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The history of the Kyudo school "Heki ryu Bishu Chikurin ha" starts around the year 1600. The name refers on the one hand to Heki Yazaemon Noritsugu and therefore to the tradition of Heki on the other hand to the true founder of the school, the monk Chikurinbo Josei. (see: Chikurinbo Josei)

Originally Heki ryu Bishu Chikurin ha was native in the area of Nagoya, whereon the name part “Bishu” refers to.

Kyudo has envolved partly from a military discipline which was used in wartime and partly from a strictly formalized ceremonial archery which was practiced already in the time of Konfuzius in China. Still until today there exist many style elements – particularly in the school Chikurin ha – which refer directly to the ancient combat situation.

The foundation of the Kyudo practice are the seven coordinations which exist since the very beginning of the school. They define the whole shooting process. The student strives for perfection to perform them as precisely as possible.

The point is not to reach an identical form of all students, in limits they are allowed to show their individual character and this is even desirable.

Chikurin ha is not member of the International Kyudo Federation (IKYF) because it has no system of degrees, there are no exams to attain a Dan. Advanced students support the beginners on their way.

The Dojos in Europe are structured in the umbrella organization OKO. Sitting meditation is practiced in many Dojos additionally to Kyudo.

More than 20 Dojos exist in Europe, namely in Germany, France, Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, Spain and Czech republic. Additional Dojos exist in US and in Canada. In Japan Chikurin ha is only rarely represented.

The bowmaker family Shibata practices this Kyudo tradition since 21 generations. Current head is Shibata Kanjuro XXI, Sensei (see: Shibata Kanjuro XXI, Sensei)