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Learn the meditative art of Kyuudo archery with master Tanaka using over-sized bows.
2 hour Group Experience – you’ll be training with local students
Location: Tokyo, Suginami
Hosted by Japanese Sensei Tanaka with a friendly Deeper Japan interpreter guide in your language.
Meet the master
Tanaka Sensei first got into Kyudo in highschool, initially drawn to the warrior appeal of the sport. However, he quickly realised Kyuudo is just as mental tradition as it is physical.
With 30 years of experience under his belt, he’s the lead teacher at the Suginami Dojo and has trained many award-winning Kyuudo athletes.
What you’ll do
Change into “hakama” (traditional martial arts uniform) and learn about the basics and history of kyudou.
Then try your hand at target practice (short distance and long distance) with the traditional Japanese bow and arrow
Top things off with a photo session
Availability
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday
Session 1 (11:00 - 13:00)
Session 2 (14:00 - 16:00)
Wednesday
Session 3 (13:00 - 15:00)
Access
45 minutes from Tokyo Station.
What to wear
Clothing and close-toed shoes you wouldn’t mind getting dirty or potentially affected by spark burns. We recommend clothes that cover your arms and legs (See Things to Note below).
Who can attend
Children must be 13+
Participants must be taller than 155cm.
About Kyudou
Kyudou (弓道), Japanese archery, translates to “the way of the bow” and has two main pieces of equipment: the yumi (弓), a tall, asymmetrical bow; and the ya (矢), an arrow measuring about 1 meter, made from bamboo and eagle or hawk feather. The origins date all the way to prehistoric times (c. 500 BC- 300 AD), indicated by images drawn during this time.
Kyudou was traditionally taught in schools and was a mandatory part of samurai education that became an important martial art in war. Upon the arrival of Europeans and their weapons, kyudou diminished in its importance, as comparatively it was a less effective form of attack. However, it was still valued as a ceremonial skill, representative of the samurai ethic.
Today, kyudou still follows a strict set of disciplines and has a strong focus on spiritual training. Even today, kyudou is included in school curriculums and is widely practiced in martial art classes.
Customer Reviews
“The experience was amazing! The interpreter was super nice and good.
Your service during the booking, the tour and the follow up has been outstanding. ”
— M.C, United States
“We had a wonderful time yesterday at the Katana experience! It was excellent from a cultural and materials science point of view, and we got to see some of the countryside on the way and how they trellis pear trees... We learned so much from Sensei, he has really planned the experience well to show every step of his work.”
— J.O, Canada