Dojo

The normal practice routine covers the whole time from arriving to leaving the dojo. The two principles of ‘consideration’ and ‘courtesy’ must be upheld. Your early arrival at the dojo is appreciated. Do not enter the dojo in street shoes. When entering, bow slightly towards the kamiza (上座 raised seat). Then greet those present.

First, all the work for the dojo is done together: the floor is cleaned, the targets are set up, the group material is prepared, the class yumi is stretched, etc.

Then you stretch your own yumi. You unpack the yumi, roll up the yumimaki (弓巻き cover), stretch the yumi and check its condition and shape. Then prepare the ya and the kake. Then change your clothes. Store your street clothes carefully, in Japan they are folded up and stored in a furoshiki (風呂敷 cloth). Don't forget to take off your wristwatch and ear jewellery (risk of injury).

Everything happens in concentrated serenity, everything is part of the practice. This approach develops a strong concentration that enables intensive kyudo practice. If you are mindful, you will not turn your yumi upside down, do work with your kake on or use other people's equipment, etc.

Before opening and closing the kyudo practice as well as for zazen (座禅 sitting), remove all equipment necessary for shooting (yugake, tsuru tsubari kawa, tsurumaki). Yugake and tsuru tsubari kawa are put on and taken off while seated (exception: if the floor could soil the clothes, e.g. outdoors).

During zazen and when opening the ‘Rei’ 礼 class, you bow deeply to the kamiza. In contrast, you only bow slightly to the makiwara (巻藁 or mato 的 target) or other kyudojin (弓道人 practitioners). Bowing is always done with a straight back from the hips. They are a gesture of mutual respect.

Before the first and after the last shot of a practice phase, bow to the makiwara. When changing in front of the makiwara, the shooters bow to each other.

Avoid speaking loudly during practice. Do not push yourself forward - but still be firm. Give a beginner the right of way once in a while. Hand over yumi, ya or other objects in such a way that they can be grasped immediately in the usual way.

Observe the safety rules. Ya and Yumi are weapons and can have fatal consequences if handled carelessly. When practising makiwara: If the person behind you has not yet made the torikake (取懸け tendon grip), you may go to the makiwara and get your ya. The person behind you waits until you are back in your seat. If the person behind you has already done the torikake, it is up to you to wait until the ya has been shot. For long range shooting: The yatori (矢取り arrow holder) makes his presence felt by clapping twice. All shooters interrupt the practice until the yatori gives the signal to continue (e.g. with dozo どうぞ please). As the arrow puller, you pull off your kake.

After the shooting practice, the private material is put away first and then the group material. Then you change your clothes. Fold your kyudo clothes carefully and protect them and the other kyudo equipment from too much heat and sunlight, dirt and moisture. Keep your kyudo items clean.

If you are unsure, ask the shihan (師範 person with the most practical experience) or the practice leader.

In Kyudo practice, we use Yumi (bow) and Ya (arrow), which can cause great damage and injury if handled improperly. It is therefore important that all practitioners know the safety rules.

Even though the responsibility for safety lies with the person in charge, all practitioners are required to pay attention to safety and to interrupt their practice immediately in critical situations and warn everyone else.

General safety rules

• The joint practice in the dojo or outdoors takes place under the supervision of a leading person.
• A first aid kit must be available at the shooting range and the leader must have quick access to an (emergency) telephone.
• Visitors may only enter the shooting range under supervision or with authorisation.
• It must be ensured that unauthorised persons cannot reach the side boundaries of the practice field or behind the target. Any hall doors must be kept closed.
• The shooting area, especially at the Hitote practice area, must be clearly marked and secured.
• The placement of the yatori (arrow holder) on the left edge of the shooting area is determined by the person responsible for the practice and must be at a safe distance from the position of the mato (azuchi).
• It is important that the kyudo equipment corresponds to the body size of the kyudojin and is in perfect condition in order to avoid injuries and accidents.
• The kyudojin shoot at a makiwara that corresponds to their body size.
  Every time the bow is drawn with the arrow nocked, it must be pointed in the direction of the makiwara or mato.

Retrieving arrows during makiwara practice

• If the person to the left of the kyudojin has not yet performed the torikake (tendon grip), the kyudojin can go to the makiwara to fetch the arrow; the person to the left must wait until the archer fetching the arrow is back in his or her place.
• If the person on the left has already made the torikake, it is up to the kyudojin (right) to wait until the person on the left has shot and completed their zanshin.
• If a kyudojin disregards this rule and still goes to the makiwara, even though the person on the left has already made the torikake or is still in the process of doing so, they must immediately stop their process.

Fetching arrows during hitote practice

• The yatori may not retrieve arrows without a request from the person responsible for the platform.
• The person responsible for the platform gives the yatori the signal to fetch arrows: Two blows with sticks or the call ‘Yatori onegaishimasu’. The yatori confirms the request with a blow with the sticks or with the call ‘Yatori’.
• If arrows are lying across, the yatori draws the attention of the person responsible for the platform by calling ‘Yatori’. The yatori may only go to fetch the arrows after the platform manager has given the signal (two strokes, call).
• While the yatori is in the mato area, the practising kyudojin interrupt their routine. If one or more kyudojin are already in torikake or further, they must interrupt the procedure and return to the ashibumi position. The arrow must be knocked out.
• The practitioners may only continue with the hitote practice after the yatori has collected the arrows, left the mato area and released the shooting with the call ‘Dozo’ (please).
• During synchronised practice, the kyudojin at the front ensures that he/she only begins or continues the coordination when the shooting area is clear; all other kyudojin follow him/her. During individual practice, each kyudojin pays attention to the free field of fire.

(formulated by Koko Kyudo Bern, practised in all Chikurin-ha dojos)