Kyudo Archery Bow

What you’ll do

Visit the archery bow studio led by a 20th & 21st-generation father-son artisan duo. Observe the intricate process of how bamboo bows are forged. See a range of finished products in the shop and test the bow with your own strength.

Who can attend

Children must be 10+

Availability

Everyday

Session 1 (13:00 - 14:30)
Session 2 (15:00 - 16:30)

Access

10 minutes by car from Kyoto Station

True Spirit, Carved & Strung

Curved wooden body gripped firmly between the palm, tension pulling string taut, the kyudo archery bow strikes an impressive image. A formidable weight, stretching roughly 2 meters tall, this elegant weapon has garnished ancient battlefields, honed spiritual mentality, and played a key role in Japanese culture for countless centuries. Constructing just a single kyudo bow requires a unique blend of tree species, bonded together in thinly-shaved, ultra-durable layers, to achieve the optimal balance of flexibility and durability, which is then painstakingly shaped into the bow's iconic asymmetrical shape. The choice of materials and impeccable technical precision come together to create a yumi, the name for a Japanese kyudo bow, that stores incredible power and a smacking release. At this central Kyoto bow crafting workshop, tucked into the city's maze of quaint side streets, are a father-son artisan duo who work al fresco, workshop contained within garden walls but left open to the elements. To sustain their craft, their ancestors once crafted the bows beloved by the Imperial family, as well as those infamous among the historic battles of the Warring States period. Now, the bows forged by their hands have graced the grip of countless kyudo practitioners, both domestic and international, inspiring countless to continue on with the art of kyudo. Observe them as they work, learning more about the materials, techniques, and culture of kyudo archery bow crafting, to discover the spirit of strength embedded in each bow.