Kyudo, the "way of the bow," is the Japanese martial art of archery. Kyudo originated with the samurai class of feudal Japan, and is derived from combat-style archery. Kyudo, particularly horseback archery, or yabusame, along with Iaido, the way of the sword, were considered the highest disciplines of the samurai martial arts.
With the introduction of firearms to Japan, the yumibow, or bow, was no longer the primary weapon of war. Under the influence of Japanese religions, combat archery evolved into Kyudo as practiced today.
This user guide addresses only the practices taught in the Heki Ryu Bishu Chikurin-ha school of Zenko International. Heki Ryu Bishu Chikurin-ha is distinct from most other forms of Kyudo, placing more emphasis on meditation than on hitting the target.
In 1980, by invitation of The Venerable Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, a Tibetan meditation master and founder of Shambhala International and Naropa University, Kanjuro Shibata XX came to the United States from Japan to teach Kyudo. Together they founded Ryuko Kyudojo (Dragon-Tiger Kyudo Practice Hall) in Boulder, Colorado. All Kyudojos established by Kanjuro Shibata XX are governed by Zenko International.
Jinko Kyudojo is the only Zen Archery dojo in New Mexico and one of only a dozen in the US. Jinko is the 22nd international Kyudojo of Kanjuro Shibata XX.
Jinko Kyudojo was founded by Tanya Epp in 1996. The Santa Fe dojo was given the title of "Jinko," meaning God-Tiger. Jinko Kyudojo has been active since 1996.