Kyūjutsu
/kʲɯː.dʑɯ.tsɯ/noun
The traditional Japanese art and practice of archery, especially archery associated with the samurai.
Did you know?Kyūjutsu was not merely target practice: in samurai culture, archery could be practiced as a moral and spiritual discipline, later influencing the meditative tradition of Kyūdō.
Etymological Timeline
Old Japanese
Japanese
yumi
“Bow; the traditional Japanese bow”
Classical Japanese
Japanese
kyū
“Bow; the Sino-Japanese reading of 弓”
Middle Chinese
Middle Chinese
弓
“Bow; the source of the Sino-Japanese reading kyū”
Classical Japanese
Japanese
jutsu
“Art, technique, or method; the Sino-Japanese reading of 術”
Medieval Japanese
Japanese
弓術 (kyūjutsu)
“The technique or art of archery”
Modern English
English
kyūjutsu
“A Japanese martial tradition centered on archery”