Kyudo

Kyudo - “way of the bow” - in its most pure form is practiced as an art and as a means of moral and spiritual development. It is not dependent on age or sex.


Originally, the traditional Japanese “art of the bow,” (Kyujutsu) was a discipline of the samurai, the Japanese warrior class. As the bow lost its significance as a weapon of war, and under the influence of Buddhism, Shinto, Daoism and Confucianism, Japanese archery evolved into Kyudo, the “Way of the Bow.” In some schools Kyudo is practiced as a highly refined contemplative practice, while in other schools it is practiced as a modern day sport.

The yumi (Japanese bow) is exceptionally tall (standing over two meters), surpassing the height of the archer (kyudoka). Yumi are traditionally made of bamboo, wood and leathe.
All kyudo archers hold the bow in their left hand and draw the string with their right, so that all archers face the higher position (kamiza) while shooting.
Unlike occidental archers (who, with some exceptions, draw the bow never further than the cheek bone), kyûdô archers draw the bow so that the drawing hand is held behind the ear. If done improperly, upon release the string may strike the archers ear or side of the face.

Source: Wikipedia