Sports Japan - 2012/11/11

Nov. 11, Sun.

Kyudo, Japanese archery
[Focus]
1. The World of Japanese Archery
Among many kinds of archery bows, the Japanese Kyudo bow is distinguished from others by its extraordinary length. The length of the Kyudo bow depends on the height of the archer, but the standard size is as long as 2m 21cm, compared with around 1m 60cm for the Western longbow. The competition format is different, too, because rankings are determined by an overall score in which form and manner count but not closeness to the center of the target. This method reflects a very Japanese historical tradition that the bow is regarded not merely as a weapon but more as a divine tool for overpowering magical forces. The Japanese bows were developed using readily available woods and bamboos with good elastic strength, and some especially famous bows are much admired for their beauty and competitive strength. The Higo Saburo is one of them. Its arrows will fly wildly if your posture is even slightly off-balanced but the top archers love this bow for the powerful reaction. It was made b y Shigemasa Matsunaga, a master bow maker with 60 years experience in the craft. We also introduce bow making, performed late at night for perfect concentration using bamboo, adhesive made from simmered deerskin, etc., as a part of Kyudo's allure.
2. Kyudo as an Art for Mental Training
Kyudo is sometimes called Ritsu-Zen, meditation in the standing position, compared to usual Zazen, seated meditation. This is because it demands Zen-like concentration and rejection of desires. Many foreigners have been fascinated by this very Japanese mentality in Kyudo, including the German philosopher Eugen Herrigel, who studied both Kyudo and Zen after coming to Japan in 1924. D.T. Suzuki was his teacher in Zen; Kenzo Awa, the famed archer who hit the target twice even on a pitch-black night, his teacher in Kyudo. After five years of study, Herrigel compiled his findings in a book called Zen in the Art of Archery. He wrote of how the archer and target become as one. The goal is to identify so closely with the target that you strike it without aiming. This same spirit still imbues Kyudo today and less than 1% of those who are tested for 8-dan, the highest rank, can display the skill and mentality to satisfy the most rigorous standard. British archer Liam O'Brien was the fi rst foreigner to reach 7-dan and tries for 8-dan rank for the third time now. We see the deep world of Kyudo through his trial.
[Frontrunners]
Rina Akiyama - Visually Impaired Women's 100m Backstroke Swimmer
Completely blind swimmer Rina Akiyama won her longed-for 100m backstroke gold medal at the Paralympics. She has already set two new world records and we analyze the keys to her success, including both her unrivalled rocket start and the agile underwater turns. She says that from a young age she refused to accept she couldn't do things just because she was blind and she hopes her achievements will inspire others in the same situation as herself. We discover her spirit, technique and strength.
[Guest]

Jun Ikushima

Sports journalist. This is his sixth appearance on the program. He has also covered NBA, MLB and other sports outside Japan and reported from the London Olympics.

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