Library's review
'...The art of archery is rather like a preparatory school for Zen, for it enable ste beginner to gain a clearer view, through the works of his own hands, of events which are not in themselves intelligible....(It is) the unmoved movement, the undanced dance....'-Herrigel, Zen in the Art of
The sport of archery in Japan is called kyudo-literally, 'the way of the bow.' But kyudo is more than a sport, for its is also a spiritual discipine, and in this fact lies the secret of its fascination for generations of Japanese since early times. Now, through the enjoyable medium of this new book-the first in English to deal comprehensively with the subject-Westerners are invited to dscover the virutes and peasures of this unique Japanese art.
A continuing mystery about the martial arts of Japan is that they have largely shaped their principles and intuitions from the contemplative and unmilitant whorld of Zen Buddhism. Nowhere is this more evident than in kyudo, an art practiced for centuries by warriors, nobleman, priests, and the oridinary citiznery, including women as well as men. The present book neatly resolves the seeming paradox between the martial and the spiritual aspects of kyudo, and the reader comes to understand one of kyudo's basic tenets: 'You find our own character at the moment of shooting.' Written by two European practitioners of kyudo who mastered the art in Japan, the book reveals not only its history and technqiues but also its physical and mental rewards.
Two introductory chapters, one on Zen Buddhism and its role in the evolution of such Japanese sports as judo, karate, and kyudo, the other on the development of archery in the West and in the Orient, set the stage. The main section of the book begins with a description of kyudo equipment and continues with an explantation of kyudo techniques, including the eight basic stages for aiming and shooting. Because kyudo is steeped in centuries-old samurai tradtions, the discussion is accompanied by a wealth of instructive detail concerning traditional tournaments, ceremonial matches, archery on horseback, and the like.
The step-by-step photographs and expert illsutrations, the clear-cut explantaons, and the presentation of kyudo terminology in both english and Japanese make the book an eminently practical one for those who wish to take up the sprot-one which can be practiced, incidentalliy, withoiut lavish expenditure. It goes almost without saying that readers itnerested in Zen and things Japanese will find the book a genuine pleasure. certainlky for those who are tired of the usual physical diversions of the West, it will open up new and exciting possibiiities, and if the reader gians a clearer appreciation of how body and spirit can be made to serve each other, that is an additional bonus.
Andre Sollier, Frenchman by birth, resident of Sweden, and presently a sojourner in Japan, is a former businessman who now devotes his time to the study of Buddhism, such martial arts as karate, kendo, and kyudo, and the gentler arts of calligraphy, ikebana, and ink painting. He has had severla exhibitions of his work in the latter three arts in Japan and Europe.
Zsolt Gyorbiro, born in Hungary and now resident in Sweden, where he began his study of kyudo and karate, is a specialist in optics and photography. In 1966 he accompanied Mr. Sollier to Japan, joined him in an intensive study of kyudo, and collaborated with him there in the writing of this book.
Contents
Foreword
Authors' Note
1 History and background
2 Equipment
3 Preparation and basic techniques
4 Shooting
5 Styles and tradition
Glossary
Show More
ArcheryThe sport of archery in Japan is called kyudo-literally, 'the way of the bow.' But kyudo is more than a sport, for its is also a spiritual discipine, and in this fact lies the secret of its fascination for generations of Japanese since early times. Now, through the enjoyable medium of this new book-the first in English to deal comprehensively with the subject-Westerners are invited to dscover the virutes and peasures of this unique Japanese art.
A continuing mystery about the martial arts of Japan is that they have largely shaped their principles and intuitions from the contemplative and unmilitant whorld of Zen Buddhism. Nowhere is this more evident than in kyudo, an art practiced for centuries by warriors, nobleman, priests, and the oridinary citiznery, including women as well as men. The present book neatly resolves the seeming paradox between the martial and the spiritual aspects of kyudo, and the reader comes to understand one of kyudo's basic tenets: 'You find our own character at the moment of shooting.' Written by two European practitioners of kyudo who mastered the art in Japan, the book reveals not only its history and technqiues but also its physical and mental rewards.
Two introductory chapters, one on Zen Buddhism and its role in the evolution of such Japanese sports as judo, karate, and kyudo, the other on the development of archery in the West and in the Orient, set the stage. The main section of the book begins with a description of kyudo equipment and continues with an explantation of kyudo techniques, including the eight basic stages for aiming and shooting. Because kyudo is steeped in centuries-old samurai tradtions, the discussion is accompanied by a wealth of instructive detail concerning traditional tournaments, ceremonial matches, archery on horseback, and the like.
The step-by-step photographs and expert illsutrations, the clear-cut explantaons, and the presentation of kyudo terminology in both english and Japanese make the book an eminently practical one for those who wish to take up the sprot-one which can be practiced, incidentalliy, withoiut lavish expenditure. It goes almost without saying that readers itnerested in Zen and things Japanese will find the book a genuine pleasure. certainlky for those who are tired of the usual physical diversions of the West, it will open up new and exciting possibiiities, and if the reader gians a clearer appreciation of how body and spirit can be made to serve each other, that is an additional bonus.
Andre Sollier, Frenchman by birth, resident of Sweden, and presently a sojourner in Japan, is a former businessman who now devotes his time to the study of Buddhism, such martial arts as karate, kendo, and kyudo, and the gentler arts of calligraphy, ikebana, and ink painting. He has had severla exhibitions of his work in the latter three arts in Japan and Europe.
Zsolt Gyorbiro, born in Hungary and now resident in Sweden, where he began his study of kyudo and karate, is a specialist in optics and photography. In 1966 he accompanied Mr. Sollier to Japan, joined him in an intensive study of kyudo, and collaborated with him there in the writing of this book.
Contents
Foreword
Authors' Note
1 History and background
2 Equipment
3 Preparation and basic techniques
4 Shooting
5 Styles and tradition
Glossary
Show Less
Publication
Walker/Weatherill A Weatherhill Book New York & Tokyo