Kyudo, the ancient Japanese art of archery, has roots that are more than 2,000 years old. While the practice involves shooting an arrow at a physical target, its deeper objective is to eliminate distractions, overcome mental obstacles, and achieve harmony with one’s surroundings. These principles are highly applicable in business, where staying focused on goals is the key to success or failure. This article explores the core tenets of kyudo and demonstrates how they can be effectively applied in business settings.
The Way of the Bow
At a temple in Kyoto at dawn, the temperature is -2 degrees, and it is snowing. A sheet of white moves up and down, to the left and right, in the unpredictable winter wind.
A lone archer stands at one end of a courtyard, 60 meters from the oomato, the target on a wooden stand. After fixing his gaze on the distant target, the archer slowly pulls the bow’s string back until it is fully drawn, taught with tension. Then, the archer remains motionless, waiting. One second, two, three, four.
Suddenly, the temple bell rings. The archer releases the arrow and it flies toward the target at 200 kilometers per hour.
The archer remains fixed on the target as the bell keeps ringing. The arrow hits the bullseye and then remains motionless in the falling snow.
Core Practice and Philosophy
Kyudo is one of Japan’s most traditional martial arts. Meaning the “way of the bow,” it involves using the yumi (a bow) to shoot arrows made with bamboo shafts at a mato (target). It is based on a very ritualized approach to archery with carefully prescribed steps for each part of the arrow shooting process, including:
- the stance (ashibumi)
- readying the body (dozukuri)
- readying the bow (yugamae)
- raising the bow (uchiokoshi)
- commencing the draw (hikiwake)
- concluding the draw (kai)
- releasing the arrow (hanare)
- exhibiting zanshin; and
- lowering the bow (yudaoshi).
Kyudo is different than archery typically practiced in the West because, rather than emphasizing hitting the target, the main objective is personal improvement and spiritual growth. This growth comes by increasingly improving one’s technique and overcoming the various distractions and states of mind that cause one’s attention to drift and the target to be missed. As the archer travels farther and farther down the path of kyudo, they gradually reach a state where they “become the target,” and the distance between the intention and the objective is eliminated.
The core ideas of kyudo have many applications in business.
The core ideas of kyudo have many applications in business, which, in essence, is a constant process of setting and trying to reach goals. Reaching these goals is challenging, not only because of external factors but also because of the difficulty involved in remaining focused and eliminating distractions.
Rei (Proper Etiquette)
Concept overview. Rei, or proper etiquette, is an essential part of kyudo. Respect for the bow, the arrows, the dojo, and fellow kyudo practitioners is fundamental. At the core of rei is the deep realization of the importance of the world around us to who we are and what we do: the arrow could not be shot if someone did not make the bow; the way of the bow could not be traveled without obstacles and teachers; the discipline of kyudo could not be practiced if it had not been developed over thousands of years.
The core of rei is the deep realization of the importance of the world around us to who we are and what we do.
Application to work. Rei at the workplace involves expressing appreciation for the many factors and people who influence our lives, not only while sitting at a desk and carrying out work assignments but also regarding the broader effort to grow professionally and use one’s professional skills to positively impact the world.
This can include expressing appreciation for:
- the fact that one has a job and the often great deal of effort that was made by many people over many years to make the job possible;
- the efforts of colleagues to make the business successful
- the clients and other people who are involved in supporting a business; and
- even obstacles and competitors that make us stronger, more agile, and more innovative.
Seisha Hitchuu (Correct Shooting, Certain Hit)
Concept overview. Seisha hitchuu means “correct shooting, certain hit.” This concept reflects the idea that the arrow will naturally hit the target when an archer’s shooting technique is correct and is based on proper posture, focus, and mental clarity. The implication of seisha hitchuu is that success does not come only from a mastery of technical skills but rather from a deeper alignment between one’s outer activity and inner state of mind.
Application to work. This teaching that correct results come from correct technique has great application in business. While it is true that sometimes business success results from serendipitous or random events, more often than not, it results from carefully prepared practice and methods. For example:
- successful fundraising results from a well-designed capital raising process with strong market analysis, investor research, and investor contact procedures
- successful client development results from having a well-designed business development process built on a strong spirit of service; and
- getting great employees is the result of a carefully designed employee search process.
Correct results come correct preparation and execution of the techniques that lead to results.
The core lesson of seisha hitchuu is that rather than hoping for specific results, it is essential to build a system that increases the probability that those results will be achieved.
Kihaku (Spirit or Vital Force)
Concept overview. The concept of kihaku refers to an archer’s inner vitality and energy. This goes beyond the mental will to do something and, more broadly, refers to the life force that brings that willpower to life and directs it at a process of thinking or activity. This life force rises and falls and is expressed in everything we do, from how we think, what we say, and how we move. In kyudo, this life force is gathered and focused on the preparation of the bow and reflected in the flight of the arrow.
Application to work. The work we do and how we do it is a direct reflection of our inner spirit. This spirit often rises and falls based on our internal state of mind or external conditions. For example, the kihaku of a person may be very high when assigned to an exciting new project but may fall once the project begins to face difficulties.
Increased energy immediately creates an awareness of possibility, a greater degree of engagement with work, and a desire to raise the bar of what is possible.
Some specific examples are:
- not passively reacting to situations at work but rather pressing forward to make things happen
- not being trapped by roadblocks but constantly seeking solutions;
- aggressively taking advantage of market opportunities;
- advancing toward goals even when work or market dynamics create high levels of work inertia; and
- rallying team members and clients not to give up when conditions are challenging.
Shugyou (Discipline and Cultivation)
Concept overview. Shugyou is the concept of training as a form of spiritual and mental self-cultivation. In kyudo, the practitioner’s journey of continuous improvement, reflection, and refinement of technique is a lifelong path of self-discipline and personal growth. It is a journey that has no end.
The path to improvement is a journey that has no end.
Application to work. This is extremely important in business because every business ability is capable of continuous, lifelong improvement. All of the most basic business skills, such as market analysis, product design, and communicating with colleagues and clients can never truly be mastered because new challenges constantly arise that require new solutions or new applications of old ones. While it takes a great deal of courage and perseverance to get better every day, it is this effort, often comprised of tiny steps forward and many setbacks, that often leads to very large competitive advantages.
Kokoro (Heart)
Concept overview. Kokoro represents the essence of the archer’s mind and spirit. In kyudo, technical skill alone is insufficient to hit the target of self-improvement; the heart and spirit must be calm and focused so the objective can remain firmly in view. Hitting should not lead to joy any more than missing the target leads to sadness. This view encourages emotional stability and inner peace, fostering the idea that spiritual readiness and balance are as critical as physical precision and a means unto themselves.
Business application. The core application of this concept in business is to strive to achieve a state of mind that is increasingly less affected by work circumstances and remains balanced. This is very well reflected in lines of the famous poem “If” by Rudyard Kipling that praises the ability to “meet with Triumph and Disaster and treat those two Imposters just the same.”
Setbacks are inevitable at work, but if one can keep a balanced heart and mind, the time required to recover from the setback is often considerably less than if one allows the setback to define a business’s sense of how good it is and what it can do. Similarly, becoming overly elated by good results can cause one to let their guard down and be blindsided by risks.
Mushin (No-Mind)
Concept overview. Mushin is also a core concept in many martial arts. The literal translation of mushin is “no heart,” but a more accurate translation, at least in the West, is “no-mind” because it better captures the influence of our thought processes on what we do. In a state of mushin, one carries out an activity without getting overly drawn into one component of that activity, maintaining the flexibility to react in the most advantageous way.
For example, when cooking, there is a natural tendency for one’s mental energies to be directed at cooking and not to be conscious of other things. While this can be beneficial, it can also be dangerous. For example, if a martial artist is focused only on an opponent’s movements, they can easily lose awareness of the objects on the ground, which can cause them to trip. One must be aware of one’s surroundings but not to the point where that awareness or attention causes other important factors to be lost sight of.
Business application. Mushin is essential in business, where a delicate balance between states of directed focus and broader awareness must constantly be maintained. Business activities are based on many activities and dynamics and focusing too much on one part of those activities lets opportunities escape unnoticed and risks develop to the point when they are difficult to mitigate.
Zanshin (Continuing Awareness)
Concept overview. One of the critical concepts in kyudo and other martial arts is zanshin. Zanshin technically means “remaining heart.” There is a typical arc in many activities from being relaxed to increasing readiness, executing the activity, and then becoming relaxed again. In a state of zanshin, rather than relax, people remain in the same state of alertness after the act is completed that they had before it was completed.
In zanshin, the end is just a point on a continuum of a larger conception of action.
Business application. One application of zanshin in business is the concept of follow-through. A significant business transaction can require a lot of effort over a long period, and once a deal closes, there is a natural tendency to relax. While this is understandable, there may be important follow-up items that remain important to concentrate on. If these items are not followed up on, it can have many negative consequences that can jeopardize deal results. With zanshin, the end is just a point on a continuum of a larger conception of action.
Toteki Seishin (Shooting Through the Target)
Concept overview. The concept of toteki seishin literally means “shooting through the target.” It illustrates that the target is not the end point of the arrow’s journey but rather a stop along the way. At a more symbolic level, the idea is that an archer cannot consider that their learning is done once they reach the target. Rather, hitting the target is just the beginning of a process that never ends. The target is simply a door to a larger target.
In kyudo, the target is simply a door to a larger target.
Business application. Toteki seishin has multiple applications in business. One of the most important is the great importance of constant learning. Each task that is completed, rather than an end to itself, is the start of another, perhaps more challenging, learning process. Each level becomes an opportunity to build on other levels, improving at each step.
Wa (Harmony)
Concept overview. Wa emphasizes harmony within oneself and between the individual and the world. In kyudo, achieving harmony means that the archer’s actions, thoughts, and emotions perfectly align with their surroundings, allowing them to execute the shooting process with serenity and balance. Wa reflects the importance of connection and oneness in martial arts and life.
Business application. The business world is filled with constant stresses, including unexpected changes in markets, competitor actions, and the unpredictable nature of internal company dynamics. In the face of these changes, it is easy to lose mental balance which can cause different types of internal and external conflict. The concept of wa teaches us not to follow the path of conflict but rather to try to create and transmit harmony. This creates an environment that supports more unified team thinking and action and is more resistant to adverse circumstances.
Shin, Zen, Bi (Truth, Goodness, Beauty)
Concept overview. While these are very deep concepts, they can be very briefly summarized as follows
- Shin (Truth). Shin refers to the accuracy of the shot and the correctness and sincerity of the technique. In kyudo, hitting the target is secondary to the pursuit of truth, which is expressed through form, intention, and honesty of effort.
- Zen (Goodness). Zen represents purity of spirit and moral discipline. The practice of kyudo is seen as a means to cultivate inner goodness and ethical character.
- Bi (Beauty). Bi represents the aesthetic value of kyudo, where beauty arises from perfect form, precision, and harmony in movement, regardless of whether the arrow hits the target.
Business application. Each of these concepts has many business applications. Some of these applications are:
- Shin. Truth has many applications in business, including understanding market and client demands, creating products and services that address those demands. and being sincere and truthful in carrying out one’s work.
- Zen. This is very relevant to the application of a company’s core values. These should not only be listed in firm documents but practiced with one’s colleagues, business partners, and clients. It also applies to making sure that work is carried out in accordance with one’s own inner sense of what is right and good.
- Bi. This is an inspiration to continually improve the form of one’s work, work process dynamics, and the products and services one creates.
Key Article Points
- Rather than hitting the target, the key focus of kyudo is to become a better person.
- There are many core principles of such kyudo, such as rei, mushin, zanshin, kokoro and wa.
- These principles can be applied in many areas of business. The key point is that the business path, like the way of the bow, is a never-ending journey where there is always room for learning and improvement.
If you are interested in the application of the principles of kyudo to business, you might enjoy another article on this subject that is found here.
Some other articles in the Business Warrior’s Dojo illustrating the application of Japanese concepts to business are:
- the concept of kaizen and constant improvement
- the practice of kintsugi and the advantages of embracing imperfection
- five separate articles with lessons from Japan’s greatest swordsman, Musashi Miyamoto, which are found here, here, here, here and here
- the transformative power of omotenashi and the Japanese concept of service
- the unifying power of nemawashi
- Japanese tea ceremony and ichi go ichi e.
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