Library's review
from dust jacket
Kyudo-the Way of the Bow-is the oldest of Japan's traditional martial arts and the one most closely associated with bushido, the Way of the Warrior. After the Second World war Eugen Herrigel introduced the concept of kyudo to the West in his classic Zen in the Art of Japanese
In Kyudo: The Essence and Practice of Japanese Archery, Hideharu Onuma and his American co-authors, Dan and Jackie DeProspero, explain in detail both the spiritual and practical aspects of kyudo. Written with both novices and advanced students in mind, the book is presented in simple, straightforward language and features hundreds of detailed illustrations, supplemented by rare photographs of Master Onuma, clearly demonstrating the fundamental techniques and daily practice of this form of 'standing Zen.'
Including chapters on equipment and kyudojo construction, Kyudo: The essence and Practice of Japanese Archery is the most comprehensive reference work on the subject available. Special sections on problem solving and shitsu (errors) also make it a unique teaching an learning resource, and the concluding shiteimondo (teacher-student dialoque) provides unparalleled insights into the thoughts and teachings of a true master of the martial arts.
Hideharu Onuma was the 15th-generation headmaster of the Heki Ryu Sekka-ha school of archery and kyudo hanshi, 9th dan. He was born in Tokyo in 1910 into a highly respected archery family. Onuma sensei, who was instrumental in tnroducing kyiudo to the West, believed that kyudo belonged not just to the Japanese but to the whole world. Until his death in 1990 he made regular trips abroad to demonstrate and teach his art.
Dan and Jackie DeProspero left the United States for Japan in 1981, intending to stay for one year. Skhortly after their arrival they met Hideharu Onuma and began their study of kyudo. Later their relationship with Onuma sensei deepened when they moved into an apartment above the family archery ewquipment shp. In 1988 Dan DeProspero passed his examination for kyudo renshi (instructor's license). The following year he was promoted to 6th dan. Jackie DeProspero was the first non-Japanese woman to be promoted to kyudo 5th dan.
It's not often that one has the opportunity to review a book that is the definitive work in its field, but I got lucky. Kyudo is one such. Hideharu Onuma Sensei was the 15th-generation headmaster of a classical archery tradition, the Heki-ryu Sekki-ha, and at the time of his death in 1990 was a hanshi kyudan (9th dan), one of the most senior teachers of modern kyudo. The DeProsperos have lived and studied kyudo and aikido in Japan for more than a dozen years, much of that time living with their teacher. Dan DeProspero is a renshi rokudan (6th dan), an authorized kyudo instructor, and his wife, Jackie, is the first non-Japanese woman to be promoted to the rank of godan (5th dan) in the art. The text of Kyudo was written by the DeProsperos, but the words and spirit are largely those of Onuma Sensei. This book is a fitting tribute to their teacher and an example of their deep devotion and thorough knowledge of kyudo in particular and the Japanese martial arts in general.
The book begins with a discussion of what kyudo is and why people pursue it as a lifelong study. The art of Japanese archery is seen as a means of directly experiencing, thence understanding, truth, goodness, and beauty through shugyo, the austere training of spirit, mind and body, using the bow as a vehicle and one's Self, as the target. Chapter Two is a succinct discussion of the history and development of kyudo, beginning with the prehistoric period and continuing to the foundation of the All-Japan Kyudo Federation. The third chapter deals with the spirit of kyudo. It examines the manner in which the cognitive mind, or shin (kokoro), combines with vital energy, ki, producing the self-control and emotional stability essential to proper technique. The next two chapters are detailed descriptions of the archery range and equipment used in the art of kyudo. The technical core of the book is contained in Chapters Six, Seven and Eight. Chapter Six is entitled 'Hassetsu: The Eight Stages of Shooting.' Chapter Seven deals with 'The Technique and Practice of Kyudo.' Although no book can substitute for practicing under the direct supervision of a competent teacher, the explanations and illustrations in this section are of such high quality that many readers may well be tempted to try to do so, and come close to succeeding. They are that good. The last chapter is 'Problem Solving.' For the dedicated archer, these three chapters alone are worth the cost of the book. They sum up years of training in a manner that is easy to understand, give a wealth of information, and never overload the reader with too much detail.
The appendix is another feature of this book that makes it an important reference for everybody who is interested in martial disciplines in particular or Japanese culture in general. Entitled 'Shitemon_do: Student-Teacher Conversations,' it is a series of talks that the DeProsperos had with Onuma Sensei over a period of several years and covers a variety of subjects ranging from the purpose of training in kyudo (or any martial art or way), the way budo training changes its practitioners, the mental processes and attitudes involved in training, to some of the aesthetic and philosophic principles intrinsic to the martial arts. Regardless of the particular discipline that one studies, the topics covered in these conversations are of immediate bearing to all budoka and should prove invaluable in their training. A brief bibliography and a directory of kyudo dojo and organizations all over the world follow the appendix and provide the interested reader with means of further study and investigation of Japanese archery.
In closing, just a few more words: Buy This Book!!
Contents
Acknowledgements
Peface
Foreword
Introduction
1 What is Kyudo?
Truth, Goodness, and Beauty; The search for Truth; The Importance of Goodness; The Beauty of Kyudo; Grace, Dignity, and Tranquility; Philosophical Influences; Endless Practice
2 The History and Development of Kyudo
Prehistoric Period; Ancient Period; Feudal Period; Transitional Period; Modern Period
3 The Spirit of Kyudo
The Working of the Spirit; Importance of Balanced Effort; Discovering the True Self
4 The Shooting Place
Respect, Harmony, and Etiquette; The Different Types of Kyudojo; The Makiwara Kyudojo; The Single Target Kyudojo; The Standard Kyudojo
5 Equipment and Accessories
The Japanese Bow (Yumi); Choosing a Uni; Caring for the Yumi; Correcting the Shape of the Yumi; The Bowstring (Tsuri); Tying the Tsuru; Stringing the Yumi; Preparing the Nocking Area (Nakajikake); Storing the Yumi; The Arro Head (Yajiri/Yanone); The Nock (Hazu); The Feathers (Hane); Care and Stoage of the Arrows; The Glove (Yugake); Tying the Yugake; Caring for the Yugake; The Target (Mato); The Practice Uniform (Keiko-gi); Tying the Obi; Tying the Hakama
6 Hassetsu: The Eight Stages of Shooting
Ashiumi (footing); Dozukuri (correcting the posture); Yugamai (readying the bow); Torikake; Tenouchi; Monomi; Uchiokoshi (raising the bow); Hikiwake (drawing the bow); Kai (completing the draw); Aiming; Breathing; Hanare (the release); Yugaeri; Zanshin (continuation); Yudaoshi
7 The Technique and Practice of Kyudo
Kyudo Technique; Basic Technique and Insturciton; Intermediate Technique and Instruction; Advanced Technique and Instruction; Standard Practice Methods; Seated Practice; Standing Practice; Dealing with Errors; Procedure for Retrieving a Dropped Bow; Procedure for Retrieving a Dropped Arrow; Procedure for Retrieving a Broken String
8 Problem Solving
Appendix-Shiteimondo: Student-Teacher Conversatins
Bibliography
Directory
Index
Kyudo-the Way of the Bow-is the oldest of Japan's traditional martial arts and the one most closely associated with bushido, the Way of the Warrior. After the Second World war Eugen Herrigel introduced the concept of kyudo to the West in his classic Zen in the Art of Japanese
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Archery. But until now, no Japanese kyudo master has published a book on his art in English.In Kyudo: The Essence and Practice of Japanese Archery, Hideharu Onuma and his American co-authors, Dan and Jackie DeProspero, explain in detail both the spiritual and practical aspects of kyudo. Written with both novices and advanced students in mind, the book is presented in simple, straightforward language and features hundreds of detailed illustrations, supplemented by rare photographs of Master Onuma, clearly demonstrating the fundamental techniques and daily practice of this form of 'standing Zen.'
Including chapters on equipment and kyudojo construction, Kyudo: The essence and Practice of Japanese Archery is the most comprehensive reference work on the subject available. Special sections on problem solving and shitsu (errors) also make it a unique teaching an learning resource, and the concluding shiteimondo (teacher-student dialoque) provides unparalleled insights into the thoughts and teachings of a true master of the martial arts.
Hideharu Onuma was the 15th-generation headmaster of the Heki Ryu Sekka-ha school of archery and kyudo hanshi, 9th dan. He was born in Tokyo in 1910 into a highly respected archery family. Onuma sensei, who was instrumental in tnroducing kyiudo to the West, believed that kyudo belonged not just to the Japanese but to the whole world. Until his death in 1990 he made regular trips abroad to demonstrate and teach his art.
Dan and Jackie DeProspero left the United States for Japan in 1981, intending to stay for one year. Skhortly after their arrival they met Hideharu Onuma and began their study of kyudo. Later their relationship with Onuma sensei deepened when they moved into an apartment above the family archery ewquipment shp. In 1988 Dan DeProspero passed his examination for kyudo renshi (instructor's license). The following year he was promoted to 6th dan. Jackie DeProspero was the first non-Japanese woman to be promoted to kyudo 5th dan.
It's not often that one has the opportunity to review a book that is the definitive work in its field, but I got lucky. Kyudo is one such. Hideharu Onuma Sensei was the 15th-generation headmaster of a classical archery tradition, the Heki-ryu Sekki-ha, and at the time of his death in 1990 was a hanshi kyudan (9th dan), one of the most senior teachers of modern kyudo. The DeProsperos have lived and studied kyudo and aikido in Japan for more than a dozen years, much of that time living with their teacher. Dan DeProspero is a renshi rokudan (6th dan), an authorized kyudo instructor, and his wife, Jackie, is the first non-Japanese woman to be promoted to the rank of godan (5th dan) in the art. The text of Kyudo was written by the DeProsperos, but the words and spirit are largely those of Onuma Sensei. This book is a fitting tribute to their teacher and an example of their deep devotion and thorough knowledge of kyudo in particular and the Japanese martial arts in general.
The book begins with a discussion of what kyudo is and why people pursue it as a lifelong study. The art of Japanese archery is seen as a means of directly experiencing, thence understanding, truth, goodness, and beauty through shugyo, the austere training of spirit, mind and body, using the bow as a vehicle and one's Self, as the target. Chapter Two is a succinct discussion of the history and development of kyudo, beginning with the prehistoric period and continuing to the foundation of the All-Japan Kyudo Federation. The third chapter deals with the spirit of kyudo. It examines the manner in which the cognitive mind, or shin (kokoro), combines with vital energy, ki, producing the self-control and emotional stability essential to proper technique. The next two chapters are detailed descriptions of the archery range and equipment used in the art of kyudo. The technical core of the book is contained in Chapters Six, Seven and Eight. Chapter Six is entitled 'Hassetsu: The Eight Stages of Shooting.' Chapter Seven deals with 'The Technique and Practice of Kyudo.' Although no book can substitute for practicing under the direct supervision of a competent teacher, the explanations and illustrations in this section are of such high quality that many readers may well be tempted to try to do so, and come close to succeeding. They are that good. The last chapter is 'Problem Solving.' For the dedicated archer, these three chapters alone are worth the cost of the book. They sum up years of training in a manner that is easy to understand, give a wealth of information, and never overload the reader with too much detail.
The appendix is another feature of this book that makes it an important reference for everybody who is interested in martial disciplines in particular or Japanese culture in general. Entitled 'Shitemon_do: Student-Teacher Conversations,' it is a series of talks that the DeProsperos had with Onuma Sensei over a period of several years and covers a variety of subjects ranging from the purpose of training in kyudo (or any martial art or way), the way budo training changes its practitioners, the mental processes and attitudes involved in training, to some of the aesthetic and philosophic principles intrinsic to the martial arts. Regardless of the particular discipline that one studies, the topics covered in these conversations are of immediate bearing to all budoka and should prove invaluable in their training. A brief bibliography and a directory of kyudo dojo and organizations all over the world follow the appendix and provide the interested reader with means of further study and investigation of Japanese archery.
In closing, just a few more words: Buy This Book!!
Contents
Acknowledgements
Peface
Foreword
Introduction
1 What is Kyudo?
Truth, Goodness, and Beauty; The search for Truth; The Importance of Goodness; The Beauty of Kyudo; Grace, Dignity, and Tranquility; Philosophical Influences; Endless Practice
2 The History and Development of Kyudo
Prehistoric Period; Ancient Period; Feudal Period; Transitional Period; Modern Period
3 The Spirit of Kyudo
The Working of the Spirit; Importance of Balanced Effort; Discovering the True Self
4 The Shooting Place
Respect, Harmony, and Etiquette; The Different Types of Kyudojo; The Makiwara Kyudojo; The Single Target Kyudojo; The Standard Kyudojo
5 Equipment and Accessories
The Japanese Bow (Yumi); Choosing a Uni; Caring for the Yumi; Correcting the Shape of the Yumi; The Bowstring (Tsuri); Tying the Tsuru; Stringing the Yumi; Preparing the Nocking Area (Nakajikake); Storing the Yumi; The Arro Head (Yajiri/Yanone); The Nock (Hazu); The Feathers (Hane); Care and Stoage of the Arrows; The Glove (Yugake); Tying the Yugake; Caring for the Yugake; The Target (Mato); The Practice Uniform (Keiko-gi); Tying the Obi; Tying the Hakama
6 Hassetsu: The Eight Stages of Shooting
Ashiumi (footing); Dozukuri (correcting the posture); Yugamai (readying the bow); Torikake; Tenouchi; Monomi; Uchiokoshi (raising the bow); Hikiwake (drawing the bow); Kai (completing the draw); Aiming; Breathing; Hanare (the release); Yugaeri; Zanshin (continuation); Yudaoshi
7 The Technique and Practice of Kyudo
Kyudo Technique; Basic Technique and Insturciton; Intermediate Technique and Instruction; Advanced Technique and Instruction; Standard Practice Methods; Seated Practice; Standing Practice; Dealing with Errors; Procedure for Retrieving a Dropped Bow; Procedure for Retrieving a Dropped Arrow; Procedure for Retrieving a Broken String
8 Problem Solving
Appendix-Shiteimondo: Student-Teacher Conversatins
Bibliography
Directory
Index
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Publication
Kodansha International Tokyo New York London