The art of Japanese archery in Europe
Zen and the martial arts have the same ‘flavour’ and are one and the same. In Zen and the martial arts, great importance is attached to practical practice.
People often ask: “How long do I have to practise?” and the answer is: “‘“Until you die!“
The interlocutors are usually not too happy with this. Europeans want to learn quickly, some even in a single day if possible. “I was there once”, they say, “and now I understand”. But the dojo is different from a university. In budo, in kyudo, you have to keep practising until you die.
Chikurin ha is based on the oral tradition (Kuden 口伝) – direct learning with Sensei and his long-standing students is indispensable. Only practice teaches Kyudo.
Nevertheless, this page provides background information on the history and practice of chikurin ha – so that it can be taught, learnt, understood and grown in practice.