Customer Reviews

Kyudo: The Essence and Practice of Japanese Archery (Bushido--The Way of the Warrior)

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This is one of the best books out on the art of Kyudo. I am currently in Japan teaching and have taken up the practice of Kyudo as a way to learn about Japanese culture. The book covers all areas of interest and is very detailed with step by step illustrations. My instructor refers to the book often to point out my mistakes and highlight my improvement. If you are learning Kyudo or just want to read about its history and cultural significance, then this book is for you. You will not be disappointed.

As a practising martial artist and western style archer I find this book to be exceptional. Not only can one learn about the history and significance of this art, one can also learn advanced knowledge of the equipment, styles and techniques of kyudo in a very readable form. It has inspired me to take up this martial art and while I learn I find myself continually drawn back to reading it. This book is already a classic and I would strongly urge all martial artists, archers and anyone interested in zen philosophy to read it and read it. Dan & Jackie DeProspero have made some of the secrets of the East available to those of us in the West and I congratulate them for their excellent work which will certainly stand the test of time.

This a great book not only to further understand the spirit of kyudo but to improve one's technique. The foreword is very interesting and will immediately take you to the essence of what kyudo really is. In the afterword, the levels of practice are explained in detailed which will help you understand how the path of kyudo can help you become a more peaceful person.

Going deeply into the essence of kyudo, this book is great for kyudo practitioners and observers alike. In my opinion, Zen and the Art of Archery by Eugene Herrigel is a journal-sketch compared to this masterpiece. I particularly enjoyed reading the conversations between Onuma and Jackie in the few pages of the appendix; I felt like I was listening to the answers of an old sage.

I never plan on giving away this book. Thank you, to all the authors!

I have no understanding or training in Kyudo (I am ranked in Kenjutsu - Japanese swordsmanship), and have purchased this book in order to practice with my new bow, and add a new level to my Budo training.

The wonderful sketches, explanation and pictures are no replacement for a real teacher, but this book is as close as possible to it. Detailed forms of the draw and shot, explanation of common mistakes, graphs of missed shots and what mistake in the correct form they reflect.

I recommend this book the kyudo practitioners, and want-to-be practitioners - A great way to connect yourself to the Japanese way of the bow.

Just remember - the first step is to stop fearing the bow...

This is the first time I have had a chance to read about Kyudo. I was always amazed by it through movies and documentaries, but never had a chance to really learn about it. This book is very informative, I feel like I have a good understanding of the art and can now seek some formal training. Unfortunately, there are no schools that teach this art in my area, so my personal research will be the best I can do for now. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about this art and furthering their knowledge of the martial arts.

I find it very interesting, it gives a deep introduction full of details and information in many aspects of this art. I believe that every Kyudo student should have this book as a essential reading.

This book was great because it gives the reader, the history of the Japanese bow, and how the culture of Bushido arose.

Fun book if you want to not only learn the art of Japaneese long bow, but the history as well.

Wonderfull book, covers both spiritual and technical aspects of kyudo practice. Dialogs with Onuma-sensei are very very valuable for real understanding of what kyudo is stands for, problem solving section helps a lot for technics. Very well done as a book - exceptional quality. A must have book...