The Kyudo Club opens to give Fourways residents a chance to learn an ancient Japanese martial art
FOURWAYS – A new Kyudo club set to help Fourways residents on their of physical and mental well-being.
The Kyudo Club officially opened its doors on 11 February and gives residents in the greater Fourways area a chance to learn an ancient Japanese martial art.
The organisation behind the new club already has a dojo in the Boskruin area which has been running for the last six years. They decided to open another one at the Rivonia Recreation Club on Achter Road in Paulshof this year to expose more people to the sport and because the area is so central. Kyudo is an ancient Japanese martial art and is also known as Japanese archery.
“Kyudo means ‘way of the bow’ and is the traditional Japanese martial way that uses the act of shooting the Japanese bow for the cultivation of the person and the development of physical and mental well-being,” explained Jade Fraundorfer, a fourth Dan in the sport and the club’s chief instructor.
“It is now a worldwide practice that has both a cultural and sporting aspects.
“Kyudo places greater emphasis on the beauty of form, with accuracy being seen as an expression of correct shooting rather than ‘hitting for hitting’s sake’.”
This focus on skill over strength means that anyone can take part in kyudo, and Fraudorfer believes resolve, drive and an eye for detail is what will make budding practitioners successful in the sport.
“We develop skills in the dojo but patience, self-discipline and motivated people do well. People that are good with their bodies [who have good motor skills etc] learn the sport faster,” he said.
Archery in general and kyudo, in particular, is hard to learn, but Fraundorfer believes it’s a fantastic sport for those who want to push themselves.
“You should try kyudo if you are looking for a very different Japanese martial art with traditional cultural heritage, [which is] ancient, beautiful and non-aggressive. Something that will grow you or if you love archery but want something more out of shooting a bow.”
The Kyudo Club in Rivonia accepts those aged 15 years or older and holds lessons on Monday nights. It hosts a tournament for club members once a month and also sends members to attend international tournaments every four years.
Details: www.kyudo.co.za
