Instructors Training, Barnet VT Photo by Marie-Antoinette Crivelli

Kyudo  Meditation Archery  at Miyako Kyudojo  of  Washington, DC

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What Is Kyudo?

Kyudo is traditional Japanese archery -- the "zen art of archery." In this case, however, "zen" doesn't mean the Zen school of Buddhism, but rather "meditation." For hundreds of years in Japan, Kyudo has been considered the highest form of samurai training. Deeply rooted in a warrior tradition based on principles of harmony, dignity, and genuineness, Kyudo is not a sport. At Miyako Kyudojo, it's "standing meditation."

Starting with the precision of the movements, working with the body's energy in the draw, and peaking with the power of the arrow's release, a process unfolds: Hesitation, fear, and other conflicting emotions subside, allowing serenity and strength to co-exist. The practitioner has the opportunity to see his or her mind, pure and spacious. This experience then continues into everyday life. To practice Kyudo in this way, one must have a good teacher -- a master.

Who is our teacher? Kanjuro Shibata XXI

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, 20th, and 21st Shibata lineage holders have continued to make bows for dignitaries, official functions and for the practice of Kyudo. The 20th Kanjuro Shibata was recognized as a "National Living Treasure of Japan." You can read more about the Shibata lineage here. In 1980 the 20th Kanjuro Shibata (1921-2013) established his first kyudojo 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. They were aided by Sensei's long-time student, Zen master Kobun Chino, Roshi (1938-2002). Now, since October 2013, the 21st Kanjuro Shibata continues in the leadership of Zenko International, and of this style of Kyudo, the Bishu Chikurin-ha branch of the Heki-ryu school. Since 1980 Zenko has expanded to over 30 locations in North America and Europe. For more practice locations, see the Zenko International site. For more about lineage, see the Boulder, CO site.

Some quotes from Kanjuro Shibata XX: Kyudo is meditation. The main point of kyudo practice is to polish your heart, deeply. Trying to master hitting the target is the way of desire. Not helpful. That’s a road for people who want to defeat their perceived enemies. 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. Busily running around in little circles, this is not kyudo. Come to a stop. Enter a big circle. [i.e., Wa, harmony, is not a little circle. It is] Mushin, empty heart. This is kyudo. This is high quality practice. 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

Kanjuro Shibata XX Photo ©Martine Bouman, Barako KyudojoNetherlands

Open Your Heart With Kyudo!

The practice of Kyudo is deceptively simple. Beginners can receive instruction in the basic form in three or four 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:

We have three videos:

• The first one is "Master Archer," produced by National Geographic in 1987, of our root sensei, Kanjuro Shibata XX (1921 - 2013).
• The second video is one made 22 years later, of Sensei XX in 2009 at Dechen Chöling, the Shambhala land center in France. (This second video is on Facebook, so you'll probably have to log in after clicking the link.)
• The third one is of Sensei XXI at Dechen Choling in 2020. It's on YouTube, so you won't have to log in.

In any case, we recommend you watch the "Master Archer" video first (it's only 11 minutes on YouTube), and after that, the 18-minute 2009 video on Facebook or/and the 2020 one on YouTube.

And here are three articles:

• Miyako  Kyudojo 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 taught Kyudo there 2006 - 2015.)
• People who are students of Shambhala Buddhism might find interesting this article written by Carolyn Kanjuro (1966-2020), the wife of Sensei XX: Kyudo Is Not a Shambhala Art, in the Shambhala Times Community Magazine, May 9, 2012.
   

--As always, stay tuned to the hourly weather. Here's our weather policy.

Intermediate/Advanced Kyudo Intensive led by Shibata Kanjuro XXI Sensei June 19 - 22, 2025 Open to everyone who has taken their "First Shot." at Byakko Kyudojo Boston, MA Check here for more info and registration.

Beginners' Kyudo Program led by Lucy Halverson June 27-29, 2025 If you have already begun practicing kyudo, consider registering for the Intermediate level with Kyudo master Kanjuro Shibata XXI, which happens the weekend before the beginners’ retreat in Boston. at Karmê Chöling Shambhala Meditation Center 369 Patneaude Lane Barnet, VT 05821 Check here for more info and registration.

Women's Kyudo Retreat with Lucy Halverson July 3-6, 2025 Open to all women, including cis and trans, who have taken first shot. Class equipment is available. at Karmê Chöling Shambhala Meditation Center 369 Patneaude Lane Barnet, VT 05821 Check here for more info and registration.

Intermediate/Advanced Kyudo Intensive led by Don Symanski Aug 12-17, 2025 Open to everyone who has taken their "First Shot." at Zen Mountain Monastery 871 Plank Rd PO Box 197 Mount Tremper, NY 12457 Check here for more info -- Note: the ZMM page loads slowly. It uses a red bar graph to show progress while it loads. Once it's done loading, it may still take a couple minutes to show you the contents. You may even have to try it at another time. -- Or go to zmm.org and scroll through Retreats which are listed by date.

Beginners' Kyudo Program led by Don Symanski August 13-17, 2025 If you have already begun practicing kyudo, consider registering for the Intermediate level which starts a day before the beginners’ retreat. at Zen Mountain Monastery 871 Plank Rd PO Box 197 Mount Tremper, NY 12457 Check here for more info -- Note: the ZMM page loads slowly. It uses a red bar graph to show progress while it loads. Once it's done loading, it may still take a couple minutes to show you the contents. You may even have to try it at another time. -- Or go to zmm.org and scroll through Retreats which are listed by date.

Intermediate/Advanced Kyudo Intensive led by Shibata Kanjuro XXI Sensei September 24-28, 2025 Open to those who have taken their "First Shot." (Limited to 35 students) at Bodhi Manda Zen Center 1 Bodhi Dr PO Box 8 Jemez Springs, NM 87025 Details and Registration

Solo Kyudo Retreats Here is a unique opportunity to deepen your personal practice on your schedule by creating your own self-guided kyudo retreat at Karmê Chöling . Ideal for intermediate or advanced kyudo practitioners with an established ongoing kyudo practice. Click here for Details and Instructions for Scheduling

For other possible events, see Zenko International. For European events, see the Oko Kyudojo site. -- And then check the websites at the event locations for the latest information. Schedules are subject to change. Check with host location before making travel plans.

Past Programs in 2024 (to show what might happen in the future)

Intermediate/Advanced Kyudo Intensive led by Don Symanski May 1-5, 2024 Open to everyone who has taken their "First Shot." at the Garrison Institute Garrison, NY 10524 Click here for Details For carpool info, check with Vivi Spicer

Beginners, and Intermediate/Advanced Kyudo Intensive led by Sam West, 'Somo' of Kozan Kyudojo in Halifax, NS September 5-8, 2024 at Dorje Denma Ling 2280 Balmoral Rd, The Falls, NS B0K 1V0, Canada Check here for more info and registration.

Questions?  Talk to Vivi Spicer (h) 301-588-8396

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