...arrows of outrageous fortune

As some of you might know, even before coming to Japan I've been practising kyudo for three years . Japan being home of kyudo, I was thrilled when I was given a chance to practise with local teacher. For some reason the kyudo-club of the medical campus didn't accept me, and since the univeristy club dojo is far away from my lab, I now practise kyudo in girls high school dojo. This is possible becase my kind teacher, Sato-sensei asked a permission for me to practise here with the students, as he frequents this dojo himself. The kids are quiet and uneasy around me, but I can't really blaim them for that. The usual athmosphere of practise is silent and serene though.


The said dojo is quit humble, and as all the archery dojos in Japan, an open air place. Nowdays the temperature at night is around 5-10 C so it's not actually that cold. When one practises, the body stays mostly warm... excluding index finger of left hand which is not doing anything.

The makiwara at the dojo is actual makiwara, see below

In the image you can also see my bow I bought when I got here (if anyone from Hikari is reading this, the bow is 11 kilo renshin). I spend most of time in front of these straw piles when I practise. This is partially because I don't want to disturb the students who are shooting at the mato, but also because my teacher told me to that makiwara practise would do good for me.

Practising with someone that experienced is very, very intresting. My shooting form has been almost completely re-shaped, and we have discussed everything from breathing to neck muscle usage. Nonetheless, whether I am in Japan or in Finland, when I'm shooting I feel relaxed and comfortable. Guess that's why I keep doing this rather challenging sport.