Archery Expressed in Haiku

Haiku is a major form of Japanese verse that often evokes allusion and comparisons, often to things in nature.  With the natural beauty of both Kyudo and western-based archery, I thought that I should seek out such an expression of what archery means to me.   In my search, I found one such expression made by fellow archer and blogger Zach Robinson.  Zach's expression resonnated with me as I think of Sensei's words.  He likened the yumi to a "great teacher" and in this I believe that when engaged in archery practice, we learn to focus inward.  In our struggle for perfection, we cannot help but discover the flaws within ourselves.

"The weight of bow, string

balance and beauty within

an instrument, tool"

- Zack Robinson

While I am not certain if Zack practices Kyudo but he definately is an archer as such has gained an understanding of archery as an intrument to help us achieve balance and inner beauty.  Of course, I could be completely wrong and totally out of touch with the true meaning of his Haiku.  However, given the medium of his expression, I certainly thought he was drawing this link between archery and self development and self improvement.

As I get older, I am find myself engaged in more self reflection and most certainly my Kyudo practice affords me that opportunity to look inward.

Preparation for 2012 Alberta Target Archers Association Outdoor Provincial Championships

Today marks about a month since I last held the yumi and ya.  I had the opportunity and privilege to practice with new students on the last afternoon of the Kyudo Beginner's Intensive that was held at our archery club on June 2nd and 3rd.  Of course our teacher from Kozan Iba (the Kyudo dojo in Halifax), John Mills, was there to teach the students and set them on their journey.  He was also their to provide gentle reminders on the seven coordinations or hassetsu for those of us who already practice kyudo and why we practice the "way." 

One of the things that will always stick with me when I attended my first Intensive was how our teacher referred to the yumi as the "great teacher."  This was definately reinforced during this time with John when I had to be corrected several times for errors in the hassetsu.  I found myself feeling very self-conscious when I dropped the yumi on release of the ya.  Not just once, but twice.  In an effort of having a relaxed grip or "tiger's mouth" I failed to form the proper hand position and in the process dropped the bow when the arrow catapulted forwarded toward the makiwara (short distance target).  I thought I was doing well but it turns out that I wasn't.

Normally, our little Kyudo group gets together on the last Friday of every month for practice and fellowship.  However, due to a commitment I made to my wife to renovate and redecorate our daughter's room and preparations for this year's outdoor provincial championships had kept me away from practice in June.  I could definately notice the void as Kyudo for me is my "reset button" - it helps me stay centred.  Its a little stoic I know but I rely on Kyudo to clear my mind of my troubles and to "recharge the batteries."  I can't wait to actually get my own yumi and ya so I don't have to rely so much on the club's equipment to practice.  This will allow me to practice at home if I so choose and practice more often.

Whith the weekend quickly approaching, I am eagerly looking forward to competing at the 2012 ATAA Provincial Outdoor Archery Championships.  I wanted to compete in the target rounds but due to the scale of my bow sight, I can't sight my bow out to 90 meters and at this point, I couldn't get a new sight in fast enough to sight in and be ready for the weekend.  So, instead I will be competing in the field rounds on Sunday.  I only have one distance to sight my bow in before Friday and that would be 60 meters, the maximum target distance for field rounds under Archery Canada rules. 

The Outdoor Provincials will be a new experience for me in that I have never competed at an outdoor tournament before, so very seldom have I ever shot beyond the indoor distance of 18 meters.  However, sighting my bow in for these distances on the outdoor target range has me asking myself why I haven't before.  Since this will be my first outdoor tournament, I am not expecting to medal and a top 10 finish would be fantastic and the best I could hope for.  It depends on which archers show up I guess and if they're on their game or not.

May the archery gods smile down on me on Sunday and help me shoot to the best of my abilities.