental attitude that the hitting of the target is unimportant. What makes kyudo unique as a form of archery is that at its highest level the correctness of form is attained by an expansion of spiritual energy which results in an intuitive release.

Since correct hitting can only come from correct shooting and correct shooting is the outcome of finding the right balance in body, mind and will, the target in kyudo is seen as a mirror of the archer's heart.

All practice of kyudo follows an eight-stage set of movements, the Hassetsu - every aspect of which is closely described and which must be followed exactly. While this may seem restrictive to some it is in the moulding of the body and will within the proper prescribed form that provides kyodo with its basis for spiritual and moral training.

An old kyudo text states; "Shooting embraces the three spheres of mind, body and spirit. These spheres, being linked together one to the other, bring a thousand upon ten thousand changes to the workings of the art.....Cleanse your mind and correct your body, with singleness of purpose nurture the proper spirit, practice the correct technique and throw yourself into your training with all the sincerity you can muster. This is the only way."

Adrian Hall, the shidosha at Heijoshin Kyudojo, began training in kyudo in 1991. It has taken him all over Europe, to the annual European seminars, at which the very best Japanese teachers give instruction at all levels prior to examining the students and awarding grades and to the European championships as a member of the British team. He has also travelled to Japan to receive training and instruction and to take gradings. He now holds the grade of 5th Dan.

There is a growing number of practitioners in the UK with established groups in London, Kent, Oxford and Manchester and now in Hertfordshire at the Heijoshin Kyudojo at the Village Hall, Cottered, Herts. Training at Heijoshin Kyudojo is currently on Saturday morning from 10:00 until 12:00. There is an annual United Kingdom Kyudo Association membership fee and a weekly fee, paid in 12 week blocks, to pay for the hire of the premises. The Heijoshin Kyudojo is recognised by the United Kingdom Kyudo Association, the governing body for the All Nippon Kyudo Federation kyudo in the UK as are all the other dojo referred to on this page. Adrian Hall is a member of the UKKA Shidoinkai and a recognized dojo leader.

The pictures in this article are of Satou Sensei, 7th dan Kyoshi and were taken in Japan.