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is the
Japanese Japanese may refer to: * Something from or related to Japan, an island country in East Asia * Japanese language, spoken mainly in Japan * Japanese people, the ethnic group that identifies with Japan through ancestry or culture ** Japanese diaspor ...
term for a bow. As used in English, refers more specifically to traditional Japanese asymmetrical bows, and includes the longer and the shorter used in the practice of and , or Japanese
archery Archery is the sport, practice, or skill of using a Bow and arrow, bow to shooting, shoot arrows.Paterson ''Encyclopaedia of Archery'' p. 17 The word comes from the Latin ''arcus'', meaning bow. Historically, archery has been used for hunting ...
. The was an important weapon of the
samurai The samurai () were members of the warrior class in Japan. They were originally provincial warriors who came from wealthy landowning families who could afford to train their men to be mounted archers. In the 8th century AD, the imperial court d ...
warrior during the feudal period of Japan. It is typically shot with Japanese
arrow An arrow is a fin-stabilized projectile launched by a bow. A typical arrow usually consists of a long, stiff, straight shaft with a weighty (and usually sharp and pointed) arrowhead attached to the front end, multiple fin-like stabilizers c ...
s known as . The most famous style of is an asymmetrically shaped long bow with a length of more than , characterized by the archer holding the part of the bow below the center to shoot the arrow.


History

Most of the excavated
Jōmon period In Japanese history, the is the time between , during which Japan was inhabited by the Jōmon people, a diverse hunter-gatherer and early agriculturalist population united by a common culture, which reached a considerable degree of sedentism an ...
() bows are in length, while most of the
Yayoi period The Yayoi period (弥生時代, ''Yayoi jidai'') (c. 300 BC – 300 AD) is one of the major historical periods of the Japanese archipelago. It is generally defined as the era between the beginning of food production in Japan and the emergence o ...
() bows are in length. The bows in these periods were made from a single processed wood, and the bows with this structure were called and were used until the
Nara period The of the history of Japan covers the years from 710 to 794. Empress Genmei established the capital of Heijō-kyō (present-day Nara). Except for a five-year period (740–745), when the capital was briefly moved again, it remained the capita ...
(710–794 CE). It is unknown when the asymmetrical came into use, but the first written record is found in the ''
Book of Wei The ''Book of Wei'', also known by its Chinese name as the ''Wei Shu'', is a classic Chinese historical text compiled by Wei Shou from 551 to 554, and is an important text describing the history of the Northern Wei and Eastern Wei from 386 to 5 ...
'', a Chinese historical manuscript dating to the 3rd century CE, which describes the people of the Japanese islands using "spears, shields, and wooden bows for arms; the wooden bows are made with the lower limbs short and the upper limbs long; and bamboo arrows with points of either iron or bone."''Records of the Three Kingdoms'', Book of Wei: 兵用矛楯木弓木弓短下長上竹箭或鐵鏃或骨鏃 The oldest asymmetrical found to date was discovered in
Nara Prefecture is a Prefectures of Japan, prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region of Honshu. Nara Prefecture has a population of 1,321,805 and has a geographic area of . Nara Prefecture borders Kyoto Prefecture to the north, Osaka Prefecture to the ...
, and is estimated to be from the 5th century. Some of the bows found as burial goods in (ancient tombs) during the
Kofun period The is an era in the history of Japan from about 300 to 538 AD (the date of the introduction of Buddhism), following the Yayoi period. The Kofun and the subsequent Asuka periods are sometimes collectively called the Yamato period. This period is ...
(300–538 CE) were decorated with gold or silver, and it is believed that they were also used in ceremonies. The length of most bows in this period ranged from , and it is thought that they were powerful enough to shoot enemies and animals at close range. In the Nara period, lacquered bows with more weather resistance and decorative features appeared. '' Euonymus hamiltonianus'', ''
Zelkova serrata ''Zelkova serrata'' (Japanese zelkova, Japanese elm, keyaki, or keaki; or ; zh, s=榉树, t=櫸樹, p=jǔshù; ) is a species of the genus ''Zelkova'' native plant, native to Japan, Korea, eastern China and Taiwan.Flora of China''Zelkova serr ...
'', and '' Toxicodendron succedaneum'', which are highly elastic wood, came to be used for making , and many became as long as roughly 7 3 (), increasing their power and range. Since then, the structure of the bow has gradually evolved, but its length of roughly 7 3 has been passed down to the present day. From the mid to late
Heian period The is the last division of classical Japanese history, running from 794 to 1185. It followed the Nara period, beginning when the 50th emperor, Emperor Kammu, moved the capital of Japan to Heian-kyō (modern Kyoto). means in Japanese. It is a ...
(794–1185), the Japanese developed the style of , the first in Japan with a laminated structure. This style of was made by attaching bamboo to a wooden with a flat front side using glue made from a fish float, and the elasticity of the bamboo improved the bow's range, power and durability. Nasu no Yoichi was famous as a master of archery in the late Heian period; his fame was depicted in ''
The Tale of the Heike is an epic account compiled prior to 1330 of the struggle between the Taira clan and Minamoto clan for control of Japan at the end of the 12th century in the Genpei War (1180–1185). It has been translated into English at least five times. ...
'' and , and he was the subject of various Japanese traditional performing arts and fine arts such as Noh, , ,
kabuki is a classical form of Theatre of Japan, Japanese theatre, mixing dramatic performance with Japanese traditional dance, traditional dance. Kabuki theatre is known for its heavily stylised performances, its glamorous, highly decorated costumes ...
, and
ukiyo-e is a genre of Japanese art that flourished from the 17th through 19th centuries. Its artists produced woodblock printing, woodblock prints and Nikuhitsu-ga, paintings of such subjects as female beauties; kabuki actors and sumo wrestlers; scenes ...
of later generations. From the end of the Heian period to the beginning of the
Kamakura period The is a period of History of Japan, Japanese history that marks the governance by the Kamakura shogunate, officially established in 1192 in Kamakura, Kanagawa, Kamakura by the first ''shōgun'' Minamoto no Yoritomo after the conclusion of the G ...
(1185–1333), the was developed, and bamboo was glued not only on the front side but also on the reverse side of the . In the late Kamakura period, the shape of the bow became more asymmetrical, with the upper part bent from the lower part, so that it resembled a modern bow, further increasing the range and power of the . From the middle of the Heian period, the style of , in which
rattan Rattan, also spelled ratan (from Malay language, Malay: ''rotan''), is the name for roughly 600 species of Old World climbing palms belonging to subfamily Calamoideae. The greatest diversity of rattan palm species and genera are in the clos ...
was wrapped around a laminated-structure to improve its elasticity and sturdiness, became popular. The style in particular was the strongest weapon of the Kamakura period, with a maximum range of and an effective range of that could inflict fatal wounds on targets. There are more than 20 varieties of , depending on how and where on the bow the rattan is wound. In the
Muromachi period The , also known as the , is a division of Japanese history running from approximately 1336 to 1573. The period marks the governance of the Muromachi or Ashikaga shogunate ( or ), which was officially established in 1338 by the first Muromachi ...
(1336–1573), the went from its luxurious exterior to a piece of equipment that symbolized the rank of commander. During the Kamakura period, when the
samurai The samurai () were members of the warrior class in Japan. They were originally provincial warriors who came from wealthy landowning families who could afford to train their men to be mounted archers. In the 8th century AD, the imperial court d ...
class came to power, (archery) became more and more popular, especially the three types of
mounted archery Mounted archery is a form of archery that involves shooting arrows while on horseback. A horse archer is a person who does mounted archery. Archery has occasionally been used from the backs of other riding animals. In large open areas, mounted ...
: , , and . The was developed during the Muromachi period, and bamboo was used on the side of the bow to increase its range and power. During the
Sengoku period The was the period in History of Japan, Japanese history in which civil wars and social upheavals took place almost continuously in the 15th and 16th centuries. The Kyōtoku incident (1454), Ōnin War (1467), or (1493) are generally chosen as th ...
(1467–1615), the used in modern was developed, completing the original form of the Japanese bow now known around the world. The characteristic of the bow is that it has a greatly changed laminated structure from the conventional bow. The core of the structure is about four pieces of bonded bamboo, with bamboo glued to the front side and the other side and wood glued to the sides. This improved the range and power of the bow and enabled it to shoot through targets away in the Sanjusangen-do archery contest, , a famous event still held today. Research on (arrowheads) was actively conducted to enhance their killing ability, and of various shapes were developed. During this period, the was mass-produced by Japanese swordsmiths, and mobilized (foot soldiers) used them to exert tremendous power on the battlefield. However, because took a long time to load, were inconvenient in rainy weather when damp gunpowder would not fire, and were not exactly subtle in terms of noise, the did not go out of fashion and continued to be used as an important military force on the battlefield. When Japanese society became more peaceful in the
Edo period The , also known as the , is the period between 1600 or 1603 and 1868 in the history of Japan, when the country was under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate and some 300 regional ''daimyo'', or feudal lords. Emerging from the chaos of the Sengok ...
(1603–1867), the spirituality and decorativeness of the became important, and developed as a samurai's way of doing things. Even today, the is used in and ceremonies, and in Grand
sumo is a form of competitive full-contact wrestling where a ''rikishi'' (wrestler) attempts to force his opponent out of a circular ring (''dohyō'') or into touching the ground with any body part other than the soles of his feet (usually by th ...
tournaments, a ceremony called the , which is dedicated to
Shinto , also called Shintoism, is a religion originating in Japan. Classified as an East Asian religions, East Asian religion by Religious studies, scholars of religion, it is often regarded by its practitioners as Japan's indigenous religion and as ...
, is held.


Shape

The is exceptionally tall, standing over in height, and typically surpasses the height of the . They are traditionally made by
laminating Simulated flight (using image stack created by μCT scanning) through the length of a knitting needle that consists of laminated wooden layers: the layers can be differentiated by the change of direction of the wood's vessels Shattered windshi ...
bamboo Bamboos are a diverse group of mostly evergreen perennial plant, perennial flowering plants making up the subfamily (biology), subfamily Bambusoideae of the grass family Poaceae. Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family, in th ...
,
wood Wood is a structural tissue/material found as xylem in the stems and roots of trees and other woody plants. It is an organic materiala natural composite of cellulosic fibers that are strong in tension and embedded in a matrix of lignin t ...
and
leather Leather is a strong, flexible and durable material obtained from the tanning (leather), tanning, or chemical treatment, of animal skins and hides to prevent decay. The most common leathers come from cattle, sheep, goats, equine animals, buffal ...
, using techniques which have not changed for centuries, although some archers (particularly beginners) may use a synthetic . The is asymmetrical; according to the All Nippon Kyudo Federation, the grip () has to be positioned at about two thirds of the distance from the upper tip. The upper and lower curves also differ. Several hypotheses have been offered for this asymmetric shape. Some believe it was designed for use on a
horse The horse (''Equus ferus caballus'') is a domesticated, one-toed, hoofed mammal. It belongs to the taxonomic family Equidae and is one of two extant subspecies of ''Equus ferus''. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 mi ...
, where the could be moved from one side of the horse to the other with ease; however, there is evidence that the asymmetrical shape predates its use on horseback. Others claim that asymmetry was needed to enable shooting from a kneeling position. Yet another explanation is the characteristics of the wood from a time before laminating techniques. In case the bow is made from a single piece of wood, its modulus of elasticity is different between the part taken from the treetop side and the other side. A lower grip balances it. The hand holding the may also experience less vibration due to the grip being on a vibration
node In general, a node is a localized swelling (a "knot") or a point of intersection (a vertex). Node may refer to: In mathematics * Vertex (graph theory), a vertex in a mathematical graph *Vertex (geometry), a point where two or more curves, lines ...
of the bow. A perfectly uniform pole has nodes at 1/4 and 3/4 of the way from the ends, or 1/2 if held taut at the ends – these positions will change significantly with shape and consistency of the bow material.


String

The string of a , a , is traditionally made of
hemp Hemp, or industrial hemp, is a plant in the botanical class of ''Cannabis sativa'' cultivars grown specifically for industrial and consumable use. It can be used to make a wide range of products. Along with bamboo, hemp is among the fastest ...
, although most modern archers will use strings made of synthetic materials such as
Kevlar Kevlar (para-aramid) is a strong, heat-resistant synthetic fiber, related to other aramids such as Nomex and Technora. Developed by Stephanie Kwolek at DuPont in 1965, the high-strength material was first used commercially in the early 1970s as ...
, which will last longer. The nocking-point on the string is built up through the application of hemp and glue to protect the string and to provide a thickness which helps hold the nock ( of the arrow, a , in place while drawing the . However, it can also be made of strands of waxed bamboo.


Care and maintenance

A bamboo requires careful attention. Left unattended, the can warp out of shape and may eventually become unusable. The shape of a will change through normal use and can be re-formed when needed through manual application of pressure, through shaping blocks, or by leaving it strung or unstrung when not in use. The shape of the curves of a is greatly affected by whether it is left strung or unstrung when not in use. The decision to leave a strung or unstrung depends upon the current shape of the . A that is relatively flat when unstrung will usually be left unstrung when not in use (a in this state is sometimes referred to as being 'tired'). A that has excessive curvature when unstrung is typically left strung for a period of time to 'tame' the . A well cared-for can last many generations, while the usable life of a mistreated can be very short.


Bow lengths


Gallery

Moto hazu (bottom nock).jpg, (bottom nock) Nigiri (grip).jpg, (grip) Ura hazu (top nock).jpg, (top nock) Tsurumaki string holder 1.JPG, (string holder) and (string) Antique Japanese (samurai) hankyū(small yumi).jpg, Antique (shortbow) Antique Japanese (samurai) daikyū and hankyū yumi 3.jpg, Antique (longbow) and (shortbow) Antique Japanese (samurai) yumi bukuro.jpg, (cloth cover) Yoshitoshi - 100 Aspects of the Moon - 67.jpg,
Ukiyo-e is a genre of Japanese art that flourished from the 17th through 19th centuries. Its artists produced woodblock printing, woodblock prints and Nikuhitsu-ga, paintings of such subjects as female beauties; kabuki actors and sumo wrestlers; scenes ...
by
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (; also named Taiso Yoshitoshi ; 30 April 1839 – 9 June 1892) was a Japanese printmaker.Louis-Frédéric, Nussbaum, Louis Frédéric. (2005)"Tsukoka Kōgyō"in ''Japan Encyclopedia,'' p. 1000. Yoshitoshi ha ...
depicting Minamoto no Tsunemoto hunting a
sika deer The sika deer (''Cervus nippon''), also known as the northern spotted deer or the Japanese deer, is a species of deer native to much of East Asia and introduced to other parts of the world. Previously found from northern Vietnam in the south t ...
with a 豇豆(ささげ)蒔絵矢筒, Japanese quiver.jpg, A (
quiver A quiver is a container for holding arrows or Crossbow bolt, bolts. It can be carried on an archer's body, the bow, or the ground, depending on the type of shooting and the archer's personal preference. Quivers were traditionally made of leath ...
) decorated with .
Edo period The , also known as the , is the period between 1600 or 1603 and 1868 in the history of Japan, when the country was under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate and some 300 regional ''daimyo'', or feudal lords. Emerging from the chaos of the Sengok ...
, 18th century.
Tokyo National Museum The or TNM is an art museum in Ueno Park in the Taitō wards of Tokyo, ward of Tokyo, Japan. It is one of the four museums operated by the , is considered the oldest national museum and the largest art museum in Japan. The museum collects, prese ...
.


Popular culture

* are featured in the ''
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' (''TMNT'') is an American media franchise created by comic book artists Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. It follows Leonardo (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Leonardo, Donatello (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), D ...
'' franchise, used by
Splinter A splinter (also known as a sliver) is a fragment of a larger object, or a foreign body that penetrates or is purposely injected into a body. The foreign body must be lodged inside tissue to be considered a splinter. Splinters may cause initia ...
in '' Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze'' and the
2003 2003 was designated by the United Nations as the International Year of Fresh water, Freshwater. In 2003, a Multi-National Force – Iraq, United States-led coalition 2003 invasion of Iraq, invaded Iraq, starting the Iraq War. Demographic ...
episode "Exodus, Part 1". The Foot Clan includes Foot Archers who use . Leonardo,
Donatello Donato di Niccolò di Betto Bardi ( – 13 December 1466), known mononymously as Donatello (; ), was an Italian Renaissance sculpture, Italian sculptor of the Renaissance period. Born in Republic of Florence, Florence, he studied classical sc ...
,
Raphael Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino (; March 28 or April 6, 1483April 6, 1520), now generally known in English as Raphael ( , ), was an Italian painter and architect of the High Renaissance. List of paintings by Raphael, His work is admired for its cl ...
, and Michaelangelo occasionally used in the 2012 version, and were also used by Karai, as shown on the flashbacks of the 2003 episode "City At War, part 3". A bow was used by Murakami Gennosuke, a
rhino A rhinoceros ( ; ; ; : rhinoceros or rhinoceroses), commonly abbreviated to rhino, is a member of any of the five extant taxon, extant species (or numerous extinct species) of odd-toed ungulates (perissodactyls) in the family (biology), famil ...
bounty hunter A bounty hunter is a private agent working for a bail bondsman who captures fugitives or criminals for a commission or bounty. The occupation, officially known as a bail enforcement agent or fugitive recovery agent, has traditionally operated ...
in the 2003 episode "The Real World, Part 1". * ''
Power Rangers Samurai ''Power Rangers Samurai'' is the eighteenth season of the children's television series ''Power Rangers'', which is based on the Japanese ''Super Sentai Series''. The season was the first to be produced by Saban Capital Group, SCG Power Rangers, a ...
'' features the Blue Ranger Kevin Douglas using the Hydro Bow, which is based on a bow. * bows were used by samurai in '' Deadliest Warrior'' and ''
The Last Samurai ''The Last Samurai'' is a 2003 American epic period action drama film directed and produced by Edward Zwick, who also co-wrote the screenplay with John Logan and Marshall Herskovitz from a story devised by Logan. The film stars Tom Cruise, ...
''. * The character Hanzo Shimada from ''
Overwatch ''Overwatch'' (abbreviated as OW) is a multimedia franchise centered on a series of multiplayer first-person shooter (FPS) video games developed by Blizzard Entertainment. ''Overwatch (video game), Overwatch'' was released in 2016 with a success ...
'' uses a futuristic yumi as his weapon of choice due to him abandoning the way of the sword after nearly killing his brother Genji. * Kikyo uses the Yumi bow as her preferred weapon of choice while her younger sister, Kaede did the same thing in her own right before and after her death and resurrection in Inuyasha both the anime and manga series


See also

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *


References


Further reading

* *


External links

{{Japanese (samurai) weapons, armour and equipment Bows (archery) Bamboo weapons Medieval archery Archery equipment of Japan Samurai weapons and equipment Japanese words and phrases