Kyudo is one of Japan’s traditional martial arts, often translated as “the way of the arrow.” Its origins trace back to a time when the bow and arrow were essential weapons on the battlefield. The earliest references to kyudo date as far back as the 8th century AD, highlighting its deep historical and cultural roots in Japanese society.
Beautiful Martial Art Nowadays
Today, Kyudo is practiced both as a martial art and as a ceremonial discipline, as well as a competitive sport. Many universities and high schools in Japan have Kyudo clubs, where students learn the art of traditional Japanese archery. Practice takes place in a specially designed space called a dōjō, which must meet strict requirements: the ceiling must be at least 4 meters high, and the shooting distance to the target must be 27 to 28 meters. Because of these size constraints, it can be difficult to find suitable buildings—especially in urban areas. To help address this challenge, the concept of Hankyu, or shortened-range archery practice, was developed.
What is Hankyu?
Hankyu literally means “half bow” and refers to a compact version of traditional Kyudo. It was developed to allow for indoor practice in limited spaces. In Hankyu, the shooting distance is just 7 meters, and the bow is smaller than the classic Kyudo bow.
In traditional Kyudo, the bow measures over 2 meters in height, and unlike Western bows, the grip is placed asymmetrically—about one-third of the way from the bottom, rather than centered. Hankyu maintains these proportions, but the bow is reduced to about 180 cm in height. The arrows are also shorter, yet still feature natural feather fletching, just like in classical Kyudo.
Ready to try?
Anyone aged 10 and above is welcome to try this traditional form of Japanese archery. Participants will learn the fundamentals, including how to hold the bow correctly and how to release the arrow with precision. To protect your hands, a soft deerskin fingertip guard is provided.
Our company offers a unique cultural experience: “Experience Matsumoto’s Celebrated Samurai Culture.” This tour combines a guided visit to Matsumoto Castle with hands-on instruction in Hankyu archery and a katana masterclass, where you can learn basic techniques used by samurai warriors.
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