Talk:Yumi
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[edit] Old Info
A collection of information that can be added to the article. Everything here needs a lot of work, so I will leave the actual incorporation to others.
Bow lengths:
| Height of Archer | Arrow Length | Suggested Bow Length |
| < 150 cm | < 85 cm | Sansun-tsumari (212 cm) |
| 150 - 165 cm | 85 - 90 cm | Namisun (221 cm) |
| 165 - 180 cm | 90 - 100 cm | Nisun-nobi (227 cm) |
| 180 - 195 cm | 100 - 105 cm | Yonsun-nobi (233 cm) |
| 195-205 cm | 105 - 110 cm | Rokusun-nobi (239 cm) |
| > 205 cm | > 110 cm | Hassun-nobi (245 cm) |
Three types of yumi in common usage: bamboo (take-yumi), lacquered bamboo (urushi, shigeto), and synthetic (from fiberglass or carbon).
Urushi-yumi are generally only used for ceremonial purposes. Shigeto-yumi (which are urushi-yumi wound with strips of wood) are only used by the highest level of archers (headmasters of the large schools).
Yumi come in different pull-strengths. Beginners usually start with 10-12 kg yumi. Women generally use 16-18 kg yumi; men generally use 18-20 kg. Anything above 20 kg is considered rather strong; anything below 16 kg, weak. Take-yumi lose some pull-strength over time.
Yumi history:
| Time Period | Type of Bow | Bow Formation |
| Prehistoric | Maruki | Single piece of wood |
| c.800-900 AD | Fusetake | Wood with bamboo front |
| c.1100 AD | Sanmaeuchi | Wood with bamboo front and back |
| c.1300-1400 | Shihodake | Wood surrounded with bamboo |
| c.1550 | Sanbonhigo | Three-piece bamboo laminate core, wooden sides, bamboo front and back |
| c.1600 | Yohonhigo | Four-piece bamboo laminate core, wooden sides, bamboo front and back |
| c.1650-Modern times | Gohonhigo | Five-piece bamboo (or bamboo and wood) laminate core, wooden sides, bamboo front and back |
There are many, many parts to the bow (indeed every joint in the bamboo has its own name)--shall I (or someone else) construct an image that lists these parts?
Common superstition: A yumi should never be placed against a tree lest its (the yumi's) energy be drained.
Touching another's yumi without permission has been covered, but a small clarification: when you do have permission, you should still never touch the grip of the bow.
As for carrying the bow upright, there are plenty of times when holding it horizontal is okay. When strung, for example, it can be carried long distances by letting the string rest between your fingers and thumb, balancing the yumi on the horizontal plane.
...where are your sources for all this information? --J.B. 14:10, September 8, 2005 (UTC)
- The tabulated data comes from "Kyudo" by Onuma Hideharu, and Dan and Jackie DeProspero. The rest is personal experience from being a student of Mr. DeProspero.
