Yumi

**mystic_kendoka** · 3rd August 2004, 07:43 PM

i'm looking to buy a yumi and basic kyudo set from an online budo shop...
anybody know a site that sells it for a fair price and ships to europe cheaply?

**don quixote** · 3rd August 2004, 09:50 PM

http://tozando.com/eng/kyudo/y10.html is the only place I can think of right now... probably good enough for a beginner anyway, but you shouldn't need your own bow if you are just starting.
There are probably several other sites, I don't know how Tonzando compares pricewise... hope someone else knows more!

**nysamurai** · 4th August 2004, 01:07 AM

A view from New York -

As suggested earlier by "Don Quixote", you should not have to purchase equipment right away. And because this is a rather expensive art to be involved in, I would strongly suggest that you don't rush to buy equipment. Most Kyudo dojo's will have "dojo equipment" which you can use during class.

Secondly, your requests for "fair prices" and "cheap shipping to Europe" are all relative, of course. I have yet to discover inexpensive Kyudo equipment ANYWHERE. Even the more recent developments in composite and carbon-fiber yumi will still cost you several hundred US dollars, and can range upwards of several thousand dollars for hand made bamboo yumi crafted in Japan.

Along with Tozando, who is an excellent resource, you may also wish to contact Asahi, a well know manufacturer of Kyudo equipment. Additionally, if you are a member of a club, ask your sensei for help and direction. lastly, I would direct you to the Zenko Internatioanl web-site which can provide you with lots of information as well as links to suppliers, dojo locations, etc., etc.

Good luck.

**mystic_kendoka** · 4th August 2004, 01:21 AM

there are only 3 dojos in my country and all of them are too far..

so actually im not doing kyudo as such, i'll just be shooting japanese arrows with a japanese bow...

first i thought of european archery which would be easy to find classes for.. but the japanese yumi looks 500000000 times better...

**nysamurai** · 4th August 2004, 02:13 AM

Ahhhhhh. I understand. Access to qualified kyudo instructors is difficult, even here in the U.S., though we have greater access. But even here in NY, dojo and qualified instructors are not exactly falling off of trees!

However, be aware that with your problem of lack of qualified instruction, this may be even stronger reason not to purchase equipment. Mis-used or abused equipment, no matter how unintentional it may be, can be very expensive, AND very dangerous.

Try www.kyudo.com and Oko Kyudokai (a Eurpoean connection to Zenko) for more help. Good luck to you.

**litige** · 4th August 2004, 06:20 AM

Originally Posted by mystic_kendoka

there are only 3 dojos in my country and all of them are too far..

so actually im not doing kyudo as such, i'll just be shooting japanese arrows with a japanese bow...

first i thought of european archery which would be easy to find classes for.. but the japanese yumi looks 500000000 times better...

Try making your own bow. Maybe not a yumi, but a one piece bow. There's a lots of website on how to do it. It's maybe not as beautiful as a yumi, but it's gonna be your very own bow you builded with your very own hands... Plus you can make it really strong so you could go hunt with it. After a while and some bows, maybe you'll be able to do a Yumi. You are still pretty young, If you start now, you'll be very good after a while. Great hobby to get involed in.

**litige** · 4th August 2004, 06:35 AM

http://www.kyudo.com/asahiam-yumi.html

http://www.kyudo.com/akr.html

**nodachi** · 4th August 2004, 06:36 AM

I wouldn't get the bow to just fire it for the hell of it. The reason why I say this is because you hold a Japanese bow and use it differently. For example, you fire a Japanese bow with the arrow on the outside of the bow, where as a "normal" bow (for lack of a better word) has the arrow on the inside (side closer to your body). You draw the "normal" short bow straight back. You have to lift a JApanese bow up and then pull your arms apart as you bring the bow back down. There are other differences like these examples that will either result in you hurting yourself/someone else or even breaking the bow you spend so much money on and then have to repair it. Get instruction before you randomly use it or it will cost you (physically and monetarily).

**mystic_kendoka** · 4th August 2004, 06:37 AM

do you know any of these websites that teach how to make a bow?

**mystic_kendoka** · 4th August 2004, 06:41 AM

I wouldn't get the bow to just fire it for the hell of it. The reason why I say this is because you hold a Japanese bow and use it differently. For example, you fire a Japanese bow with the arrow on the outside of the bow, where as a "normal" bow (for lack of a better word) has the arrow on the inside (side closer to your body). You draw the "normal" short bow straight back. You have to lift a JApanese bow up and then pull your arms apart as you bring the bow back down. There are other differences like these examples that will either result in you hurting yourself/someone else or even breaking the bow you spend so much money on and then have to repair it. Get instruction before you randomly use it or it will cost you (physically and monetarily).

i am aware of the differences and this is why i would rather have a japanese bow than a european bow.. i've read 2 detailed books on it plus R A Sosnowski's article on it... i think i know more than you think i do...

**litige** · 4th August 2004, 06:58 AM

Originally Posted by mystic_kendoka

do you know any of these websites that teach how to make a bow?

http://www.compulink.co.uk/~courtney...gi/longbow.htm

http://www.jasondejong.ca/Archery/La...ing_Tools.html

http://www.thebeckoning.com/medieval...w/longbow.html

http://www.solartracker.com/archery/ (very nice site)

**not-I** · 4th August 2004, 07:16 AM

Originally Posted by mystic_kendoka

... i think i know more than you think i do...

FAQ: "Can I learn kendo on my own?" "No! You will only develop bad habits if you aren't under the supervision of an experienced kendoka."

Why should kyudo be any different?

Litige, i hope you were joking. From what i've heard, some kyudo dojo require you to swear an oath that you won't use your archery skills to kill or harm animals. And many countries have laws against that too.

**mystic_kendoka** · 4th August 2004, 07:23 AM

FAQ: "Can I learn kendo on my own?" "No! You will only develop bad habits if you aren't under the supervision of an experienced kendoka."

Why should kyudo be any different?

im not seeking to learn kyudo!

like i said

so actually im not doing kyudo as such, i'll just be shooting japanese arrows with a japanese bow...

i think kyudo is easier than kendo, of course it is impossible to do it properly on ur own, (when ur a newbie that is) kendo requires bogu, a motodachi or geiko partner etc. kyudo is easier to do on ur own, and wat is easier is tht im not seeking to do kyudo as such...

From what i've heard, some kyudo dojo require you to swear an oath that you won't use your archery skills to kill or harm animals.

are humans included into this category?

**don quixote** · 4th August 2004, 07:32 AM

There is no way in the world that kyudo is easier than kendo, and the skills you need in order to shoot with a japanese bow are impossible to manage without instruction from a kyudo sensei. There is really no point in 'shooting japanese arrows with a japanese bow' if you are going to do it in a way that completely disregards the proper, traditional and effective method of shooting with said arrows and bow.