Northern Virginia Kyudo Kai

The Northern Virginia Kyudo Kai is dedicated to the study and practice of
KYUDO -- Traditional Japanese Archery
in the Northern Virginia / Washington DC area

Who we are
NVKK Practice Sessions
Demonstrations and Seminars
Other Kyudo Sites
Contact Us

Kyudo is an elegant, ceremonial, non-combative method of shooting the traditional Japanese bow and arrow. Kyudo requires, and therefore develops, a balanced body that works in concert with a peaceful mind.

Kyudo, literally "the Way (or Path) of the Bow", is a path that takes a lifetime to travel. Early progress in the basic forms of Kyudo soon give 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 and purest martial arts, today Kyudo is practiced by men and women throughout the world.

WHO WE ARE:

The Northern Virginia Kyudo Kai (NVKK) is an affiliate organization of the North Carolina Kyudo Renmei (NCKR), and through the NCKR is recognized by the American Kyudo Renmei (AKR). The AKR operates under the auspices and authority of the All Japan Kyudo Federation (Zen Nihon Kyudo Renmei (ZNKR)) and the International Kyudo Federation (Kokusai Kyudo Renmei (IKYF)).

At the NVKK, we adhere to ZNKR 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.

Our mon -- -- is that of the Kitajima family and displays the kuwai (arrowhead) plant in its design. We use this mon because the style of Kyudo taught at the NVKK comes to us (through intermediate teachers) from the dojo of the late Kitajima Yoshio (Hanshi, 8^th dan) of Kunitachi City, Tokyo, Japan. This mon is used out of respect for Kitajima-sensei's commitment to the sincere practice of Kyudo.

As an affiliate of the North Carolina Kyudo Renmei, our sensei is Dan DeProspero (Renshi, 6^th dan) and our home dojo is the Meishin dojo located in Apex, North Carolina. This dojo is a wonderful, magical place where we of the NVKK visit to get instruction from a qualified teacher. Dan sensei himself spent many years studying Kyudo with the late Onuma Hideharu (Hanshi, 9^th dan) of Tokyo. Kitajima sensei and Onuma sensei were colleagues and their Kyudo styles very similar, so no conflict results from our involvement with these two traditions.

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NVKK PRACTICE SESSIONS:

The NVKK now has three practice locations:

THE ALEXANDRIA DOJO:

Located at 25 S. Quaker Lane, Alexandria, VA 22314-4585. This facility is the home dojo of the Capital Area Budokai (CAB), which offers instruction in a number of Japanese weapons arts. To learn more about the CAB, click here.

There are two Kyudo practices per week at the Alexandria Dojo: on Saturday afternoon from 3pm to 6pm, and on Wednesday evenings, from 7pm to 10pm.

Practices at the Alexandria dojo are indoors in a climate controlled environment. There are smooth floors and a high ceiling. This allows us to practice full, formal taihai (ceremonial movements), but the indoor location limits our shooting distance to roughly two-thirds of the full 28-meter standard. However, by using a proportionately reduced target, we can create a full and authentic Kyudo experience.

To see some pictures of us practicing at the Alexandria Dojo, click here.

THE CHÔMEI KYUDOJO in KING GEORGE, VA:

Our second practice location is in King George, Virginia (about 20 miles east of Fredericksburg). This location is on private property and currently allows for outdoor shooting (in clement weather) at the standard 28-meter distance to a standard mato. The Chômei ('Birdsong') Kyudojo is presently an uncovered platform (so we need good weather), but full taihai (ceremonial movement) is possible in a natural, wooded setting, complete with the sound of birds in the background. In time, an enclosed, traditional shajo will be here.

If you are interested in attending practices at King George only (i.e., NOT also at Alexandria), please contact the chief instructor (see the ‘contact us’ link below).

To see some pictures of us practicing at the Chōmei Kyudojo, click here.

THE NEW YORK / NEW JERSEY KYUDO CLUB:

There is now a practice location in Englewood Cliffs, NJ. To check practice times and the exact location, click here for their website, or contact the instructor, Fumiko Takada, 2nd dan, at fumisalny@hotmail.com.

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DEMONSTRATIONS AND SEMINARS

SAKURA MATSURI 2008 -- This year's Cherry Blossom Festival (Sakura Matsuri) will be held on Saturday, April 12th. Come see up perform and enjoy a day of Japanese culture.

SAKURA MATSURI 2007 -- The Northern Virginia Kyudo Kai performed a demonstration of Kyudo at DC's Cherry Blossom Festival on Saturday, 14 April 2007. We were there along with other Japanese martial and cultural arts. To see some photos of our demo click here.
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OTHER AMERICAN KYUDO SITES:

The American Kyudo Renmei is the national organization for ZNKR/IKYF-sanctioned Kyudo in America. This site provides links to other Kyudo organizations in the US.

Kyudo.com provides a wealth of information about Kyudo, the equipment we use, etc. There are also a number of links to other sites, including the Meishin Kyudojo in North Carolina, and Asahi America which provides authentic Kyudo clothing, equipment and supplies.

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The NVKK would like to hear from you. If you have questions or comments, or, better yet, if you are in the Northern Virginia/Washington DC area and wish to practice with us, please phone or e-mail for more information.

Bill Reid, Chief Instructor, 5th dan

Call: (540) 663-4226, or e-mail: wjreid@yahoo.com.

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Welcome! Our site was first put up on January 1, 2002, and gets updated as necessary.

The Northern Virginia Kyudo Kai is a non-profit, non-commercial organization whose only purpose is to advance the practice of Kyudo in the Northern Virginia/Washington DC area.