Who We Are

 
The Kyudo Kai of Florida is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion, study and practice of Kyudo in Florida.



Kyudo Kai of Florida Logo (mon)

Symbols are a means of bringing subtle, inner realities to a focus in outward expression.  There are two aspects to the Kyudo Renmei of Florida logo: The Three Five-pedal Sakura (Cherry) Blossom and the Ya (arrow) House.

The Three Five – Petal Sakura (Cherry) Blossom

Cherry blossoms are seen to possess natural beauty and grace. The word 'beauty' does not refer simply to the appearance of the flower; it captures the sense of dignity and strength contained within something so fragile and fleeting; like the flight of the arrow after its release from the bow. 'Grace' is a word seldom considered in our times. It can mean a variety of things: compassion, kindness, goodwill, elegance and beauty of movement. The cherry tree is also known as majestic symbol of education.

The five petals represent the five archers of the sharei( formal ceremonial shooting) seeking the Sanmi-Ittai, (the stability and unity of the three essentials [the three blossoms coming from one branch], Body, Spirit, and Bow as one body). By seeking these qualities, the archers will realize the ‘Five Virtues’. These virtues are the Confucian virtues of Benevolence, Justice, Courtesy, Wisdom and Sincerity. 

The Ya House

In the past, a few nations of the Native American woodland Indians lived in log cabin type buildings called ‘longhouses’. The buildings were not very wide, 16 to 23ft; the lengths of the buildings were up to 330ft long. Multiple generations and families (clans) lived there in these dwellings, and there were multiple longhouses in a village. This fostered, among other things, community, interconnectedness, and the younger generations were able to learn and live the wisdom of the elders.

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The Kyudo-jo is not very wide but it is long like the longhouses. We too foster community and the wisdom of Kyudo here in Florida, via dojo’s throughout Florida.   

 So, in this way, the spirit of the longhouse is incorporated into the Florida Kyudo Kai logo as the ‘Ya House’.

 

 *With one end of the bow the shooter touches the heaven with the other the earth stretched between both the string shoots the arrow into the heart of the target the visible as well as the invisible. Kyudo is therefore – expressed in the shortest possible formula - the attempt to achieve the idea of “tao” by practicing the art of archery

 *Noted on the Gako-kyudojo web site    


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