PROMOTING KYUDO WITH THE AIM OF MAKING IT AN OLYMPIC DISCIPLINE
(Article published in the newspaper "SANKEI", February 21st, 2002)

The broadcasting of the Olympic Games from Salt Lake City has increased the
enthusiasm and interest in sports in general. However, the image of the Olympic
Games has not helped in promoting interest in sports which are not yet
represented there.
Affected by this neglect are almost all of the Budo-sports, including Kyudo
which is a major sport in Japan. The image abroad of Kyudo is mostly that of
quiet and dynamic yet powerful movements and it is closely associated with Zen
and its influences.
Kyudo is not restricted to any specific age-group and can be practiced by all.
A good example was given of this during the 41st All Japan Kyudo Competition at
which two of the top three archers were 85 and 100 years old, respectively. It
is quite remarkable to hit the target at a distance of 28 meters at that age. I
think this inspiring feat serves as a good example to show that to reach a high
level of skill one is not limited by age in any way when taking up the practice
of Kyudo.

Among Japanese universities, the University of Tsukuba is the only one where
research on various aspects of Kyudo has been conducted for many years already.
Research in this field is being done on finding the best suited methods for
teaching Japanese archery to disabled people and seniors as well as students.
For each of these groups the specific conditions and circumstances have to be
taken into account in order to develop the optimal teaching method.
The female announcer of the morning NHK program (Japanese governmental TV
station) in charge of broadcasting the Olympic Games from Salt Lake City is
also a graduate of the University of Tsukuba in the field of Kyudo.

Well over 15 different Kyudo-associations have been established in Europe alone
during the last couple of years. In some countries Kyudo has been practiced for
over 30 years. The popularity of Japanese archery is ever growing and one can
see this particularly well when visiting European Kyudo-clubs during
training-sessions and seeing the high level of proficiency and seriousness with
which it is trained. In recent years, Kyudo is making its way towards Eastern
Europe where it is rapidly gaining in popularity.

Whether young or old, strong or weak, male or female, Kyudo can be practiced by
anyone who whishes, thus making it an ideal sport for the 21st century.
While perhaps not noted as an observer sport, with participation one quickly
comes to understand and appreciate the concentration and silence which
accompany the movements. Then the desire to train becomes ingrained. Kyudo has
been developed over many centuries and been handed down from one generation to
the next and thus became an important part of Japanese culture.
During his recent visit to Japan, the President of the United States, Mr.
George W. Bush, was attending a demonstration of traditional Japanese
horse-back archery. He was very impressed, as was widely reported by the media
the following day.
It is my sincere wish that Kyudo will one day become an Olympic discipline
along Western archery. Much work and support is needed to attain this goal.


Prof. Toshio Mori, University of Tsukuba