Kyudo

 

It seems that Kyudo is much more than archery - it is an art form that expects respect and dedication from one seeking to participate in the art form. The very act of firing the bow is broken down into eight different steps that reflects how one might go about self discovery. This is an example of the spiritual nature of Kyudo, which is also based in both Zen Buddhism and Shintoism. Additionally, in modern Kyudo, the main goal is the pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty, which again, reflects the deep introspective nature of Kyudo. Overall, while Kyudo is used mostly at events and in celebratory displays nowadays, the dedication to the art form remains, and Kyudo still demands the respect it has deserved at all ages.