Instructors Training, Barnet VT Photo by Marie-Antoinette Crivelli

Kyudo  Meditation Archery  Miyako Iba  of  Washington, DC

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What Is Kyudo?

Kyudo is traditional Japanese archery -- the "zen art of archery." At Miyako Iba, Kyudo is not a sport, but a form of meditation. Starting with the precision of the movements, peaking with the power of the arrow's release, and continuing with everyday life, a process unfolds in which the practitioner has the opportunity to see his or her mind, pure and spacious. To practice Kyudo in this way, one must have a good teacher -- a master.

Who is our teacher?

Kanjuro Shibata, Sensei is such a teacher. Since the early 16th century the Shibata family has maintained an unbroken lineage of master archers and bow makers for the shoguns and warrior families of Japan. In 1877 the 18th Kanjuro Shibata received appointment to the post of official Bow Maker and Archer to the Emperor. Since then, the 19th and 20th Shibata lineage holders have continued to make bows for dignitaries, official functions and for the practice of Kyudo. In 1994, Sensei's son, Nobuhiro Shibata, was recognized as the 21st in the lineage. The 20th Kanjuro Shibata continues as a "Living Treasure of Kyoto," and the head of the Bishu Chikurin-ha branch of the Heki-ryu school of Kyudo.

In 1980 Kanjuro Shibata (XX) established his first dojo in the west, in Boulder, Colorado (USA), at the invitation of the Tibetan meditation master Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche. Together, they founded Zenko International with the vision of propagating a culture of enlightened warriorship. Since then he has expanded to over 30 locations in North America and Europe. For a full list, see the  Zenko International site (for Kyudo in North America) and the Oko Kyudokai site (Kyudo in Europe).

 

“Kyudo is meditation. The main point of kyudo practice is to polish your heart, deeply. When someone hits the target, you can sometimes see happiness. In kyudo, you cut this happiness. That’s merely the enjoyment of ego. Whether you hit the target or not, whether you have a beautiful form or not, this is not the true measure of your practice. In kendo, karate, judo, all these forms of fighting training, victory comes from cutting someone else. Kyudo is completely different. You cut yourself, your own ego. In this way, we can begin to create a peaceful world. We can make a big international WA, a circle of peace the whole world over. That is victory!” -- Kanjuro Shibata XX, Sensei

Open Your Heart With Kyudo!

The practice of Kyudo is deceptively simple. Beginners can receive instruction in the basic form in four or five classes, but the real value of "Mind Kyudo" comes from regular practice. Neither age, sex, nor physical strength have any significance, so anyone can do it. For information about our practice times, where we are, costs, and how to start, read our Frequently Asked Questions.    Come join us!

More Resources:

Click here for Miyako  Iba  in the Washington Post (March 2002)  

Stand-up Sit-down Zen! - an interview from the Lotus Garden Buddhist Retreat Center in Stanley, Virginia, June 2006. (Miyako has been teaching Kyudo there every year since then. Check with Lotus Garden for the next "Shedra" program, usually held in June or July.)
 

Miyako Iba Events Regular Practice and Beginning Instruction                  at  Miyako Iba  of  Washington, DC  area You are encouraged to come observe our practices.                  Every Sunday 11:30-1:30 For "the Field," our usual practice location --Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page, which gives directions and other helpful details. About once a month we also practice in the back yard of one of our members, Vivi Spicer. See below for a schedule of practice locations. You can also get on our email list for announcements as the schedule changes. Contact info for Ken or Vivi is at the bottom of this page. Our practices are always outside. If the weather forecast is borderline, Ken will often go to the site and actually check how it looks. But if you're coming from afar or taking public transportation, etc. -- you'll want to be more conservative than that. Here's our weather policy. Jan - Feb Practice Schedule: Usually we practice every Sunday in the Field with Ken, 11:30 to 1:30 -- weather permitting. One Sunday every month we practice in Vivi Spicer's back yard -- again, weather permitting: Jan 15, 22, 29, and Feb 5 -- -- in the Field with Ken, as usual, weather permitting. If the forecast for the field is borderline, Ken will often just go to the site and check how it looks. But if you're coming from afar or taking public transportation, etc. -- You'll want to be more conservative than that. Feb 12 -- will be at Vivi's Check with Vivi for directions. It's outdoors, so check the weather. Contact info is at the bottom of this page. Feb 19 and 26 -- -- in the Field with Ken again, weather permitting. -- And as always, stay tuned to the hourly Hyattsville weather. Here's our weather policy. Now, for a really good program: 2011 East Coast Events There's no events scheduled yet for 2012, yet. We usually have a couple east-coast events a year, and below is an example of what we do once a year in Vermont. It was quite the event. Stay tuned for further postings. Sept. 23-28, 2011:  Kyudo Master in Residence           at Karme Choling Shambhala Meditation Center           outside Barnet, VT.           Click here for program information. Kanjuro Shibata XX will be presiding during this time for those who wish to deepen their practice and connect more personally with him. Students from all lineages of kyudo are welcome. Note that it is not necessary to register for the entire duration to attend, students may register for a single day of attendance or multiple days. Kanjuro Shibata XX, will be presiding during this time for those who wish to deepen their practice and connect more personally with him. Kyudo practice will be conducted in two sessions each day, morning and afternoon, with Sensei attending at his discretion. Sept 28th is a departure day with no kyudo practice then. There is no formal allocation of time for first shot instruction, but those desiring first shot instruction may attend this program and may request senior kyudo students to give them instruction. Arrangements for this will be made on a case by case basis, depending upon time and instructor availability. Those wishing to receive first shot instruction should plan to attend for no less than two full days. Sitting meditation practice and instruction will also be offered each morning to augment the standing meditation of kyudo.           Click here for program information. For all kinds of miscellaneous info, like weather, refunds, deposits, etc., try the Karme Choling FAQ page. Their phone number is 802-633-2384 For non-East Coast events, and Sensei's teaching schedule, see Zenko.org For the events that might interest you, check the event websites for the latest information. Schedules subject to change.      Check with host location before making travel plans.

 For information about programs in other regions of the United States, Canada and Europe please visit the  Zenko International site (for Kyudo in North America) and the Oko Kyudokai site (Kyudo in Europe). You might also want to check the calendars at individual Kyudo practice groups ("ibas"). For a list of ibas, check: European Dojos, and North American Dojos.

Questions?  Talk to Ken Rawie (301) 649-4990 or Vivi Spicer (301) 588-8396 .