The first arrow!

I'm in front of my computer, which allows me to type faster and tell you more about the amazing news:

~ I've officially fired my first arrow!! ~

It was a special practice arrow, like I said. And my target was not a mato target, but a makiwara. Now let me tell you - up until now kyudo's been pretty hard while doing nothing else but practicing to draw the bow. Now add an arrow....

The technique - it's so much to think about! And it's so much fun! I actually really like things that are technically challenging. As long as it feels like I'll be able to do it eventually. ;P

Oosaki-sensei (the actual kyudo teacher) took us to the dojo, and taught me how to hold the arrow, shoot and...well, everything. Holding the arrow - it's a lot harder than I'd thought. (Although I try not to say or think "pfft, that's easy!" because you never really know until you've tried. And as a rule it's always much harder than it looks!) You kind of just support it with your hand. Still, if you use too much strength, the arrow falls! So it's kind of the opposite of what your instincts tell you to do, right? "Hold on tight, don't drop it!" *cling* "...darn.." Haha! And to top it off, the bow is pretty heavy to draw for me still. Even though my wrist now bends as it's supposed to, it's hard to hold their position once you've fully drawn the bow. But I'll practice, practice, practice! Yaay~! v(*^^*)

Oosaki-sensei was really great and helped me, telling showing me (either physically by repositioning my various limbs or by mimicking the movements) what to do. The first time I let go of the string and fired the arrow, I was delighted by the power it released. I've felt it while practicing to draw the bow, but actually releasing it was really cool! I just stood there with my eyes popping going "Whoa! Whoa! Hee... hehehehehehee!" Oosaki-sensei smiled and laughed a bit at me when I did that. ^^ Oh, and my sensei looks freakin' elegant! Just the way he mimics how to pull the bow... I feel like I can see where the power goes and you can tell he knows what he's doing. And he's really supportive and seems like a really nice person too. It's a shame my swimming lessons on Friday collide with my second day in the dojo.

Once I released the string wrong so that, even from that short distance, my arrow went sideways and into the wall - missing the entire makiwara! XD I laughed while Oosaki-sensei went over and swiftly pulled it out. Well, actually I hit the protecting plate behind the target. There was a suspiciously round mark suggesting someone once hit the wall... :P

There's just a lot to think about. Even how to walk up to the place from where you aim have specific rules! And I haven't even started putting on my clothes yet... although I will next time! So I'll feel either really cool or really wannabee, haha!

Location:
Mood: Very sleepy...
Listening to:
Eating: doughnuts!
Drinking: