Glossary

A B C D E F G H I J K M N O R S T U W Y Z

A

ariake no nerai (有明の狙い) – another word for hangetsu no nerai
ashibumi (足踏み) – stage one of the hassetsu - foot placement
ashitsukebushi (足付節) – the joint just above the yazuridō on the todake side of a takeyumi
ataru (中る) – to hit following correct shooting form (cf. seishahitchū)
ateru (中てる) – to hit following incorrect shooting form, a meaningless hit
ateyumi (中て弓) – a person who ignores the basics of correct shooting, and is only interested in hitting the mato
awasebanare (合わせ離れ) – hanare without nobiai and releasing by adjusting both hands to match
azuchi (安土) – target berm in the matoba
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B

betaoshi (べた押し) – the yumi is pushed forward with the palm, with the wrist bent (cf. nakaoshi, shitaoshi)
biku (びく) – an unconscious and abrupt contraction in kai
bōshi (帽子 / 拇指) – the piece of leather on the uppermost part of the outside of the thumb on the kake
bōshikazari (帽子飾) – decorative stitching along the joint between the koshi and the bōshi on the kake, also called ichimonjikazari
bushakei (武射系) – the "traditional" form of shooting, using nisoku ashibumi and holding the ya by the yajiri in toriyumi no shisei (cf. reishakei)
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C

chijimi (縮み) – kiryoku, shoulders, elbows, etc. become slack in kai
chūdō (中胴) – a balanced, centered body posture when drawing the yumi (see godō)
chūriki (肘力 / 中力) – another term for daisan
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D

daigawa (台革) – the large flap of leather that covers the wrist on the kake
daisan (大三) – intermediate stage in hikiwake, when about half the yazuka has been drawn
dakimato (抱き的) – the ashibumi line points behind the mato (cf. shoimato)
dan (段) – a practitioner's level, awarded after successfully passing a shinsa
dekata (出肩) – the left shoulder is pushed forward in front of the body (cf. nokigata)
deki (出木) – the tsuru is too far to the left on the yumi (cf. iriki)
dō (胴) – the middle part of the yumi
dōhai (同輩) – person who has practiced as long/has the same grade as you (cf. kōhai, sempai)
dōhōki (道宝木) – wooden dowels used when preparing the nakajikake
dōjō (道場) – training hall
dōzukuri (胴造り) – stage two of the hassetsu - arranging the correct body position
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E

enbu (演武) – demonstration
enkin (遠近) – a competition where the one hitting closest to the centre of the mato wins (cf. izume)
ensō (円相) – rounded shape of the arms in yugamae (cf. yumifutokoro)
enteki (遠的) – long-distance shooting at 60 m (cf. kinteki)
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F

fudeko (筆粉) – rice ash for the bow hand, to stop the nigiri from slipping
fudekoire (筆粉入れ) – fudeko container
fukuro (袋) – bag
furoshiki (風呂敷) – wrapping cloth
fushi (節) – joint on a length of bamboo
fushidō (伏し胴) – when the body is bent forward, also called kagamudō (see godō)
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G

gakugi (額木) – transport protector for the sekiita on a takeyumi
gassaibukuro (合切袋) – bag for keeping equipment
geza (下座) – another word for shimoza
giriko (ぎり粉) – powdered resin for the kake
girikoire (ぎり粉入れ) – giriko container
gobu no tsume (五部の詰) – the correct firming of the five points - left fist, left shoulder, chest, right shoulder, right fist
godō (五胴) – the five postures - (see chūdō, soridō, fushidō/kagamudō, kakarudō/totsudō, hikidō/nokidō)
gōgushi (侯串) – target holder stake
gojūjūmonji (五重十文字) – "the five crosses" - elements of a properly constructed kai
gomuyumi (ゴム弓) – rubber sling used for practicing hikiwake
gōshurei (合手礼) – a deep zarei, with the palms touching the floor and the fingertips almost meeting in front of the knees (cf. sesshurei, shikenrei)
gyōsha (行射) – the shooting movements when drawing the yumi
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H

ha (弝) – another word for nigiri
habiki (羽引き) – drawing the yumi to clear the feathers as the finishing step of yugamae
hachibu no tsume (八部の詰) – the correct firming of the eight points - gobu no tsume plus the feet, lower back, and tanden
hadaire (肌入れ) – putting the left sleeve back on after hadanugi
hadanugi (肌脱ぎ) – removing the left sleeve when shooting while wearing wafuku
hagoki (羽ごき) – pulling out the ya from the mato in three movements
hakama (袴) – wide trousers
hakiya (掃き矢) – a released ya that scrapes along the ground before reaching the azuchi
hanakabushi (羽中節) – the joint of a takeya shaft that lies in the middle of the fletching, the fourth joint from the yajiri
hanare (離れ) – stage seven of the hassetsu - the release
hane (羽) – feather
hangetsu no nerai (半月の狙い) – aiming by cutting the mato in half with the left edge of the yazurido, also called ariake no nerai
hanshi (範士) – highest master rank (see shōgō)
hansoku (半足) – a half step
haragawa (腹皮) – the piece of (white) leather that covers the inside of the thumb on the kake (called tsutsumigawa in the Kyōhon)
haraubanare (払う離れ) – hanare that looks as if you are trying to sweep something away in front of you
hari (張り) – tension
harigao (張顔) – another word for yuminari
hashiriba (走り羽) – the top hane of a nocked ya
hassetsu (八節) – the eight stages of the shooting ritual
haya (甲矢) – the first ya
hayake (早気) – premature hanare
hazu (筈) – nock
hazu (弭) – the ends of the yumi, where the tsuru is attached
hazukammuribushi (弭冠節) – the first joint from the top on the todake side of a takeyumi
hazukobore (筈零れ) – another word for yakobore
heijōshin (平常心) – a calm, unperturbed mind
hikae (控) – the stiff part covering the upper side of the wrist on the kake, also called ichi no koshi
hikae (控) – waiting area/spectator area in the dōjō
hikaekazari (控飾) – decorative stitching along the joint between the hikae and the daigawa on the kake
hikagami (ひかがみ) – the back of the knee
hikanuyazuka (引かぬ矢束) – yazuka ippai is achieved, with correct tsumeai and nobiai in kai
hikidō (引胴) – another word for nokidō (see godō)
hikiwake (引分け) – stage five of the hassetsu - the draw
hikkakebushi (引掛節) – the first joint from the bottom on the todake side of a takeyumi
hikuyazuka (引く矢束) – overdraw
himezori (姫反り) – the uppermost reflex curve of the yumi
himezoribushi (姫反り節) – the first joint from the top on the uchidake side of a takeyumi
hineri (捻り) – inward rotation of the kake during torikake
hinerikawa (捻り皮) – the (white) piece of leather that covers the base of the forefinger on the kake
hi no wa (日の輪) – upper tsuruwa
hirakiashi (開き足) – turning on the knees
hirazuke (平付け) – the back of the right hand faces forwards in kai
hitote (一手) – a pair of arrows
hitotsumato sharei (一つ的礼) – sharei where several ite shoot at a single mato
honza (本坐) – preparation line in the shajō
hoshimato (星的) – target face with a single central spot (cf. kasumimato)
hōzuke (頬付け) – the contact of the ya to the cheek in kai, one of the six checkpoints in kai
hōzuriba (頬摺り羽) – the inner hane of a nocked ya, also called yuzuriba
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I

ichimonjikazari (一文字飾) – another word for bōshikazari
ichi no koshi (一の腹) – another word for hikae
ikasu (生かす) – lifting one knee in kiza
ikiai (息合い) – the method of breathing
iriki (入木) – the tsuru is too far to the right on the yumi (cf. deki)
ishizuki (石突き) – end protector for the yumi
issha zetsumei (一射絶命) – kyudo saying - "one shot and expire", shoot every arrow as if it were your last
issoku (一足) – one-step ashibumi
itatsuki (板付) – another word for yajiri
itsukebushi (射付節) – the joint of a takeya shaft that is closest to the yajiri
ite (射手) – archer
izume (射詰め) – a competition where the one who misses the mato is eliminated (cf. enkin)
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J

jiman (自満) – a state of fullness at the moment of hanare
jiman (持満) – the moment in kai waiting for one's seiki to become full
jōza (上座) – another word for kamiza
jundachi (順立) – shooting in a group, in order from no. 1 and up, one arrow at a time
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K

kaeya (替矢) – reserve ya for unforeseen circumstances, also called yobiya
kaeyumi (替弓) – reserve yumi for unforeseen circumstances, also called yobiyumi
kaezuru (替弦) – reserve tsuru for unforeseen circumstances, also called yobizuru
kagamudō (屈む胴) – another word for fushidō (see godō)
kai (会) – stage six of the hassetsu - full draw
kaichū (皆中) – to hit with all arrows
kaizoe (介添え) – assistant to the ite during sharei
kakarudō (懸る胴) – leaning towards the mato, also called totsudō (see godō)
kake/yugake (弽) – shooting glove
kakebukuro (弽袋) – bag for the kake
kakebushi (掛節) – the second joint from the top on the todake side of a takeyumi
kakeguchi (掛口) – the part of the tsurumakura where the tsuru is nocked on
kakeguchijūmonji (掛口十文字) – the cross between the tsuru and the thumb of the kake
kakehimo (弽紐) – strap for tying on the kake
kamiza (上座) – the higher position, the front side of the shajō, also called jōza
kamikiritsumedō (上切詰籐) – rattan wrapping at the upper end of a takeyumi that holds the todake, uchidake and uwasekiita together
kantekijō (看的所) – protective cover for officials at the matoba
karahazu (空筈) – the ya comes loose during hikiwake, but does not fall
kashinjōtai (下進上退) – a principle of moving - when moving forward, start with the foot closest to the shimoza; when moving backwards, start with the foot closest to the kamiza (cf. sashinutai)
kasumimato (霞的) – target face with concentric circles (cf. hoshimato)
katabanare (片離れ) – hanare with only one hand, right or left
kataire (肩入れ) – drawing the yumi only to test its strength, or for warming up
kataya (片矢) – a single ya
katte (勝手) – the right hand (oshide - katte)
kattebanare (勝手離れ) – hanare with only the right hand
kazaridō (飾り籐) – decorative rattan wrapping on a yumi
keiko (稽古) – practice
keikogi (稽古着) – practice dress
kihondōsa (基本動作) – the eight basic movements
kihonshisei (基本姿勢) – the four basic postures
kihontai (基本体) – the four basic postures and eight basic movements
kihontaikei (基本体型) – the body shape formed by the tateyokojūmonji and gojūjūmonji
kimono (着物) – see wafuku
kinteki (近的) – close-distance shooting at 28 m (cf. enteki)
kirisage (切り下げ) – one or both hands drop at hanare
kiryoku (気力) – willpower
kiza (跪坐) – kneeling on knees and toes
kobanare (小離れ) – a small hanare with the right hand
kōhai (後輩) – person who has practiced shorter/has a lower grade than you (cf. dōhai, sempai)
kohimo (小紐) – the thin strap that runs from the hikae to the kakehimo on the kake
kohimotōshi (小紐通し) – the eyelet on the inside of the daigawa that the kohimo runs through
kokō (虎口) – the skin between the thumb and forefinger on the left hand
koshi (腹) – the piece of leather that covers the outside of the root of the thumb on the kake, also called ni no koshi
koshikazari (腹飾) – decorative stitching along the joint between the koshi and the hikae on the kake
kosori (小反) – the lowermost reflex curve of the yumi
kosoribushi (小反節) – the first joint from the bottom on the uchidake side of a takeyumi
kuchiwari (口割) – the ya being on a level with the corner of the mouth
kurai no nerai (暗の狙い) – another word for yami no nerai
kuraidori (位取り) – practicing entering and exiting the dōjō
kurikomi (繰り込み) – holding the hazu and sliding it towards the tsuru during yatsugae
kusune (薬煉) – resin for the tsuru
kyōgi (競技) – competition
kyōgi no maai (競技の間合い) – competition timing
kyōshi (教士) – intermediate master rank (see shōgō)
kyūha (弓把) – the distance between the tsuru and the nigiri of a strung yumi
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M

maai (間合い) – correct timing and distance
maedake (前竹) – another word for uchidake
maebiki (前引き) – drawing the yumi in front of the body
magusune (まぐすね) – another word for waraji
makiwara (巻藁) – straw bale for shooting practice
mangetsu no nerai (満月の狙い) – aiming by seeing the whole mato to the left of the yazurido, also called mochizuki no nerai
mata (股) – the joint between the thumb and forefinger on the kake
mato (的) – target
matoba (的場) – target area in the dōjō
matomae sharei – sharei where several ite shoot at their own mato, in standard tachi procedure
matoshōmen (的正面) – in the direction of the mato
matogami (的紙) – target face
matowaku (的枠) – target frame
medōri (目通り) – eye level
meibo (名簿) – list with names stating the shooting order
mete (馬手 / 妻手) – the right hand (yunde - mete)
metebanare (馬手離れ) – hanare where the right hand is stronger than the left
metsuke (目付け) – another word for mezukai
metsukebushi (目付け節) – the joint just above the yazuridō on the uchidake side of a takeyumi
mezukai (目づかい) – using the gaze, also called metsuke
mitorigeiko (見取り稽古) – learning by watching
mitsugake (三つ弽) – a three-finger kake
mochimato sharei (持つ的礼) – sharei where several ite shoot at their own mato
mochizuki no nerai (望月の狙い) – another word for mangetsu no nerai
monomi (物見) – turning one's gaze to look at the mato
monomigaeshi (物見返し) – returning one's gaze from looking at the mato
morogake (諸弽) – a five-finger kake
motare (もたれ) – staying in kai too long and missing the opportunity for a well-timed hanare
motohagi (本矧) – the binding of the fletching on a ya on the side closest to the yajiri, also called shitahagi
motohazu (本弭) – lower hazu of the yumi
mudan (無段) – a practitioner who has not yet reached the dan levels
mukōba (向羽) – another word for togakeba
munazuru (胸弦) – the tsuru lies across the chest in kai, one of the six checkpoints in kai
muneate (胸当て) – chest protector for women
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N

nakajikake (中仕掛け) – nocking point on the tsuru, also used of the hemp fibers used to build this point
nakaoshi (中押し) – correct tenouchi, pushing with a straight wrist through the thumb and middle finger (cf. betaoshi, shitaoshi)
namisun (並み寸) – a yumi of standard length (2.21m)
nerai (狙い) – aiming, one of the six checkpoints in kai
nigiri (握り) – the grip of the yumi, also called ha
nigirikawa (握り皮) – leather strap that is glued around the nigiri
nigirishitadō (握り下籐) – decorative rattan wrapping on a yumi, just below the nigiri
ni no koshi (二の腹) – another word for koshi
nisoku (二足) – two-step ashibumi
nisun/nisunnobi (二寸 / 二寸伸) – a yumi that is 2 sun (6cm) longer than a standard yumi, also called nobisun
no (箆) – arrow shaft
nobiai (伸合い) – mental expansion in kai, one of the six checkpoints in kai
nobisun (伸び寸) – a yumi that is 2 sun (6cm) longer than a standard yumi, also called nisunnobi
nobiyumi (伸び弓) – a yumi that is longer than the standard 2.21m
nokidō (退き胴) – leaning away from the mato, also called hikidō (see godō)
nokigata (退肩) – the left shoulder is pulled back behind the body (cf. dekata)
nokuhanare (退く離れ) – hanare where the body is pulled back and both hands release towards the front
nonakabushi (箆中節) – the joint of a takeya shaft that is closest to the center of the ya, the second joint from the yajiri
noshirabe (箆調べ) – checking the ya during yugamae
nyūjō (入場) – the act of entering the shajō
nyūjōguchi (入場口) – shajō entrance
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O

ōbanare (大離れ) – large hanare with both hands
obi (帯) – belt
ochi (落) – final ite in a tachi
ochigata (落肩) – the left shoulder is lower than the right (cf. sashigata)
ochimae (落前え) – next to last ite in a tachi
ochiruhanare (落ちる離れ) – hanare where the hands drop lower than the level of the shoulders
ōgoshi (大腰) – the smaller convex curve on the lower part of the yumi
okuribanare (送り離れ) – hanare where the right hand "bounces back" in the direction of the mato
ōmae (大前) – first ite in a tachi
oshide (押手) – the left hand (oshide - katte)
oshidegake (押手弽) – protector for the left hand
otokoshibushi (乙腰節) – the second joint from the bottom on the todake side of a takeyumi
otoya (乙矢) – the second ya
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R

rei (礼) – deep bow; etiquette
reishakei (礼射系) – the "modern" form of shooting, using issoku ashibumi and holding the ya by the shaft 10cm from the yajiri in toriyumi no shisei (cf. bushakei)
renshi (錬士) – lowest master rank (see shōgō)
rissha (立射) – shooting in standing form
ritsurei (立礼) – a standing rei
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S

sadame no za (定めの座) – area in the shajō where rei is performed during sharei
sanjūjūmonji (三重十文字) – "the three crosses" - correct body alignment in dōzukuri
sanmi-ittai (三位一体) – when the "three parts" - body, mind, and yumi - become one
sashigata (差肩) – the left shoulder is higher than the right (cf. ochigata)
sashinutai (左進右退) – a principle of moving - when moving forward, always start with the left foot; when moving backwards, always start with the right foot (cf. kashinjotai)
sayukintō (左右均等) – the left and right sides are equal
seiki (精気) – spiritual energy
seikitai (精気体) – the body is filled with kiryoku and energy (cf. shikitai)
seikō/seikoku (正鵠) – the centre of the mato; bull's-eye
seishahitchū (正射必中) – kyudo saying - "correct shooting makes for true hitting"
seiza (正坐) – sitting on the knees
seki-ita/sekitomeita (関板 / 関止め板) – pieces of wood on the inside of a yumi at either end that protects the yumi from wear from the tsuru
sempai (先輩) – person who has practiced longer/has a higher grade than you (cf. dōhai, kōhai)
sensei (先生) – teacher, instructor
sesshurei (折手礼) – a medium-low zarei, with the palms touching the floor and the fingertips in line with the knees (cf. gōshurei, shikenrei)
setta (雪駄) – sandals
shahō (射法) – the principles of shooting
shahō hassetsu (射法八節) – (see hassetsu)
shai (射位) – shooting line in the shajō
shajō (射場) – shooting hall in the dōjō
shakai (射会) – a taikai where a kyōgi is held
shamen uchiokoshi (斜面打起し) – a "classical" form of shooting, with a slanting yugamae and oblique uchiokoshi (cf. shōmen uchiokoshi)
sharei (的礼) – ceremonial shooting
shibe no hanare (四部の離れ) – ideal hanare where the four points - left and right hand and left and right shoulder - separate all at the same time
shikenrei (指建礼) – a shallow zarei, where only the fingertips touch the floor (cf. gōshurei, sesshurei)
shikitai (死気体) – the body is empty of kiryoku and energy (cf. seikitai)
shimohazu (下弭) – lower tip of the yumi
shimosekiita (下関板) – the sekiita on the lower end of the yumi
shimoza (下座) – the lower position, the side opposite the kamiza in the shajō, also called geza
shin zen bi (真善美) – truth, goodness, beauty - the basic tenet of kyudo
shimpanin seki (審判員席) – (see wakishōmen)
shinsa (審査) – examination
shinsa no maai (審査の間合い) – examination timing
shitagake (下がけ) – inner glove worn under the kake
shitahagi (下矧) – another word for motohagi
shitakirizumedō (下切詰籐) – rattan wrapping at the lower end of a takeyumi that holds the todake, uchidake and uwasekiita together
shitanaribushi (下成節) – the second joint from the bottom on the uchidake side of a takeyumi
shitaoshi (下押し) – incorrect tenouchi, with a bent wrist with the fist pushing upwards from below (cf. betaoshi, nakaoshi)
shitazuru (下弦) – the part of the tsuru that is below the nakajikake
shitazuru o hiku (下弦を引く) – drawing by pulling with the lower part of the tsurumakura
shitsu (失) – an error during shooting, most often dropping the ya or yumi, or breaking the tsuru during the hassetsu
shizen no hanare (自然の離れ) – hanare that occurs naturally at the correct moment
shizentai (自然体) – natural body position
shōgō (称号) – master ranks (see renshi, kyoshi, hanshi)
shoimato (背負い的) – the ashibumi line points in front of the mato (cf. dakimato)
shōkon (掌根) – the base of the palm
shōmen (正面) – front
shōmen uchiokoshi (正面打起し) – a "modern" form of shooting, with a centred yugamae and vertical uchiokoshi (cf. shamen uchiokoshi)
sobaki (側木) – the strips of wood on the sides of a takeyumi, between the uchidake and todake
sodesuribushi (袖摺節) – the third joint from the yajiri on a takeya
sonkyo (蹲踞) – squatting position on the toes, without the knees touching the floor
soridō (反り胴) – leaning backwards (see godō)
subiki (素引き) – drawing the yumi without a nocked ya
suki ga nai (隙がない) – posture and movements where nothing is wasted
sumashi (澄し) – clearing wordly thoughts and calming the mind
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T

tabi (足袋) – Japanese toed socks
tachi (立ち) – shooting in a group, usually five persons
tada yazuka (ただ矢束) – kai without tsumeai or nobiai
taihai (体配) – correct movements prior to, during, and following the hassetsu in a tachi
taijō (退場) – the act of exiting the shajō
taijōguchi (退場口) – shajō exit
taikai (大会) – grand meeting
taikei (体型) – one's physique
take (竹) – bamboo
takeya (竹矢) – bamboo arrow
takeyumi (竹弓) – bamboo bow
tanden (丹田) – centre of the body, just below the navel
tasuki (襷) – ribbon used by women to tie up the kimono sleeves when shooting
tasukisabaki (襷捌き) – the method of tying the tasuki
tateyokojūmonji (縦横十文字) – the relationship of the vertical and horizontal lines formed by the spine, neck and shoulders
tekichujōgi (的中定規) – string ruler
tenmonsuji (天文筋) – the line formed in the palm when folding the knuckles
tenouchi (手の内) – the grip of the left hand on the yumi
teru (照る) – the yumi is tilted backwards when shooting
teshita (手下) – the part of the yumi below the nigiri
teshitabushi (手下節) – the joint just below the nigiri on the todake side of a takeyumi
todake (外竹) – the outer face of a takeyumi
togakeba (外掛羽) – the outer hane of a nocked ya
tōgashira (籐頭) – the part of the yumi where the nigiri and yazuridō meet
torikake (取り掛け) – gripping the tsuru with the kake
torikatabushi (鳥肩節) – the third joint from the top on the todake side of a takeyumi
toriuchi (鳥打ち) – the large convex curve on the upper part of the yumi
toriya (取矢) – holding the otoya in the right hand while shooting the haya
toriyumi no shisei (執弓の姿勢) – basic posture while holding the yumi and ya
totsudō (突胴) – another word for kakarudō (see godō)
tsuki no wa (月の輪) – lower tsuruwa
tsumasoroe (爪揃え) – lining up the tips of the middle, ring, and little fingers on the left hand in tenouchi
tsumeai (詰合い) – physical expansion of the body during kai, one of the six checkpoints in kai
tsunomi (角見) – the base of the thumb
tsuru (弦) – string
tsurugire (弦切れ) – when the tsuru breaks
tsurumaki (弦巻) – holder for spare tsuru
tsurumakura (弦枕) – the groove for the tsuru on the thumb of the kake
tsurumichi (弦道) – the path that the tsuru travels during hikiwake
tsurune (弦音) – the sound of the tsuru at hanare
tsurushirabe (弦調べ) – checking the tsuru during yugamae
tsuruwa (弦輪) – the loop at each end of the tsuru
tsutsumigawa (包皮) – the piece of leather on the tip of the inside of the thumb on the kake
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U

uchibukuro (内袋) – inner sleeve for the yumi
uchidake (内竹) – the inner face of a takeyumi, also called maedake
uchikiri (打ち切り) – gripping the yumi too tight, preventing yugaeri
uchiokoshi (打起し) – stage four of the hassetsu - lifting the bow
urahagi (末矧) – another word for uwahagi
urahazu (末矧) – another word for uwahazu
urazori (裏反り) – the height of the recurve of an unstrung yumi
uwabanare (上離れ) – hanare in which the right hand, or both, release upward
uwahagi (上矧) – the binding of the fletching on a ya on the side closest to the hazu, also called urahagi
uwahazu (上弭) – upper tip of the yumi, also called urahazu
uwanaribushi (上成節) – the second joint from the top on the uchidake side of a takeyumi
uwaoshi (上押し) – incorrect tenouchi, with a bent wrist with the fist pushing downwards from above
uwasekiita (上関板) – the sekiita on the upper end of the yumi
uwazuru (上弦) – the part of the tsuru that is above the nakajikake
uwazuru o hiku (上弦を引く) – drawing by pulling with the upper part of the tsurumakura
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W

wafuku (和服) – traditional Japanese clothing, worn by high-graded practitioners (kimono)
wakishōmen (脇正面) – the side to the front where the judges sit, also called shimpanin seki
waraji (草鞋) – woven hemp pad for preparing the tsuru, also called magusune
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Y

ya (矢) – arrow
yadokoro (矢所) – the place where a released ya lands
yadome (矢止め) – safety net to catch ya that miss the azuchi
yagoro (彀) – the perfect moment for hanare
yaguchi (矢口) – the point where the yumi and ya intersect
yaguchi ga aku (矢口が空く) – when the yumi and ya lose contact
yairo (矢色) – when a ya wobbles in flight
yajiri (矢尻) – arrowhead, also called itatsuki or yanone
yakobore (矢零れ) – a nocked ya that comes loose from the tsuru before hanare, and falls down; also called hazukobore
yamakura (矢枕) – the point on the kake where the ya lies against the base of the thumb
yami no nerai (闇の狙い) – aiming by covering the whole mato with the yazuridō, also called kurai no nerai
yamichi (矢道) – shooting range in the dōjō
yanone (矢の根) – another word for yajiri
yanori (矢乗り) – the path of the ya in flight
yasaki (矢先) – the front part of the ya
yashaku (矢尺) – length of the ya
yasuji (矢筋) – the direction the ya will fly, aiming along this line in kai
yatate (矢立て) – rack for the ya in the dōjō
yatori (矢取り) – fetching ya from the matoba
yatorimichi (矢取り道) – path along the yamichi for fetching ya
yatsugae (矢番え) – nocking the ya
yawatashi (矢渡) – the sharei that commences a taikai
yazuka (矢束) – one's draw length
yazuka ippai (矢束一杯) – achieving maximum draw in kai, one of the six checkpoints in kai
yazuridō (矢摺籐) – rattan wrapping above the nigiri that protects the yumi from wear from the ya
yazuribushi (矢摺節) – the joint that lies underneath the yazuridō, just at the tōgashira, on the uchidake side of a takeyumi
yazutsu (矢筒) – quiver
yobiya (予備矢) – another word for kaeya
yobiyumi (予備弓) – another word for kaeyumi
yobizuru (予備弦) – another word for kaezuru
yonsun/yonsunnobi (四寸 / 四寸伸) – a yumi that is 4 sun (12cm) longer than a standard yumi
yotsugake (四つ弽) – a four-finger kake
yotsuya (四つ矢) – shooting with four ya
yū (揖) – shallow bow
yudaoshi (弓倒し) – lowering the yumi after zanshin, back to toriyumi no shisei
yugaeri (弓返り) – rotation of the yumi at hanare
yugake (弓弽) – (see kake)
yugamae (弓構え) – stage three of the hassetsu - gripping the yumi
yumi (弓) – bow
yumibukuro (弓袋) – cover bag for the yumi
yumifutokoro (弓懐) – the circular space in front of the body formed by the ensō in yugamae
yumihariita (弓張板) – wooden block that supports the uwahazu when stringing the yumi
yumimaki (弓巻) – cover wrap for the yumi
yuminari – the shape of a strung yumi seen from the side, also called harigao
yumitate (弓立て) – rack for the yumi in the dōjō
yumiya (弓矢) – the yumi and the ya
yunde (弓手) – the left hand (yunde - mete)
yunde no hanare (弓手の離れ) – hanare with the left hand, pushing towards the mato
yurumi – tsumeai collapsing before hanare
yuzuriba – another word for hōzuriba
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Z

zanshin (残身 / 残心) – stage eight of the hassetsu - follow-through
zarei (坐礼) – a sitting rei
zasha (坐射) – shooting in sitting form
zōri (草履) – sandals
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