(Reprinted from Seien No. 536, April edition)
On the cover page of the program for the All Japan University Kyudo Tournament held on the 2nd of August in 1993, I wrote the saying "Sha wa shingan o yashinau" (Shooting nurtures the mind's eye). My intention was to improve the quality of the students' shooting.
This address was also given to celebrate the adoption of Kyudo as an officially recognized physical education subject by the Ministry of Education. The Ministry of Education has also amended a section of the Educational Guidelines document to reclassify Kyudo from "Kakugi" (combative sport) to "Budo" (martial art) as of April 1st, 1994. This has been a longtime desire of the Budo (martial art) Association in Japan.
I have devoted my efforts to the development of university kyudo because I wish to improve the quality of university kyudo which has tended to put too much weight on sportive aspects of Kyudo since its revival in 1953. I also wanted to respond to a request from the Ministry of Education to improve the moral education of Japanese university students through Kyudo in order to earn respect from foreign students, most of whom are from various Asian countries.
The improvement of moral education results from nurturing a proper mind.
The proper mind is described in Kyudo as "If the mind is proper then the conduct of shooting will be correct. If the conduct of shooting is correct then the release will be correct, too." If you ask what proper mind is, the answer will be "Mushin" (absolute mind) and "Kyoshin" (emptied mind). Mushin is also considered to be a force that works freely, responding as necessary.
The Kyoshin in this saying indicates that the mind is neither troubled by, nor fettered to, feelings. Thus the mind develops to the state of Mushin.
A considerable amount of training is needed to reach such a state of mind which is not captured by the target when standing at full draw at a distance of twenty eight meters after following the proper conduct of shooting.
Therefore a classic saying goes, "The art of shooting forges one's mind, this is the ultimate." "Renshin Renmoku" (Forging the mind, forging the eyes) is born from this saying. "Renshin" (Forging the mind) is to train one's mind up to the stage of no desire of hitting the target. This is to reach the stage of Kyoshin and Mushin. And this Mushin is the cultivation of a mind which is able to freely change its form. Renmoku is training one's viewing ability. One should continue gazing at the target with the generation of "kiryoku" (spiritual force) until the target is naturally drawn toward you. This gaze training is forging the mind through the eyes, and as a result the mind and eyes should be united in one, which is the essential factor in the development of the mind's eye.
The mind's eye is nurtured through training by gazing at the target while in full draw, called "Kai" in Kyudo, with an increasing force toward the tanden (a few inches below the navel). While doing this, one maintains full draw longer than six seconds while discharging excessive strength from the chest. The increase of power into the Tanden is the generation of kiryoku (spiritual force) and this spiritual force, when developed to the full, makes the mind proper. Thus right conviction is also developed.
While enduring the strength of the bow with proper will as a foundation, to generate such spiritual force with absolute mind requires self-restraint, calmness and patience. As a result, concentrated mind is developed. This concentrated mind is developed during the gazing of the target, which will also open the mind's eye. Once the mind's eye is opened, one can cope with anything with "Fudoshin" (firmness) or with "Heijyoshin" (uninfluenced mind). Then impurities of the mind such as doubtfulness, anxiety, timidness, fear, and low self-esteem, will be naturally removed.
As the spiritual force reaches fullness "Kiai" (spiritual energy) is generated. Such strength creates a powerful "Hanare" (release) and the arrow departs. The released arrow will suddenly be seen as existing in the target. Such a release is strived for in Kyudo.
The posture after a release that is derived from the development of the mind's eye is called "Zanshin" (remaining spirit). The remaining spirit should harmonize with the universe and should look majestic as it expresses the archer's enlightened and trained mind.
The mind's eye is developed and becomes a part of one's body through constant training with the
awareness of the "mato" (target) as the primary teacher and the etiquette based on the
"Rei" (
rites) as the secondary teacher. The essence of Rei in kyudo is different
from that of
"Gi" ( 
right or moral principle) in Confucianism. It is rather explained as
"Kei" (
respect) and also
"Chi" (
intellect or knowledge). When Chi develops to the stage of "the absolute mind that
works freely as needed" it becomes a creative mind. It also appears to be a brave mind and a
mind with harmony of spirit.
Having stated this, the mind's eye that is derived from the development of "Renshin" and "Renmoku" (forging of the mind, forging of the eye) leads to the cultivation of a mind that is able to clearly distinguish the truth of objects and phenomenon. This helps to improve decision making and creates a trustworthy person in its daily application. Thus it is said "kyudo is living" or "kyudo is life".
I believe that development of the mind's eye originates from "proper mind" and it is natural that Japanese Kyudo, which has been cultivated through long history and tradition, is now acknowledged as a Budo (martial art) and it will be acknowledged even more highly as a way of humanity.
I am truly delighted about this acknowledgment of Kyudo as a Budo and I hope that all university students practicing Kyudo will work harder to nurture their mind's eyes. I will continue guiding them to be able to apply such strength of mind to their daily lives even after they finish their studies. In order to accomplish this, I will study the history of Kyudo more deeply and at the same time I am determined to reach the soul of Kyudo by exerting myself through shooting to nurture my own mind's eye even further.
Thinking respectively of the late honorable Eiichi Shibusawa, I have taken this opportunity to speak about an aspect of Kyudo that is my mental food.
Note: Seien is the name of a bulletin published in commemoration of Mr. Eiichi Shibusawa who was a leader in Japanese industry around the 1890's.