My grandfather's hobby was making English Longbows, and we had a couple of them when I was growing up. Never had the chance to shoot one, though.
-------------------------- Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats. -- H L Mencken
I always prefer reality when I can figure out what it is. -- JALLEN 10/18/18
April 11, 2025, 05:03 AM
kkina
So that's how they're made! I pray such craftsmanship never gets lost to time.
FYI. Longer on top of the handgrip and shorter on the bottom so it can be fired from horseback.
April 11, 2025, 08:47 AM
k5blazer
Amazing craftsmanship. Thanks for sharing.
April 11, 2025, 11:02 AM
konata88
Nice find! Pretty cool. There are so many Japanese crafts that are so intricate and detailed. It's too bad that the younger generation largely don't find interest in the traditional crafts.
I'm under the impression that in past eras, Korean bows (made from antlers? not sure) were well respected, even in comparison the Japanese bows, and certainly to Chinese bows. I wonder now how those were made and how they are different from Japanese bows.
I wonder also, after all the care that is taken into making the bow, what care and techniques were made in the string and the arrow. Anything special? Or just the bow craft?
I do find the practice of kyuudo a little over artistic (like chado); kendo/karate are more pragmatic. Perhaps that's the intent but it's just not for me.
"Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority share in it." L.Tolstoy "A government is just a body of people, usually, notably, ungoverned." Shepherd Book
April 11, 2025, 12:26 PM
kkina
quote:
Originally posted by daikyu: Literally my user name!
Interesting. So you practice kyuudo?This message has been edited. Last edited by: kkina, April 11, 2025 01:40 PM