Kyudo is an elegant, ceremonial, non-combative method of shooting the traditional Japanese bow (yumi) and arrow (ya).  It requires, and therefore develops, a balanced body that works in concert with a peaceful mind.  Often refers to as “The Way of the Bow (or Path),” it takes a lifetime to travel. 

 

Early progress in the basic form of Kyudo eventually gives way to deeper insights into specific details.  Each successive insight leads the student to a greater appreciation of the depth, subtlety and sincerity of the Kyudo experience. 

 

One of Japan’s oldest, purest martial arts, today Kyudo is practiced by men and women throughout the world.

 

Virginia Kyudo Renmei (VKR)

The organization was originally established on September 10, 2001, as the Northern Virginia Kyudo Kai, and affliliated with the North Carolina Kyudo Renmei (NCKR).  It attained renmei status on August 1, 2009, as the Virginia Kyudo Renmei.  

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On June 6, 2019, the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporate Commission issued a Certificate of Incorporation to the VKR certifying it as the Virginia Kyudo Renmei, Incorporation (VKR, Inc). The purposes of the Corporation are exclusively non-profit as defined under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code.

 

The head instructor is: William “Bill” Reid, who holds the rank of 5th Dan.  He is a student of Dan DeProspero, Renshi, 6th Dan, head instructor of the NCKR. Affiliated with the VKR is the New York/New Jersey (NY/NJ) Kyudo Kai which is under the instructorship of Fumiko Takeda, a 5th Dan (Renshi).