Kyudo Romania

It has been exactly one month since our Cluj-Napoca practitioners had the distinct honor of bringing the Way of the Bow to the vibrant Japan Culture Festival. Within the elegant, historic walls of the Casino Urban Culture Centre and against the backdrop of Central Park, we shared the quiet discipline of Kyudo.

On April 18th, the Japanese Garden in Herăstrău bloomed not just with sakura, but with the spirit of centuries-old tradition. Our Bucharest practitioners were deeply honored to share the quiet discipline of Kyudo at this year’s grand Hanami celebration.
As the spring breeze scattered the cherry blossoms, the drawing of the bow offered a silent reflection. Like the ephemeral sakura, a released arrow exists perfectly only for a fleeting second, yet its spirit—zanshin—lingers long after.
A profound thank you to the community, the Embassy of Japan, and the city for gathering together and fostering such a beautiful, living bridge between cultures.

Discover the Art of Kyudo! 🏹
Join us at our dedicated stand in the beautiful Japanese Garden in Herăstrău Park! ⛩️✨
Whether you’re a martial arts enthusiast or simply curious about traditional Japanese archery, stop by to discover the elegance, focus, and discipline of the Japanese bow.
We can’t wait to welcome as many of you as possible, so bring your friends and family along for a great time! 🎌

Kyudo Romania recently concluded an intensive National Seminar in Bucharest, bringing together practitioners from our Bucharest, Iași, and Timișoara dojos for rigorous 稽古 (Keiko - practice).

Under the esteemed guidance of Sensei Ovidiu Gyarmath (Renshi 5th Dan), and our founder, Traian Dascălu (5th Dan), the event was dedicated entirely to the mechanics of the bow.

We broke down our technique to its core components, meticulously analyzing our 体配 (Taihai - basic movements) and the eight stages of shooting, 射法八節 (Shahō Hassetsu). We placed a heavy emphasis on the intricate details of 手の内 (Tenouchi - the grip of the bow) and 取懸け (Torikake - gripping the string).

True 射技 (Shagi - physical technique) is not simply understood intellectually; it must be forged through relentless repetition. The path to mastery requires us to confront the physical reality of our form, discovering that profound clarity comes from the daily grind of correcting one’s movements. By immersing ourselves in this demanding work, we reaffirmed that perfect technique is built step by step, through sheer dedication and discipline.
We thank all participants for their powerful work ethic and commitment to the exacting path of 射 (Sha - shooting).

On Saturday and Sunday(14-15 Febr), a seminar dedicated to Kyudo beginners took place at the UBB athletics hall in Cluj-Napoca.
There were two full days in which those registered had the opportunity to attend Mochimato Sharei demonstrations, to receive new information but also to learn how to shoot with a Japanese Yumi, in a word to be initiated in Kyudo.
Among the new students, there were also members of the Kyudo club in Cluj-Napoca, who already hold Kyudo degrees, who were willing to experience the beginner state again.
We would like to thank Sensei Ovidiu Gyarmath, Renshi Godan (Bucharest), together with Daniel Gombosiu, Yondan (Timisoara) and Claudia Berghezan Gyarmath, Sandan (Bucharest) for being there for the whole Kyudo community in Cluj and for bringing a special state of learning. There was a lot of organizational work for which we are grateful to our Kyudo colleagues, Horia Botos and Alexandra Botos, as well as to the other practitioners who participated to make the course run smoothly.
We would like to thank the instructors for their effort and teachings but also to the students for the determination and curiosity with which they approached the course! See you next time !

Setsubun marks the division of seasons, the true arrival of spring. Although the calendar date was February 3rd, the work of purification knows no time. Today, we gathered at the Dojo to align our spirits with this new beginning.

In Kyudo, the target is not an enemy to be destroyed, but a mirror of the self.

Today, we faced 9 targets representing the Kokoro no Oni (Demons of the Heart). We stood against the “Blue Kami”—the cold shadows of calculation and vanity—and the “Red Kami”—the burning flames of anger and greed.
With every release of the arrow, we sought 祓 (Harae) not to fight these aspects, but to wash them away. We polish the mirror of the heart so it may reflect clearly once again.

With deep gratitude to those who organized the event and guided us along this path:
Smarandoiu Christine and Silviu Sturzu.

Honoring the clarity of today’s archers:
🥇 1st Place: Silviu Sturzu
🥈 2nd Place: Otilia Fiastru
🥉 3rd Place: Christine Smarandoiu
We step into spring with lighter hearts and focused minds. The Dojo is clear.

Today, February 3rd, is Setsubun!
On Sunday, at the Dojo, we will celebrate Setsubun by shooting arrows at targets representing demons that symbolize our bad habits (Kokoro no Oni). We do this to start the spring season spiritually cleansed and ready for change! Only through cleansing can you introduce something new.
In addition to the symbolic event, the exercise is a physical one. During the 3 hours of training, each of us must shoot arrows at the 9 demons, one after the other, and hit the center of the target. In this way, we practice both our accuracy and endurance. Gambate!

The story of Setsubun.
The legend behind Mamemaki (bean throwing) has its roots in the belief that the transition between seasons is a time when the spirit world and the physical world overlap, allowing "evil" to infiltrate. The practice originated in the Heian period (794-1185) and is linked to a specific folkloric encounter.
The legend of the demon and the beans:
According to popular legend, long ago, a powerful demon appeared near the city of Kyoto and began terrorizing a village. To stop the destruction, a brave priest or deity (depending on the version) was told to use roasted soybeans to blind the demon.
The logic behind the use of beans is based on a Japanese pun (pun):
Mame (豆): the word for "beans."
Ma-me (魔滅): a homonym meaning "demon destruction."

By throwing these "demon-destroying" beans, the villagers managed to drive away the evil spirits.
Although the story began as a serious exorcism ritual practiced at the Imperial Court (known as Tsuina), over the centuries it has evolved into today's family event:
The symbolic meaning of Oni (demon) - Represents bad luck, greed, anger, and "evil" from the past year.
Beans - symbolic meaning - Represents purification and the vitality of the harvest.
Masks - symbolic meaning - Traditionally worn by the head of the family or the person with the same Chinese zodiac sign as the current year.
Modern interpretation: Today, the "story" refers less to literal demons and more to psychological cleansing. Demons symbolize internal struggles, such as laziness or bad temper.
By shouting "Oni wa soto!", people metaphorically throw away their bad habits to start the spring season with a fresh start.

The Romanian Kyudo community is pleased to announce that all 12 participants in the recent Video Shinsa have successfully obtained their respective ranks. We warmly acknowledge their sustained effort and commitment to correct practice.
In kyūdō, a dan is not merely a personal achievement, but a formal recognition that one’s practice has reached a certain standard of correctness, consistency, and attitude. These results honour many hours of quiet, disciplined keiko (稽古).

We extend our sincere gratitude to Ovidiu Gyarmath (5-dan, Renshi) for his continuous guidance, and to Mr. Traian Dascălu (5-dan) for his long-standing support and for laying the foundations of kyūdō practice in Romania.

On the occasion of its 50th anniversary, the Japanese Language and Literature Department, part of the Faculty of Oriental Languages and Literatures at the University of Bucharest, hosted a special and informative lecture.
The presentation was given by Ovidiu Gyarmath, Renshi Godan, in front of students from the Japanese department and other participants. The lecture focused on the perception of time in Kyudo practice and the concept of Ma (間) – the meaningful interval or conscious space between movements and moments. Sensei Ovidiu Gyarmath masterfully explained and demonstrated how we perceive time in the conscious practice of Kyūdō, as well as meaningful details about Hanare - the paradox of Zero time.
We would like to express our sincere thanks to Anca Focșăneanu, head of the Japanese language and literature department, for her generous invitation and organizational support. We would also like to thank the dedicated team of volunteers – Cami, Claudia, Codi, Sasha, and Andrei – whose invaluable participation ensured the success of this memorable event.