Yumi Gamae - Positioning the Yumi

	Torikake is gripping the tsurubow string with the kakeglove hand. The kake hand "addresses" the tsuru. Slide the tsuru between the thumb and fingers of the kake hand across from the first joint of the yumi, below the grip. Position the tsuru in the tsuru-michigroove at the base of the kake thumb, the groove in the thumb of the kake. Slide the kake hand up the tsuru to the yaarrow and make a firm grip between the thumb and the middle finger of the kake hand. Rest the index finger of the kake hand along and slightly below the ya. Slightly twist the kake hand toward you. Check that the fourth and fifth fingers of the kake hand are curled tightly into the palm of the hand to protect them when shooting. Check that the arms continue to be rounded in the "big tree" positionlike hugging a tree, a circular position. the kake hand across from the first joint of the yumi below the grip.

	Monomi is turning the head to gaze at the target. Turn your head to make a heart connection with and to focus on the target.

	Tenouchi is positioning the yumi hand on the yumi's grip for shooting. Pivot the arms left 45 degrees; the "big tree" position, the circle, becomes an oval. Allow the yumi to swivel in the loose yumi hand as the arms pivot. Position the yumi in the tenouchithe left hand is positioned for shooting on the yumi's grip; also the web of the hand between the thumb and index finger of the yumi hand. See Figure below. Note: The yumi and ya are now pointing at a 45 degree angle to the target.

Note: This is the tenouchi grip, the yumi hand has a loose grip on the yumi. The fingertips are on the side of the yumi grip. The wrist is up, keeping the palm off the yumi.

Teaching Story

The target calls again, like a temple bell in the distance. The head turns to the target. The heart makes a connection to the target. Circle goes to oval as you shift the yumi to prepare for shooting.

Additional Instructions, tips and observations

When performing Torikake as a new student you may literally slide your thumb along the tsuru when you are addressing the tsuru. This allows you to feel when the tsuru finds the tsuru-michi, the groove in the kake thumb. You may test the connection by gently tugging on the tsuru.
After you slide up to make connection with the ya, continue to test the tsuru connection to the tsuru-michi.
Remember to apply rosin to the kake, especially the thumb and middle finger. The rosin ensures a connection that does not slip.
Make sure that the connection between the kake thumb is generally centered on the curve of middle finger. If the thumb is too close to the top of the middle finger when drawing the thumb may slip, like "snapping" your thumb. When this happens you often will then be drawing the tsuru with your middle finger.
When the circle goes to oval, be sure that the yumi hand grip is loose enough to let the wrist relax inward. Do not hold the yumi so tightly that your wrist bends outward.
Do not collapse your oval, your elbows. The kake must remain in the proper position for the tsuru to stay in the tsuru-michi. Collapsing the elbows results in a change of orientation for the kake and the tsuru can slip out of the tsuru-michi.

2.3: Yumi Gamae - Positioning the Yumi