Kyudo: Understanding Your Body Will Change Your Shooting! Book by Keiju Takahashi

This book introduces essential perspectives on Kyudo (Japanese archery) that have been long overlooked. The actions of a master in Kyudo are deliberate and rooted in deep understanding. Without grasping the mechanics of the body, it’s impossible to truly comprehend its functions. Written by a professional in physical care and Kyudo instruction, this much-anticipated guide integrates body science with Kyudo practice. Learn to improve accuracy, enhance shot quality, and reduce strain on the body with practical and scientific insights. This book bridges a gap in martial arts literature, shedding light on Kyudo from a physiological viewpoint.

Table of Contents:

Chapter 1: Is Your Kyudo Okay?

1. What is your goal?
2. Are you making efforts aligned with your goal?
3. Are you using appropriate bow strength?
4. A decline in average bow strength?
5. Tradition as an excuse!
6. How should we proceed?

Chapter 2: Understanding Your Body

1. Basics of joints, bones, and muscles
2. The components of the body
3. Gender differences
4. Age-related differences
5. Differences in skeleton and body type
6. Differences due to joint flexibility
7. Observing your own body

Chapter 3: The Eight Stages of Kyudo and Body Movements

1. What is the Eight Stages for your body?
2. What does it mean to create movement?
3. What are failures, and what causes injuries?

(Detailed subsections under each stage are included, such as footwork, torso stability, bow preparation, and more, with an emphasis on understanding body mechanics.)

Chapter 4: Care and Training

1. What is care?
2. What is training?
3. Are care and training necessary in Kyudo?
4. Practicing without arrows and at close range
5. Warming up to prepare the body
6. Training
7. Structuring a routine
8. Cooling down

Author’s Bio:
Keiju Takahashi is the director of Keiju Osteopathy Clinic and supervises the Tokyo Jikei Medical University Kyudo Club. He is a part-time lecturer specializing in Kyudo at Nippon Sport Science University and serves as a member of the All Japan Kyudo Federation’s Medical Science Committee. As a certified athletic trainer, para-sports trainer, and JOC (Japanese Olympic Committee) medical science staff, Takahashi combines his expertise in physical care and martial arts. With a master’s degree in physical education science, he holds the rank of Kyudo Renshi (6th Dan) and Judo 2nd Dan. He is also an advisor to the martial arts research group "Keishinkai."

Language: Japanese

# of pages: 200

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