Kyudo

Kyudo traditionally organizes one shot into eight stages called hassetsu: ashibumi, dozukuri, yugamae, uchiokoshi, hikiwake, kai, hanare, and zanshin. The International Kyudo Federation emphasizes that these stages form one continuous cycle rather than eight disconnected tricks. [International Kyudo Federation](https://www.ikyf.org/shahouhassetsu.html)

Accuracy matters, but kyudo also evaluates posture, timing, composure, and the quality of the complete shooting form. The practice is often described as the Way of the Bow because the eight-stage process is intended to cultivate mental and physical discipline.

The Japanese yumi is asymmetrical, with a longer upper limb than lower limb, unlike a conventional centered recurve bow. Kyudo also uses a formal shooting sequence and equipment such as arrows and a glove called a yugake.

Kyudo places much greater emphasis on formalized movement, etiquette, and the eight-stage shot cycle. Olympic recurve competition is primarily organized around scoring accuracy at standardized targets, while kyudo treats the visible form of the shot as part of the practice.