Competitive activity in Japanese traditional archery kyudo

Abstract

The article reveals the peculiarities of competitive activities in kyudo. The relevance of the research lies in the systematization of knowledge about the methods of conducting, types and organization of competitions in traditional Japanese archery – kyudo. The purpose of the work is to determine the main features of competitive activity in Japanese traditional archery. A scheme of classification of sports competitions in kyudo is proposed, which is built on the basis of established features: the level of kyudo mastery, scale, gender, shooting rituals, professional orientation, scoring form, age category of participants, tasks, nature of competition organization. Three ways of determining the winners were also revealed – tekitchusei (a system of awarding points for hitting any part of the target), tokutensei (a point system for hitting a certain area of the target) and saitensei (a scoring system that also evaluates shooting technique). 2 types of competition programs in kyudo were identified – kinteki (competition at a short distance of 28 m) and enteki (competition at a long distance of 60 m). Based on the analysis of the general rules of kyudo competitions, a comparative scheme of these programs is proposed. Some types of targets (mato) that can be used in Japanese archery are also analyzed and highlighted. It is worth noting that the targets are both black and white and colored, have different sizes, patterns, appointment etc. Among them are those used in the training of athletes, in competitive activities, in entertainment and demonstration events. The scientific work describes the constituent parts of mato.