KAC at Powell Street Festival - Demo Part 2

[Juniorskatesemerica]

Where can I buy Kyudo gear online?

[KyudoCanada]

There are several places you can buy kyudo equipment online, though it is advisable to get the aid of an instructor. Asahi America is one of the few US kyugu retailers. Sambu Kyugu is one of the few Japanese shops with an English website.

[5tonyvvvv]

what is the core of the bow made from? i know the outside is bamboo

[ShinigamiClara]

woohoo! new to kyudo...but sadly, toronto doesn't have a kyudojo or any clubs that teach kyudo... hopefully soon :D

[KyudoCanada]

Hi Clara -

There used to be a Zenko kyudo group in the Niagara area, but I noticed it isn't listed any more. There are apparently Zenko groups in Ottawa and Montreal.

[KyudoCanada]

If you happen to check back, Toronto has established a relatively strong kyudo group through the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre. The contact there is Ms. Takahashi.

[kingprout1blackops]

eh? what are they using at timestamp 1:33 to 2:04?

[KyudoCanada]

That would be a gomu-yumi (lit. rubber bow). Sometimes, it can just be a piece of latex tubing, or something made to feel more like a bow. It's a way to train the muscles to get used to the kyudo movements, without having to worry about manipulating the actual tools (bow and arrow, glove). Even experienced kyudoka use them sometimes to work on form.

[kingprout1blackops]

interesting.

I've just about finished making a yumi (from local materials). I haven't bound its knuckles yet, nor lacquered it, but I have strung and shot it. It feels to be about 20kg at max draw.

I've never seen a yumi with my own eyes, let alone held or used one, mind you.

I need to learn how to use it properly.

would you recommend the use of a gomu-yumi as a training aid?

[KyudoCanada]

Hi. Well, for most schools of kyudo, beginners start with the gomu-yumi. If one doesn't know how to draw the yumi properly, it will definitely impact the quality of the shooting. Also, even for full-grown adults, once one graduates from the gomu-yumi, we generally advise starting with a bow that is 10-11 kg in draw weight. Having too heavy of a bow will also break-down the form, since the body won't be able to support the force.

Where are you located?

[kingprout1blackops]

Podunk.

seriously.

South Georgia.

The closest kyudo dojo I know of is in Atlanta.

the yumi doesn't feel too heavy to me - I'm used to a 50# european recurve.

the major problem is "where do I practice?"

outdoors is a recipe for lost arrows.

there is an indoor range not too far away, but they're pretty busy catering to the incipient bowhunting season.

[KyudoCanada]

The Georgia Kyudo Renmei is where Eve & I learned kyudo (specifically Bi Toku Kyudo Kai in ATL). It is a very good group to learn from. I believe they or another renmei in the southern US also has an affiliate in FL. I can't remember whether it was north or south florida though.

My advice is to visit GKR/Bi Toku's website, and perhaps try to make a visit up there some time. Every now and then, GKR also has a weekend intensive, so Ed sensei might be willing to have you join them for one.

[kingprout1blackops]

I'll have to look into it, of course.

ah! I remember now what I wanted to ask you: where the **** do I get arrows/shafts of the requisite length? As far as I know, the commercial titans of conventional archery (EG: eASTON) don't make shafts longer than 33". Not a prob. on a euro recurve, as my draw length on those is 28.5", but with a yumi my full draw length is about 40"

HALP!(?)

note: expect a sitemail - this forum msg stuff is inefficient