Emiko Kyudojo

We are a Japanese-archery (Kyudo) group based in Austin and Houston, Texas practicing Heki Ryu Bishu Chikurin Ha.

About Us

We are a kyudojo affiliated with Zenko International, the umbrella organization of Heki Ryu Bishu Chikurin Ha style kyudo as taught by the Shibata family. Our sensei is Shibata Kanjuro XXI who is a 21st generation master bowmaker, archer, and a 4th generation official bowmaker to the Emperor of Japan.

Shibata-sensei lives and works in Kyoto, Japan, but regularly travels to teach workshops in the United States and Europe.

History

Disillusioned with the direction of much of kyudo practice in Japan - with its emphasis on hitting the target, rank and prizes - Sensei's father, Shibata Kanjuro XX found a kindred spirit in Tibetan meditation master Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, who first invited him to the West. Together they shared the vision of kyudo practice as a form of meditation and training in the principles of enlightened warriorship.

It is that view that is followed today, with kyudo taught without any ranking system or any particular emphasis on hitting the target. Using only traditional equipment, students begin by learning the Shichido, the seven basic movements involved in releasing the arrow.

Contact

Please feel free to contact us with any question you might have, as well as to sign up to observe a class at either of our locations.

Austin Location

Headed by Toby Bernal

Our Austin location meets the 2nd & 4th Sunday at 9am

Houston Location

Headed by Nestor Topchy

Our Houston location meets the 1st & 3rd Sundays at 9am

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Gallery

Toby practicing at a retreat in New Mexico. Yasuo talks to Shibata-sensei about a yumi repair. Louis practicing in Austin, Texas. Jeremy practicing at the kyudojo in Boulder, Colorado. Louis, Nestor, and Toby practicing at the makiwara in Austin, Texas.
Jason practicing in New Mexico. Toby Bernal explains kyudo at a demonstration at the Austin Zen Center's Spring Fair. Louis practicing at Zenko kyudojo in Boulder, Colorado. Toby and Shibata-sensei at Zenko kyudojo in Boulder, Colorado. Toby demonstrates makiwara practice at the Austin Zen Center's Spring Fair. Nestor practicing at the makiwara in Austin, Texas.
Group photo at a workshop in Houston, Texas Makiwara at the practice space in New Mexico. Many many yumi from all across the country. Shibata-sensei repairs a yumi while Jason, John, and Yasuo look on. Shibata-sensei repairs a yumi while Jason, John, and Yasuo look on. Louis practicing at the makiwara in Austin, Texas. Nestor (center) practicing with others at a retreat in New Mexico.