Kyudo is the Japanese martial art of archery. It began in the 7th century as a way of combat by Samurai. However, over time it transformed into ritual, becoming less about looking outward towards a target, and more about looking inward towards spirit. So much so that witnessing this young woman practice Kyudo felt more akin to witnessing prayer than fight. There was this ineffable stillness to her actions that reminded me of something Miles Davis once said: “The real music is in the silence, and all the notes are only framing this silence.” That’s Kyudo: silence framed by movement. Maybe one day I’ll shoot pictures like she shoots arrows.
