Take a deep breath
Earl:
I've been following this thread as it has evolved over the years, and I am left somewhat baffled. I'm willing to agree with every statement of fact you have made regarding Herrigel and the history of kyudo and Zen.
But yet... why are you so angry? Why do you take this so personally?
Herrigal wrote a lovely little book about himself that is indeed meaningless for kyudo. I'm sure that it has given the wrong idea to many many people over the years and that you have been frustrated by guru-seekers coming to your class. It's good that you want to share that article you translated and illuminate Herrigel's misconceptions.
But why is it necessary to repeatedly tell people who want Zen in their kyudo that they are wrong? Your kyudo is not Zen, and that is what is best for you. Historic kyudo was not Zen, but most contemporary kyudo is a long way from mid-Edo kyudo and a far longer way from martial archery anyway.
I find this odd indeed, since there are two kyudo dojos in your backyard of styles that are mixed up with Buddhism. I believe that Muyoshingetsu kyudo's lineage comes from a Zen temple; their kyudo is "deeply spiritual." Shibata Sensei's style has a long-standing affiliation with Shambhala and various Zen centers; this might be a modern adaptation that is not in the kyudo mainstream, but it is his kyudo and his business. Do you feel that they are wrong in what their kyudo is (or do you feel I am wrong in my statements about their kyudo)?
For the record, I practice Shibata's style of kyudo, have never practiced Zen or any other form of Buddhism, and enlightenment is not one of my goals in kyudo.
Spencer Burns
<a href="http://www.yachigusaryu.com/">Yachigusa-Ryu Aiki-Bugei</a>
San Francisco, CA