This learning aid is designed to help new Kyudo practitioners understand the basics of shooting an arrow—Shaho Hassetsu—including its Japanese terminology, official English translations, and brief descriptions of each stage.

For beginners, the sheer amount of terminology in Kyudo can feel overwhelming—each movement, piece of equipment, and body parts have both a Japanese and English translation to remember. While students learn the shooting movements through practice sessions at the dojo, these actions often become muscle memory, making it challenging to connect them with their corresponding terms.

Memorizing the correct sequence of the Shaho Hassetsu is a fundamental requirement for the Shodan (first-rank) examination. A solid grasp of this knowledge is essential for progressing in Kyudo practice, as future instruction builds upon these eight stages—broadening and deepening students’ understanding while reinforcing their shooting technique.