Dr. Michael Rich participates in the Commemorative Kyudo Tournament in Central Japan

Dr. Michael Rich, Associate Professor of Japanese and Chinese at EKU, was invited to participate in the Commemorative Kyudo Tournament for the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Omihachiman Kyudo Federation and the 20th anniversary of the construction of the Omihachiman Kyudojo on March 10 in Central Japan. High ranking instructors, including the President of the All Nippon Kyudo Federation Nakano Hideya, opened and closed the tournament with ceremonial shooting. Rich competed with 138 kyudo practitioners and received an award for “fighting spirit.”

Kyudo is a traditional form of Japanese archery that uses an asymmetrical 7 foot-long bow. It was popularized in the West with the publication of Eugen Herrigel’s Zen in the Art of Archery. Kyudo was banned along with other Japanese martial arts during the US occupation, but was revived as a form of self-development and contemplation.  Its roots lie not only in the samurai fighting traditions, but also in court ceremony and shamanistic ritual.

Published on March 25, 2019