Category Archives: mind

Kyudo Notebook: Nerai

Posted on December 29, 2019 by karamatsu

This period of feeling a bit lost has been really long. I think it’s mostly because work has been so intensive, and I notice a distinct difference when I go to the dojo. It’s as if my mind is focused … Continue reading →

Posted in kai, kyudo, kyudo notebook, mind | 1 Comment

Kyudo: State of the Union

Posted on January 31, 2018 by karamatsu

Well, no, not that State of the Union. There have been a couple of tutorials and taikai since the last post, and several things seem to be coming together, though I’m wary of the “magic key” effect. I want to … Continue reading →

Posted in daisan, hikiwake, kai, kyudo, kyudo notebook, mind, tenouchi, uchiokoshi, Uncategorized, yugamae, zanshin | 10 Comments

Kyudo Notebook: Aims

Posted on November 23, 2017 by karamatsu

Shocking to see that my last note here was in August. Where did the time go? Back then it was hot and humid. Now the ground is covered with snow. I’ve been thinking lately about the aim of Kyudo practice. … Continue reading →

Posted in kyudo, kyudo notebook, mind | 8 Comments

Mind / Body / Bow

Posted on July 14, 2017 by karamatsu

Another long delay! Maybe this is how it will be for a while? Things are happening but slowly, and in a one step forward, one step in a totally random direction sort of way. I went through a period where … Continue reading →

Posted in buddhist practice, dozukuri, kai, kyudo, kyudo notebook, mind | 3 Comments

Kyudo Notebook: Rain

Posted on April 9, 2017 by karamatsu

So many things have been going on, not least of which has been unexpected travel, but there is no letting up with practice! I want to record some notes made at a tutorial some time back with a favorite Hanshi … Continue reading →

Posted in hanare, kai, kyudo, kyudo notebook, mind, sharei, sharei | 3 Comments

Kyudo Notebook: Introspection

Posted on October 14, 2016 by karamatsu

It’s been a while, with that “work” thing getting in the way. I can’t complain because I volunteered for the task but the psychological/spiritual toll was more than I expected. I continued at the dojo — my oasis — but … Continue reading →

Posted in kyudo notebook, mind, shinsa, Uncategorized | 9 Comments

Kyudo Notebook: Rock and a Hard Place

Posted on September 12, 2016 by karamatsu

So the good news is that by changing how I think about what I’m doing, certain problems have vanished. By seeking fulfillment through shooting my arms no longer drop at the release, and I’m now shooting more or less the … Continue reading →

Posted in hanare, hikiwake, kai, kyudo, kyudo notebook, mind, uchiokoshi, zanshin | Leave a comment

Kyudo Notebook: Details

Posted on September 2, 2016 by karamatsu

In one way it’s hard to believe I haven’t written anything in three months, but in another it makes sense. Although I’ve been practicing regularly my mind has been elsewhere, either family or work. Time to get back. What I’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in dozukuri, kyudo notebook, mind, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Kyudo Notebook: Nagoya Seminar 2016

Posted on April 30, 2016 by karamatsu

After the seminar ended I had a ton of things to catch up on, and with the holiday finally have time. I suppose the big news is that next year’s Asia-Oceania Seminar will be in New Zealand, the first time … Continue reading →

Posted in daisan, hada-ire, hadanugi, hanare, hikiwake, kai, kaizoe, kyudo, kyudo notebook, mind, uchiokoshi, Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Kyudo Notebook: Suki

Posted on January 25, 2016 by karamatsu

One of the most difficult things about Kyudo, compared to most martial arts, is that we have no opponent to help us. There is this concept of suki (透き), a gap, opening, or vulnerability, but because we have no autonomous … Continue reading →

Posted in kyudo, kyudo notebook, mind, taihai, Uncategorized | 1 Comment