The Full Story
About
Started in 2013 by 2 experienced Iaido/Jodo practitioners (Jeri James and Peter Carr) and a single statement. "Do you know anything about Kudo Jeri? , I've seen some stuff on YouTube and I don't think I've seen better Zanshin", "Yes, Pete, I have some gear I brought back from Japan some years ago, I shoot occasionally, let me bring it in and I'll show you what I know next week".
In a few weeks, we had a 6 member interest group and in a few months in 2014, those members founded the West Australian Kyudo Association on the grounds of the Japanese Gardens at Willow Pond Reception Center (now closed sadly).
Now, in 2024 we have around 30 active members.
Founding Members
Jeri James (The Associations first instructor and committee member)
Peter Carr (The Associations first senpai and Treasurer)
Ramon Lawrence (The Owner of Willow Pond and head of the Dojo in which all arts (Kendo/Iaido/Jodo and Kyudo were first practiced) and first Association President
Neville Browning OAM (First Vice President)
Ben Van Deijl (First Secretary)
Rachel Carr (committee member)
Current Committee 2024
Jeri James 2nd DAN - President
Neville Browning OAM 3rd DAN - Vice President
Peter Carr 4th DAN - Secretary
Sean Koh 2nd DAN - Treasurer
Rachel Carr 4th DAN- Committee Member
Brendon Manning 2nd DAN - Committee Member
The Logo
Over time, the logo has come to mean different things to different people. It was suggested by Jeri James and designed by Peter Carr. When it was designed Peter considered the 6 arrows of a standard set and how they might be used. The 2 forward Ya in white represent the 2 Ya we shoot in hassetsu as performed in Taihai or Shinsa. Often we keep these arrows from a set of 6 separate, so they maintain their beauty longer. The remaining 4 arrows are shown as 3 black arrows representing the ones we shoot all the time in training and the one you can't see, the one that misses, that's the one we learn the most from. The ring is representative of the mato we shoot at. The staggered nature of the arrows is representative of their appearance in a communal arrow box during regular training.
What is Kyudo?
弓道 (Kyūdō)
Kyudo is the Japanese martial art of archery, characterised by the distinctive asymmetrical longbow, and its emphasis on being about the Spirit as much as it is about the Body.
As with all budo, Kyudo practise includes the idea of moral and spiritual development, with rei (礼) being etiquette and attitude towards others as one of the cornerstones. Whilst modern Kyudo is gradually being enjoyed as a sport, hitting the target is not the goal. Rather, the philosophy that underpins Kyudo is when the technique of the shooting is correct, the arrow will hit the target as a result.
The goal of Kyudo, per All Nippon Kyūdō Federation (ANKF), is the state of shin-zen-bi (真善美), roughly "truth-goodness-beauty", which can be approximated as: when archers shoot correctly (i.e. truthfully) with virtuous spirit and attitude toward all persons and all things which relate to Kyudo (i.e. with goodness), beautiful shooting is realized naturally.
Vision
SHIN（Truth）
In Kyudo, true shooting is that of no deceit. As in the expression "straight as an arrow", if arrows naturally fly straight, one might wonder how the shooting could possibly be deceitful?
Seeking the answer to this question is an essential aspect of Kyudo. The greater purpose of the act of shooting the bow is to seeking the truth. Every shot is devoted to getting closer to the truth.
The truth of the bow is measured by its sae (serenity), tsurune (sound of the string during release) and tekichu (hitting the target). The way of the bow is a process of seeking Shin by improving these skills, one shot at a time.
ZEN（Goodness）
Zen is the manifestation of the ethical aspect of Kyudo. The ethics of Kyudo such as Rei (courtesy) and Fuso (non-confrontation) requires one to always stay calm and not lose their composure. In these modern times, it is natural for one to seek sophistication, introspection, peace and equality. Kyudo does not promote strife, hostility or vengeance. The crucial idea of Kyudo is to associate, bond and be at peace with others while maintaining serenity at all times. This discipline is the basis of Kyudo. Nowadays, the decline in moral standards is often considered a current dilemma. The ethics of Kyudo could be a key to overcoming this problem.
BI（Beauty）
Beauty is usually appreciated as something visually pleasant. However; in Kyudo, beauty lies in Shin and Zen. The Sharei (ceremonial shooting) is one way of expressing this concept. The Japanese yumi is exquisitely beautiful in its shape, but what really stimulates the sense of beauty is the dignity, the Shintai Shusen (harmony in all movements) and the rhythmical movement created by a calm state of mind. This aspect is original to the Japanese way of the bow. The German philosopher, Eugen Herrigel said "The English long bow is drawn with the strengths of the arms from shoulder height, but since the Japanese bow is raised high and drawn downwards it is only necessary to use enough strength to open the arms apart." The beauty of Kyudo is this force-free style of shooting.
Shin Zen Bi are the three fundamental ethics of Kyudo; a guideline for present-day and future Kyudo practitioners. Kyudo is no longer just a martial art. For Kyudo to continue on for many generations, it must keep its appeal to the modern world not to be lost and forgotten.
