Saigū-Yumi

literally Priestess Bow

The Saigu-Yumi 祭宮 弓 is a symmetrical bow based on the Mongolian recurved bow; it is not to be confused with the asymmetrical Japanese Great Bow or War Bow, (which is up to nine feet long, whose handle is off center, 1/3 of the way up from the bottom end). The Bow is said to be one of the oldest and most sacred Japanese weapons; the first Emperor Jimmu is always depicted carrying a bow.

In Japan, a Miko will carry a Saigu-Yumi and a set of Hamaya as part of their religious regalia. In Former times, they were used quite literally in defense of the temple, just as Kikyou and Kaede do in the Inuyasha anime. During times of unrest, brigands and thieves were known to raid temples and shrines without respect. It became common for priests, priestesses, monks, and pilgrims to keep and train with various weapons to defend themselves against attack. The Yumi, Naganata, Spear, Shakujou (staff) and even sharpened bamboo poles were used to good effect. It was also common for soldiers (especially those of higher rank) to give up the Katana (sword) and retire to a monastic life, but retain a weapon for defense of his temple and his village that was suitable for a former samurai.

In Japan, it is universally believed that merely the twanging of a bowstring will frighten ghosts and evil spirits from the house. Further, even one Hamaya which has been blessed by a Shinto Priest is believed to carry great protection and spiritual power. As a result, Hamaya are sold even today at shrines as Engimono (good-luck charms). Hamaya and Hamayumi ("demon-breaking bows") were often given as gifts to celebrate the first New Year of a male baby's life.

The origin of the demon-killing bow is related at www.zenko.org/bows.htm:

"According to legend, in 1103 A.D. the Imperial palace was possessed by an evil demon, causing the emperor great anxiety and suffering. When high priests had failed in their efforts to dispel the demon an archer was summoned with the hope that his bow and arrow could rid the palace of this plague. He killed the demon with the first arrow and his bow was designated as a Hama- yumi (evil destroying bow)."

"Since then hama-yumi have been used in Buddhist and Shinto rituals of purification. (For example- Shihobarai- the Purification of the Four Directions) and smaller replicas have been placed in shrines and people's homes for protection against the forces of evil and for purification. They are also believed to have the ability to attract vast good fortune. Hama-yumi replicas are scale versions of a Japanese Bow coated with urushi, wrapped in fine rattan and accented in gold leaf. They are displayed in a stand along with two arrows tipped with yanone (traditional warrior tips), one representing male and the other female."

Further, here are some excerpts of a talk concerning THE EVIL DESTROYING YUMI (also found at http://www.zenko.org/yumi_talk.htm ) given by Kanjuro Shibata, Sensei, master of Kyudo:

The Hama-yumi or Evil-Destroying yumi is used as a means of purification. To purify the environment and your own spirit. The Buddhist image of Amitabha is sometimes shown holding a yumi and ya. Why is the Buddhist ideal of peace and compassion connected with violent weapons? Because they are not weapons of violence. They are weapons of purifcation. About 700 years ago, a demon had appeared at the Imperial palace. It came out at night and made the emperor ill. A skilled archer named Yorimasu Minamoto was sent to the palace and he killed the demon with the first arrow. The emperor regained his health and Yorimasu was promoted. This was the beginning of Hama-yumi. What can we learn from Hama-yumi?

They are for cleaning the mind. The Shihobarai was originally performed with Hama-yumi. Everyone is surrounded by "hungry ghosts" - temptations, desires, negative thoughts and so on. The haya, first arrow, is to exorcize these hungry ghosts. The otoya, second arrow, symbolizes welcoming happiness since one has been purified. How is all this connected to kyudo? Kyudo is based on strict rules of ettiquette. It is competition with oneself. In sports one trys to be a champion, but kyudo is not like that. The target is not a target. It is a mirror of your own mind.

People have seven basic emotions or defilements. Happiness, anger, greed, expectation, sadness, fear, and surprise. The aim of kyudo is to cut through these defilements in order to experience mu, emptiness. Many people pactice meditation, but after fifteen or twenty minutes one becomes restless and wants to be finished. Kyudo is standing Zen. All of these hopes and desires and thinking while you are drawing the yumi, such as "I want to hit the target, I want to have beautiful style," will cause the ya fly of somewhere else. Know yourself. Know your mind first and then you can practice kyudo. If your mind is right you will hit the target naturally. It is the same in your whole life, not only in kyudo. If you are always wondering about the target or the result, nothing good can be accomplished. If you always look at yourself first - your own feet, your own basis, then things will naturally go right.

per Robert G. Denig, (Journal of Combative Sport, Mar 2001) at ejmas.com/jcs/jcsart_denig_0301.htm

"Yumi-ya, bow and arrow, is used as synonymous with arms. And though a Samurai might swear by his sword, yet the most binding oath (and the one used officially) was always sealed by solemnly breaking in twain an arrow as he pronounced the words of the oath."

The bow is featured prominantly in the hands of Japanese deities. The guardian deities at the gates of Shinto temples, called Udajin and Sadaijin, are armed with bows. At the temple of the Sun Goddess at Ise, (one the most important Shinto Temples), one finds Tajikara (the strong-handed man) whose emblem is the bow. Tajikara is one of the highest ranking deities, second in importnce to Amatersau.