| The world "Kyudo" derives from the Japanese | | | | "The Truth" in archery in Japan consists of taking |
| meaning of "The way of the Bow". Archery is a | | | | aim of what is considered to be justified and |
| sport that is considered one of the most natural | | | | natural. There are three things that made up the |
| of sports. Many many years ago in Japan archery | | | | harmony one experiences when participating in |
| was more of a way to wage war and hunt as | | | | Kyudo. They are movement, attitude, and |
| well as competitive reasons. It was both a daily | | | | technique. Getting into a somewhat philosophical |
| necessity and a hobby. Back in ancient times, the | | | | point of view, in Japan, when you shoot for the |
| warrior who practiced archery practiced what | | | | right thing, you are shooting not at the center of |
| was referred to as "Kyujutsu". Some of the | | | | the target, but what is already there. |
| same ancient traditions and ways of archery that | | | | The beauty is considered to exist within the bow |
| existed in Japan all those years ago don't really | | | | itself and also within the archer him/herself, all |
| have a place in society today, yet some of the | | | | part of the tradition of Kyudo. The Japanese |
| traditions taught by some still live on, although not | | | | archers believe that beauty is the life-force that |
| nearly on as large of a scale as back then. Those | | | | gives birth to the spirit and therefore ultimately |
| who practice Kyudo today do so for mental and | | | | the meaning of life itself. |
| physical reasons, to achieve a higher level of being | | | | "The Good" is basically all the aspects of what is |
| and personal enjoyment. | | | | right in the human body and spirit, including |
| Although no one can say for sure when the | | | | kindness, politeness, and harmony. All of these |
| phrase "kyudo" began being used, by the time of | | | | things (the goodness) comes into being by the |
| the 19th century it had become widely accepted | | | | archer always doing the right thing under all |
| because of the popularity and recognition it had | | | | circumstances. Advanced kyudo archers are |
| gained. The three things that modern archers in | | | | considered to be those who have grace and keep |
| Japan strive for are truth, beauty, and what is | | | | their calm through anxiety and problems. |
| called "The Good". | | | | |