On Saturday the 18th of August, Randwick and Trentham Camp Archery Clubs played host to four kyudo-ka (traditional Japanese archers). They were in Wellington for Japan Week and were part of a group of 12 archers representing various Japanese Ryu (school/style/club)
Club members were briefly introduced to the mechanics of kyudo but the archery side of things is a very small part of the total picture of physical, moral and spiritual values. Later, we made close inspection of bamboo bows (yumi) and arrows (ya) with fletchings made of eagle, hawk, or swan feathers. More about this in my next article.
Following the demonstrations of the 'practice method' of kyudo on the 60 metre line, club members joined in, shooting western style archery. The 'practice method' involves little ceremony, other than Hassetsu or the eight stages leading to the release of the arrow.
Back at the clubhouse there was an exchange of gifts including hats from Randwick and club pins from Trentham Camp. The photo shows 9th dan Tanaka Sensei wearing his New Zealand archery cap.
I also went to both demonstrations held at Wellington's Michael Fowler Centre. Sunday I saw traditional archery with all the ceremony of entering and leaving the dojo as well as between shooting each arrow. In kyudo, two arrows are usually involved; one being shot and the other ready to shoot and held in the release hand. On Monday, the kyudo-ka gave a display of the 'practice method'.
Both days our kyudo-ka friends wore their Trentham Camp badges with pride and profusely thanked me for great hospitality on Saturday (easy to take the credit for so many people's hard work. Thanks guys).
The kyudo-ka flew home on Tuesday morning at 5am with the knowledge that a typhoon was about to hit Japan but also with the knowledge of introducing kyudo - the way of the bow to Wellingtonians.
I was fascinated but alas, there are no schools in New Zealand. My Taoist/Tai Chi perception could appreciate the art of Zen and my archery perception - appreciate the way of the bow (kyudo). The concept to aim at the target (mato) but not necessarily hit it appealed even more - kyudo is all in the form - the mindful, present oneness of Ultimate Reality (Shin), Goodness (Zen) and Beauty (Bi) that counts.
Ferne Mckenzie
Trentham Camp Archery Club
