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.

So that's how they're made! I pray such craftsmanship never gets lost to time.

Literally my user name!

FYI. Longer on top of the handgrip and shorter on the bottom so it can be fired from horseback.

Amazing craftsmanship. Thanks for sharing.

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.

quote:

Originally posted by daikyu:
Literally my user name!

Interesting. So you practice kyuudo?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: kkina,

Fascinating.

Very cool and interesting video.

I do not. Just a long time fascination with Samurai culture.

I was a low key martial arts practitioner in my youth.

Tae Kwon Do
Ishn ryu
Kung Fu
Arnis

My favorite was Kung Fu and Arnis. Same Sifu for both and I hung with it for several years and became OK.

quote:

Originally posted by kkina:

quote:

Originally posted by daikyu:
Literally my user name!

Interesting. So you practice kyuudo?