Traditional Japanese Beauty, “Kyudo” (Japanese Archery)
The martial art showing Japanese beauty is Kyudo, I think. The form of Kyudo, the way to shoot the arrow, the thought of Kyudo itself, many things show Japanese beauty in Kyudo. I want to introduce Kyudo (Japanese Archery) club to you.Many people do not know about Kyudo, so I will introduce Kyudo first. About Kyudo, it is self-accomplishment martial art, to keep the Heijyo-shin (the presence of mind), so it is the sports stand off the player inside. The highest aim of Kyudo is “Shin” (genuine), “Zen” (goodness), and “Bi” (beauty). There is lengthy history about
Kyudo in Japan. It was started way before Jyomon period. The style of Kyudo is really changed from Jyomon period; it changed to sports, from the skill of living day-life. In these days, there are few players in Kyudo. The numbers of Kyudo player is decreasing more and more, and it is sad happening for me that many traditional Japanese sports or custom disappear… We, Japanese should protect our beautiful traditions from disappear.
From now on, I will introduce about Kyudo club in Kanda University. The aim of this club is very simple, to discipline individual Kyudo abilities. There are competitions in May and November (freshman competition), to get good result is also aims of this club. At same season, dan-kyu (category) exam is held too, this year, couple member tries to get higher dan-kyu. The yearly event include these competition, also there are participation of Hamakaze-festival (they held cockshy game), welcome party for new freshman, and summer training seminar. The members are about 8, and there is international student participate in this club, so it is the chance to share Japanese culture with them too.Activities are held on Tuesday, Wednesday (both week days held at 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.), and Saturday (1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.), meeting held at Wednesday lunchtime. There is website of Kanda University Kyudo club, http://ip.tosp.co.jp/i.asp?I=love_kyudo (Japanese only). If you want to join this club, or to see the activities, please send E-mail to Miss Fujita, president of Kyudo club. The E-mail address is on the Kyudo club website. If you want to know more about Kyudo, please go to All Japan Kyudo federation homepage, http://www.kyudo.jp/english/index.html (there is more information in Japanese site).
If you want to feel the real Japanese culture in Kanda University, besides of subculture like animation or so, please go to Kyudo club. Members are friendly, and you will get know more about Kyudo from them.
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