7-1. About Tension (Hariai)~How to release a grip (Torikake) naturaly~

Physical consideration of KYUDO -Japanese archery

7-1. About Tension (張り合い/Hariai)~How to release a grip (取り懸け/Torikake) naturaly~

To put it simply, "tension (張り合い/Hariai)" is the state of continuously applying force in the following three directions until release. If any other force is at work, the pushing hand or drawing hand will become unstable, and the arrow will not fly in line with the target. You would end up deliberately shifting the target you carefully aimed before releasing it.

Tension (張り合い/Hariai)≈

The force of pushing straight along the arrow axis with the bow hand

+ The force of opening the draw hand straight along the arrow axis to the follow-through position

+ The force of releasing the grip and twisting the string, centered on the thumb

It's helpful to understand the tension (張り合い/Hari-ai) of a full draw (会/Kai) as the state in which the entire body's strength, combined with the upper body's actions, creates the effect necessary to release the arrow. Conversely, this means that when you're in a full draw (会/Kai), you don't need to think about anything else.

Once you're in a full draw session, you can't tinker with things like the position of your left shoulder or your right elbow anymore. In a full draw session, you should just keep striving to create a natural release.

Conceptually, I believe I've been taught that tension (張り合い/Hari-ai) in Japanese archery means not losing to the bow, not letting the force slacken, but expanding the force in the direction of the arrow axis and the follow-through, creating a release like a balloon bursting.

So, how do you achieve that tension (張り合い/Hari-ai) effect?

When transitioning from a draw to a full draw, the left hand exerts force to bring the bow down to the target, while the right hand exerts force to fold the arm while drawing the string.

These are completely different from the direction of release. Therefore, if you release at this point, there is no tension in the direction of opening up to the follow-through, resulting in a small follow-through where the arm hardly opens at all. This is exactly what happens when you accidentally release the bow.

Even with a premature release, the form will be similar to this.

Some people can open their arms to some extent and achieve a proper follow-through even with a premature release, but this is because they are performing the action of extending their arms to the follow-through position, and it is not a follow-through that arises from tension.

When you reach full draw (会/Kai), most of the bow's power is supported by your arms and body's skeletal structure.

Abstractly, this is described as entering ing inside the bow. Muscle strength is only needed to support the skeletal structure, so the great force required during the initial draw (引き分け/Hikiwake) is no longer necessary.

This is where you can begin to apply the force (tension) necessary to create a natural release. In other words, you've finally reached the starting line.

People who release the bow too early mistake the full draw (会/Kai) for the goal of a draw (引き分け/Hikiwake).

Therefore, the moment they reach the goal, they instinctively release the bow. Their brain signals that a draw is the end.

If you change your mindset, you can overcome too early release. You must understand, both mentally and physically, that you've only just reached the starting line, and immediately giving up the match is like abandoning the game. A full draw is merely the start, not the finish line of a draw.

During the full draw (会/Kai), you begin preparing for the release (start).

You slowly increase the force in the straight direction of pushing and pulling along the axis of the arrow, as well as the force of releasing the grip (弽解き/Kake-hodoki) and the force of twisting the string, until the release occurs. This is what is meant by tension (張合い/Hari-ai) during the full draw.

It's not about being too tense.

The goal is to create a natural release, so it's absolutely impossible for it not to release. If it doesn't release, it's simply because you don't know how to prepare for the release, or you've stopped midway.

(1) The first thing to do in the tension phase of the full draw is to change the direction of force between the draw and the full draw.

(2) The tension should be applied straight along the axis of the arrow.

(For arrow stability and a straight release)

(3) Continue the effort to release the grip by using the force to release the grip (pushing the cap forward with the middle finger) and twisting the string (twisting around the cap).

(By centering the grip on the cap (thumb), the grip can be released without wobbling)

(4) The full draw is the "starting line" for creating a "natural release."

(It is not the goal of the draw)

I interpret "tension" (張り合い/Hari-ai) as continuing the three actions described above (①, ②, and ③) until you naturally release the tension, keeping ④ in mind.

How to effectively use the kake-untie technique (illustration by the teacher from about 35 years ago) and string twisting

The goal is to maintain a full draw (会/Kai) throughout the follow-through (残身/Zanshin).

This is what my teacher taught me about the mindset in this part. I interpret it as meaning that a natural release occurs within the tension of a full draw, and that the force should remain in the same state as in the full draw until the follow-through. In other words, you should remain in the full draw state until the follow-through, and not add any extra force (active releasing force) that would cause instability.

It's been over 35 years since I started practicing Kyudo (Japanese archery), and just like back then, I think there are still many people, even those with dan ranks, who struggle with issues like arrows falling off the left hand, string slippage, accidental releases, loose releases, and swept arrows. I believe we're now in an era where it's necessary to properly explain the meaning of each movement in a logical way, ensure understanding, and then teach it.

With that in mind, I decided to explain the process in detail, starting from the initial steps, on this blog.

Next time, we'll be discussing ”Tension (張り合い/Hariai)”. We look forward to your next visit as you become more familiar with "hitting the target (的中/Tekichu)".