One Arrow, One Life: Zen, Archery, Enlightenment [Paperback]

Kenneth Kushner (Author), Jackson Morisawa (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2000

One Arrow, One Life is the ultimate study of kyudo (the art of traditional Japanese archery) and its relation to the ideals and practice of Zen Buddhism. But it's much more: It also serves perfectly as an informal manual of practice for anyone who wants to bring a living, moving Zen into the activities of everyday life. Beginning with a solid introduction to the foundation techniques of both kyudo and zazen-breathing, posture, and concentration-and quickly moving on to the subtleties of advanced practice, Ken Kushner then ties it all together into a personal testimony of the pervasiveness of Zen in everyday life. For those interested in Zen and moving meditation, kyudo practitioners of all levels, as well as students of the Way of martial arts, this volume, beautifully illustrated with line drawings by Jackson Morisawa, is an indispensable guidebook.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Kenneth Kushner began Zen training under Tanouye Tenshin Roshi in 1978. He began serious kyudo training in 1981 and has traveled to Hawaii and Japan for advanced study. He is currently a professor at the University of Wisconsin in Madison and a member of the faculty of the Institute of Zen Studies in Honolulu.

In the late 1970's, Jackson Morisawa started training in Kyudo on the advice of Tanouye Rotaishi. In 1988, Jackson Morisawa was given the title Kyoshi ( Teaching Master) by the Institute of Zen Studies. In 1996, he was awarded the title Shihan (Master of the Way).

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Tuttle Publishing (August 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0804832463
• ISBN-13: 978-0804832465
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #440,745 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #50 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Individual Sports > Archery

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The arrow may not hit, but it does not miss, September 17, 2001

By 

Dave English (Arizona, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: One Arrow, One Life: Zen, Archery, Enlightenment (Paperback)

The traditional Japanese school of archery -- Kyudo -- is more than a technique to have an arrow hit a distant target. As one of the classic Ways, like flower arranging or kendo, it is an exploration into oneself. The author, now a Zen teacher and university professor, is not some a kid talking about how a day of Zen turned him into a Judo machine; rather this is a well thought-out, well-written journey of both Zen philosophy and martial arts practice. We follow Kenneth to Japan where he sits cleans the dojo, sits in zazen meditation, and becomes expert in Kyudo.

One of the first books to introduce a Way of Zen to the West was 'Zen in the Art of Archery.' Now `One Arrow, One Life' references Herrigal's classic, while providing a fresh expression of learning an ancient physcal skill, making them perfect accompaniments. The author has a deeper understanding of the history and methods of Zen, and clearly explains how they mate with a big bow, and how to carry the lessons on to your whole life. This book would be super for someone new to Zen, as well as someone who wants to revisit Herrigal. A lot of ideas that people talk about were put into place in my mind, then to my body and soul, thanks to this book.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Observations, March 9, 2004

By 

Swing King (Cincinnati, OH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: One Arrow, One Life: Zen, Archery, Enlightenment (Paperback)

Ken Kushner is a professor at the University of Wisconsin's School of medicine who has been practicing Zen Buddhism since 1978. In 1981 he began learning the art of kyudo, or Japanese archery. The main thrust of this book is showing us the "oneness" of life in archery and life in zazen. The point is not to promote archery as the ultimate path towards liberation, but rather, to demonstrate how any task we do can become a spiritual practice with the right attitude. Yet he does use many analogies by means of archery to make points about life in general.

In kyudo, it is said that it can take up to 30 years to master the art, so indubitably the way of archery requires a lot of practice. It's a lot like Zen, it takes practice which really doesn't end. To enhance his abilities concerning archery, Kushner realized zazen meditation was the driving force behind it all; for in zazen we face the difficulties of our lives, and with dogged determination they diminish. Zazen is all about attaining a one pointed mind, which of course is never without us, enabling ourselves to take on each task as though it is our one and only task. No future, no past, and not even a present. Only "this."

The title says it all. Everything is included in this life, there is no real dualism or separation. Every arrow which is flung is it, no going back. That's life. You must believe in your shot 100%. This book truly is a must have for all practitioners of Zen for it's contributions to our philosophy and way of life. Enjoy!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars My number two pick, July 27, 2007

By 

Alexander J. Kaznica "Engineer and student of... (Newark, DE USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: One Arrow, One Life: Zen, Archery, Enlightenment (Paperback)

I need to make this point clear: If you are looking for a technical manual on Kyudo to teach yourself how to do it, your wasting your time. You will never find a Kyudo book with information detailing all the little nuances, tricks, short-cuts, or even how to release the Ya (arrow). Why? Because Kyudo is a journey and figuring it out of yourself is part of that journey. You do this by first mastering yourself, then you can go on to mastering the bow. The best books on doing this are not technical manuals, but the personal narratives of Kyudo masters. You learn a lot more by learning of their journeys, trials, and tribulations through Kyudo. Through this you can make distinctions between your questions, the questions they had, and how they inevitably achieved those solutions, but for your questions, the answers lye only within yourself. This is the only way you will 'really' understand what it means when someone says, "The arrow exists in the target before it is shot."
As for personal narratives by Kyudo masters, this is one of the best.