Virginia Kyudo Renmei
Dedicated to Providing an
Understanding and Instruction of
Kyudo
Traditonal Japanese Archery
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IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
It is with great pleasure to announce the Capital Area Budokai (CAB) has decided on a facility to allow resumption of practice for its current martial art groups. It is located on the second floor of the Cherrydale Volunteer Fire Department (CDFD), 3900 Lee Highway, Arlington, VA. For Kyudo, the space will only allow for Makiwara practice. But, it will still allow for the practice of all the associated formalities. So, serious Kyudo practice can still be accomplished. The facility has to undergo an unscheduled repair. But, the delay in starting practice is not anticipated to take a long time. An announcement will be made here when practice is to begin. Practice at the Fredricksburg, VA - Spotsylvania location will continue.
Kyudo ( )
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.
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).
It currently has about four dozen members, equally divided between Virginia and New York/New Jersey.
The VKR is recognized by the International Kyudo Federation (IKYF) through its membership of the American Kyudo Renmei (AKR). It adheres to the ANKF standards for both ceremonial movements and shooting. Our style emphasizes Reishakei or ceremonial shooting, but students of all styles are welcome to practice with us.
The VKR "Mon" (Crest) is that of the Kitajima family and displays the kuwai (arrowhead) plant in its design.
We use it because the style of Kyudo taught at the VKR comes to us (through intermediate teachers) from the Dojo of Sensei Yoshio Kitajima of Kunitachi City, Tokyo, Japan. This "Mon" is also used out of respect for Kitajima-sensei's commitment to the sincere practice of Kyudo.