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Yudaoshi

What is Yudaoshi?

Yudaoshi is an important stage in the practice of Kyudo, the Japanese martial art of archery, and it typically follows Zanshin. The term "Yudaoshi" can be translated as "lowering the bow" or "bow lowering." It involves the act of returning the bow to a resting position after the shot has been completed.

Here are the key aspects of Yudaoshi:

  1. Transition from Zanshin: After maintaining the state of Zanshin, the archer smoothly transitions into Yudaoshi. This transition should be calm and deliberate, reflecting the composure and mindfulness that characterize the entire shooting process.
  2. Lowering the Bow: The archer gradually lowers the bow from the extended position. This movement should be controlled and steady, without any abrupt or jerky motions. The bow is brought back down to the initial stance, often to the position where it was held during Ashibumi (foot placement).
  3. Maintaining Posture: Throughout Yudaoshi, the archer maintains good posture and balance. The body remains aligned, the spine straight, and the shoulders relaxed. This ensures that the archer remains in a state of readiness and mindfulness even after the shot.
  4. Sense of Completion: Yudaoshi signifies the completion of the shooting sequence. It is a moment for the archer to acknowledge the end of the shot and to prepare mentally and physically for the next one. This sense of completion is important for maintaining the flow and rhythm of the practice.
  5. Calm and Composed: The archer should remain calm and composed throughout Yudaoshi. This reflects the inner state of tranquility and focus that is cultivated through Kyudo practice. The movement should be executed with the same level of mindfulness and attention to detail as the rest of the shooting process.

Yudaoshi is an essential part of Kyudo as it encapsulates the principles of mindfulness, control, and continuous awareness. It ensures that the practice is carried out with a sense of completeness and that the archer remains centered and focused throughout the entire sequence. Mastery of Yudaoshi contributes to the overall discipline and mindfulness that are central to Kyudo.

Related Article: Kyudo: The Zen Art of Japanese Archery

The minute you don a black belt, the minute you step in front of a class to teach, you are seen as an expert on violence. It doesn’t matter if you have absorbed a complete philosophical system with your martial art. It doesn’t matter if the art gave you, for the first time, the confidence to view the world as a pacifist. It doesn’t matter if you studied as a window to another age and culture. It doesn’t matter that you have found enlightenment in kata or learned to blend in harmony with the force of your attacker. It doesn’t matter because you are about to teach a martial art, an art dedicated to Mars, the God of War. A MARtial art. Even if somewhere over the years you have lost sight of this, your students have not.
Rory Miller

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