The Power and Accuracy of the Japanese Longbow
Longbow (Yumi) Practitioner
The English longbow was a powerful weapon, over six feet long and was used for hunting as well. The English used this against the French during the Hundred Years’ War. Preferably, the bow was made of yew, a tree native to western, central and southern Europe, but elm and other woods were also used.
It was hard use and master since it needed a lot of force to send your arrow flying and pierce a man even with armor on. Slowly firearms were introduced, yet longbows were still used in hunting and in battles. But after the popularization of firearms, the English longbow has been forgotten. It is now ineffective in times of war.
Unlike the English longbow, the Japanese longbow or yumi was a prominent symbol in samurai abodes. Even after the introduction of firearms on the 16th century, the shogunate still preferred the yumi. For them, archery is a dignified art.
The yumi, a long bow, is two meters long and is made from wood or bamboo. It was said to be designed for use while riding a horse. The string is made of hemp, traditionally. But in modern times, archers would use synthetic string.
For a samurai, mastering the yumi could help him gain honor and prestige. Killing a deer with it had a lot of benefits as well.
Back in the 4th century archery contests were held in Japan. Between the 8th and 12th century archery competitions on horseback was very popular. During this time archery training had developed.
To make the contest a bit more interesting and challenging, a target, which was just a round board, stuffed and wrapped in deer’s skin, was hung on a pole and was set to move.
Imuoumono is another target-shooting practice where an equestrian archer shoots at dogs. The dogs would be released to a bamboo-fenced stadium. The archers would enter the stadium and shoot the dogs. Although barbaric, this practice did not vanish and remained popular. After a few centuries non-lethal arrows were used to shoot the dogs. The dogs wore padded jackets to ensure they are unharmed.
There was also the Yabusame where the archer shoots three targets while riding on a horse at full speed. Kasagake was performed in a fenced course called yado. The rider was required to shoot a bamboo hat from a distance and then close-range while riding his horse on full-speed.
The yumi, for a serious practitioner of archery, is a piece of immense power. It is regarded disrespect if one touches another peron’s yumi. And usually one has to take care of his yumi just like how he treats himself.
Careful attention is needed for a yumi. If unattended it may lose it shape and, eventually, become useless. You may as well think of it as another part of your body. A well-cared yumi could last for generations.
Other bows existed as well. Hankyu, a short bow, was used for battle. Yokyu was used for entertainment. Another one for hunting was the suzume-yumi.
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