Japanese battlefield archery old documentary

[Ashbow]

I think most of us have read Eugen Herrigel?s famous book and I bet some if not most of that persons would think of it when referring what kyudo is about. No doubt the book has had a big impact on today?s view of Japanese archery.
But when I went to the website appearing in the Mister Micawber?s profile and read the Yamada Shőji?s article ?The Myth of Zen in the Art of Archery? I?m in fact more confused.
http://www.nanzan-u.ac.jp/SHUBUNKEN/pub ... df/586.pdf
The article concerns Eugen Herrigel?s possible misinterpretations of Japanese archery Zen aspect and teachings of his master Awa Kenzo. If we believe what the author wrote the matter was quite different than Herrigel thought (he didn?t know Japanese and had to rely on translator, who wasn?t always present) and Awa?s teachings weren?t associated with Zen and were rather part of his own ?doctrine?. Also it seems that archery in Japan wasn?t so often associated with Zen as one would think when reading ?Zen in the Art of the Archery?
Quote from the article:

In pre-war (II world war)* texts about Japanese archery, with the exception of certain isolated religious sects, there is little or no mention of kyudo?s affinity with Zen. Likewise, among modern practitioners of Japanese archery those people who approach it as one part of Zen training are extremely unusual in Japan.

*my italics

(1:0 for Dusan )
I recommend the article to anyone concerned.
Anyway Herrigel?s writings are still valid for me, Zen or not ?spirituality? in Japanese archery I can see plenty.

[Dusan]

Same problem about religiozity with weapons , martial art etc. is all over the world. Especiali in eastern countries - but more in western people mind. Once i talking about vith Chines kung-fu master. He smailing and said- if western people love this and desire for "religiouz secrets in martial art" we dont tell him no, that is not tru.This is good image for our country and good money-ha-ha-ha. Thats all...Every find what you want...

[Alex S.]

There's a color video of another Heki-ryu demonstration (it's not clear whether this one is of the Insai-ha or Satsuma-ha) here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSxuQ5ahRJ4

This looks like satsuma, they also confirm at the end.
Thank you for the link.

[Kyudohund]

Dear all,

as we know, Herrigel had a chair for philosophy in Germany and he was interested in the philosophy of Zen. If you want to practice Zen, you can practice it in all kinds of Do, like Kendo, Judo, Aikido etc. but he wanted to sharp his sense for aiming (with his gun).
I see Herrigels book as a philosophical work. He is very famous in Japan for this, but even japanese people practice Kyudo and not Zen with it.
During Tokugawa-time (1600 - 1868) there was a long period of peace. In this time all war-arts changed from Jutsu into existential practice, influenced through Zen - Do. One of the reasons to practice Zen, was to lose fear from death.
Sensei Awa was a very exalted, famous person and the best archer in his time. Its not so long ago, japanese people liked to talk in pictures or in compaisons and you all know what we call here "quiet post", so to translate japanese into English or German 1:1 is nearly imposible. Too, what I know, "it" does not exist in japanese language. Even in whole Japan there is only one(!) temple-park where a Kyudojo exists.
To shoot a Yumi includes a difficult technic, like playing an instrument. Some time, when you have learned the correct shooting, the spirituell way starts and you perfect your own style.

Peter
I am interested in Zen too and I think it influences all you do, but since 19 years I practice Kyudo, exclusive.