Kyudo, The Way of the Bow [Private]

evil incarnate

That's what he is, I'll find that bastard who killed them and when I do, I'll put an arrow through his chest... He'll know something worse than Death

like i do

Kyudo, The Way of the Bow for the Japanese... And the way of life for the young Fujimura Nozomi. It required one to become completely calm, to clear the mind of all thoughts. As she slowly raised the bow Fujimura closed her eyes, two fingers firmly but gently grasping the back tip of the arrow as her hands slowly came downwards. Her left hand being brought forward to pull the bow forward, bringing her hands down until the arrow shaft was lined up perfectly with the center of her cheek as she looked forward towards where her arrow was going to fire. She took in a deep, slow breath as she released the arrow yet remained in the same position as it flew free. There was a loud thud as the arrow pierced through the target some 150 feet away from her, this caused her to slowly bring her hands down as she pulled her feet back together and bowed towards the 4 judges that had been watching her. Turning, Fujimura left the stage as another stepped up to do what she had just done... or attempt too anyway. As she left the quiet stage and moved back through the doors, she let out a soft sigh as she placed the wooden bow back where she'd kept it before moving to her seat. She sat back down and closed her eyes, bowing her head slightly as she folded her hands together in what might look like an upside-down
triangle and she began meditating. It would be a long time before she got up to fire her second, third, or even fourth shot. What, exactly, was she shooting for? The honorary title of 3rd Dan. Her judges? 9th Dans. Ever since that day, her mind was wracked with horrible images and nightmares. She woke up at night screaming in terror because of him, she woke up at night in tears because of him, She woke up at night with her bow drawn because of him. He had taken everything from her, he'd haunted her mind and dreams for years... And she didn't even understand why he took her Parents from her.

Then, it happened, her concentration lapsed and an image flashed through her head and she grabbed her head as her eyes opened and her breathing hastened. Fujimura had been practicing Kyudo for a very long time, and had met an 8th Dan Sensei... the only person to know about her night terrors. And as her breathing quickened and got heavier, the man walked into the room from behind her. She felt heavy, but gentle, hands grasp her shoulders and she couldn't help but relax into them as her eyes closed and tears formed. The man said nothing to her, he knew what was clawing at her and needed to neither say nothing nor for her to say anything. Fujimura stood up and wrapped her arms around his shoulders as she simply let the tears come, and in turn her Sensei gently embraced her but continued to say nothing. In times like these, he'd learned it was simply best for her to let it out rather than bottle it up like she had for so many years. She stayed like this for several minutes, when she pulled away he quickly placed a finger over her mouth and smiled at her.

"Shhh. No more crying." Was all he said to her, Fujimura's face was red with tear streaks but she nodded as she wiped them away. He sat her back down and gently began to message her shoulders to help her relax as she went back into her meditation.

The First thing she learned about Kyudo was;

Shen


Zen


Bi

Which stood for Truth, Virtue, and Beauty. When put together, it made the core concept behind Kyudo; That when an Archer shoots correctly and with Virtuous Attitude and Spirit, The Archers form is so naturally beautiful that their arrow will always strike the mark. But of course, this could not be done without other things as well.


Mushin, which is a completely clear state of mind and;


Shaho-Hassetsu, The eight steps of shooting a Bow and Arrow.

It was her turn again it seemed, and as she stood to take her bow her Sensei placed a single hand on her shoulder as if to tell her something though no words came from his mouth. Fujimura, however, knew full well what he was telling her and she nodded. "I know Sensei..." Was all she said as she moved forward to enter the stage once more. Slowly she took her position and closed her eyes... but paused. She took a look out at the target before turning to the judges. "Can I have the lights turned off please?" This caught the attention of everyone. It was once said, that a Master of Kyudo... Someone who was full intune with their spirit, could shoot their target with perfect accuracy... In the dark. "Please Sensei's, Turn off the lights. She asked again, though more of a demand this time. However, they complied and the lights were turned off. Once more, Fujimura closed her eyes as her feet were slowly moved outwards and turned to face in a 60 Degree angle from her center. Slowly she stabilized her torso, making sure her back was straight and posture perfect. Raising her hands once more, slower this time, she kept her eyes closed as she could feel her Reiatsu slowly pouring into her arrow. She could feel Reishi, gathering at her finger tips and along her bow as though she were forming her own bow... though she wasn't... Not intentionally. Her breathing was slow and gentle as she slowly and gradually drew the bow, bringing it down to rest perfectly at the center of her cheek. Once it was fully drawn, she could feel the Reiatsu and Reishi that drew closer and closer to her. By the time she got close to ready to fire her shot, the Reiatsu practically danced in a perfectly sync'd manner. She felt the Reishi burning into her hand as it encased the bow and burned it to pieces, her own Reishi bow the same shape as the bow that had once been in her hands. She took in a deep, slow breathing as she allowed herself and her bow to, essentially, become one. Reaching what the Masters called Mushin. She released the arrow, she could feel everything as though it were going in slow motion. She felt the Reishi burn against her cheek as the arrow flew from the bow, however there was no sound even a few moments later when the arrow should've connected with something.

She held her position regardless, her breathing was heavy and shaky and her body was trembling. White Reiatsu slowly swirled around her before someone shouted for the lights to be turned back on. Her eyes were unblinking, locked onto the target in front of her and when they looked to try and see where the arrow had landed? Well... The center of the Target was gone.. Not that she'd pierced through it, but simply gone. The arrow was lodged almost completely into the dirt that was behind the target, her Sensei came up to her gently grasping her arm as he tried to lower it... But couldn't. Her body refused to move and her eyes... They were almost as though she were in a trace-like state. "Fujimura..." He said softly, but no response. "Fujimura!" He said again, with a more firm tone this time... But nothing happened. Then, she collapsed. He was quick to move to grab her, holding her up though barely as others came rushing over to help. She was carried slowly into the backroom and laid down, and as they looked around they noticed her bow... was gone. Some thought she'd dropped it but when they went to look... It wasn't there. Her cheek had a long burn streak where the arrow usually rested before it was fired, and the hand she used to grasp the bow too was burned rather severely. The two finger tips where she held the end of the arrow shaft also had severe burns. Everyone was baffled, All that had remained of her Bow... Was the arrow that was fired from it.

It took her almost an hour before she regained consciousness, looking up as her eyes slowly opened and things faded into view. The first thing she saw was her Sensei who had been watching over her the entire time since she'd fainted. "What is the last thing you remember?" He asked her as he noticed her waking up and it took her a moment but she did eventually reply "The last thing.... I remember... I was getting ready to fire my bow...." This made her Sensei blink a few times as though it was unbelievable or impossible, yet somehow happened. "I... see... I think you entered a trance-like state because even after you fired it you didn't blink or move for several seconds... but then you collapsed and... now you're here" She tried sitting up during his speech but he didn't allow her too.