Help with Yumi

[Fujohnes]

Hello.
My name is John and I live in Sweden. I don´t know if I am posting in the right thread, but if I am not, then i apologize.

Recently I got hands on a bamboo bow, a yumi. To make a long story short, it was an Art-dealer who bought a collection from a man from Japan, and in that collection he found a yumi. He had no use of it so he sold it to me. But he knew nothing about the story behind the bow. On the bow there are japanese writing, and i don´t know anything about it. Is there anyone who can help me with this problem? I have taken pictures of the writing, but i am not sure how to upload it. I have i on the computer so i can mail it to the one who wants to help me.

Many thanks in advance, and i hope there is someone who would like to help me solve this puzzle.

John

[Elmar]

I would recommend Mr. Dan DeProspero at http://www.kyudo.com/ as a resource. I would caution that you may not like the answer, since the bow may have been neglected to the point that it is now only a bent stick of wood with some history, and will break if your attempt to use it.

[Fujohnes]

Thank you for the tip, and the answer. I have in mind that it night be broken if i use it, but still i think a stick with some history isnt "only":-). Thanks again, and i will use Mr Dan as a resource.

[P. Hval]

Especially if a cold and dry climate. If unable to go to the dojo to practice, was told to still should go to "warm it up" = rub a cloth up and down its length, in winter. Perhaps you could try that (you will feel the material get warm from the friction) - unstrung, of course. (Some bows' unusual structure may mean that, when combined with becoming dry, cold and resultingly brittle, may break if strung and then pulled, I was told.) Also, a bamboo yumi's strength may decline if such bow hasn't been used. No matter, a creation of unique lines, beauty and grace, and for that if nothing else, is worth caring about, imho.

[Brian Owens]

...I have taken pictures of the writing, but i am not sure how to upload it. I have i on the computer so i can mail it to the one who wants to help me.

I have sent you my e-mail address in a private message, and you may send me the photos. I will upload them for other readers of this forum to look at.