2024

7th South East Asia Kyudo Gathering , Jakarta Indonesia

7th-8th December 2023

Participants

1.Paolo M.

2.Gaysinee P

3.Waris M.

4.Attasit S.

5.Merisa M.

6.Mikel B.

This is the first time that SKK (Siam Kyudo Kai) members attended the SEA Kyudo Gathering outside of Thailand. There were six members in total. Before traveling, we had to send an email to the airline to inform them that we had Sport Equipment. 

We met at Don Mueang Airport at 16:00. We Travel via Airasia Airline .To transport all the Kyudo equipment, We packed them in a Kyudo bag specifically for traveling and loaded them onto the plane. We arrived at Jakarta Airport at midnight and rested at the hotel, Oakwood Hotel & Apartments Taman Mini Jakarta. 

In the morning, we met at the hotel lobby at 7:30. It took us 30 minute to travel to the archery range. The weather on the first day was quite cloudy. It looks like it's going to rain.

Upon arrival at the event, members registered for the event and received their number tags.

The opening ceremony began with the Yawatashi Opening Shooting by Mr. Yudi N. The weather was not very good, with heavy rain and storms, making the field quite wet, but the opening ceremony went smoothly. 

Next was the Taihai Demonstration of the individual competition, starting with Zasya with 2 arrows and Risha with 4 arrows. After that, there was a Free Practice (Risha with 4 arrows). 

At lunchtime, everyone had lunch boxed sell by Indonesia team .After that SKK brought souvenirs to give to the representatives of each countries: Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong.

In the afternoon, there was the individual qualifying round, with SKK members in Group C and Group D.

After the qualifying round, there was Enteki shooting, a long-range shooting. The recommended bow weight for shooting is 18 kg or more, but other weights are also allowed. It was a first time experience forsome SKK members to try this long-range shooting.

The closing ceremony on the first day was Nousha, with Mr. Numair E.

The second day started with Mochi Mato Sarei (Kimono Shooting) by five representatives from each country: Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand. The representative from Thailand was Mr. Waris M.

After the ceremony, it was the individual competition. The country that won first place in the competition was Indonesia, our host country. After the lunch break, it was the team competition, and Indonesia was the first place too. After the competition, the winners were awarded the prizes.

The next step was Free Practice. Since SKK didn't know the real Taihai system this time, Singapore team teaching us the entire system to Thai team.

After the Hajime call, the timer will start at 7:30 minutes. The contestants must complete the time within seven and a half minutes. When there are 30 seconds left, a alarm will ring to warn the time. Any shots after 7:30 minutes will not be counted. When the person in front of them, Doozukuri, the second person, must stand up, When first person, Uchiokoshi, the second person must Torikake, and so on. By controlling the time and concentration as well

And then came the closing ceremony of this event. Everyone took a group photo together.

After the event, there was another dinner party near the shooting range. The SKK members returned to the hotel to rest and prepare to join the event. During dinner, the atmosphere at the event was relaxed. All countries exchanged experiences and took photos. There was a short meeting of representatives from each country. It was concluded that next year, 2025, the host country will be Malaysia and 2026 will be Singapore.

After the event, the author had the opportunity to sit and talk with the SKK group. We listened to Mr. Mikel's experiences in both the examination system in Japan and the training techniques that can be used to develop ourselves in training.

The next day, we SKK members met at the lobby at 11:30 and traveled to Jakarta Airport and returned to Thailand safely.

In summary, participating in the 7th South East Asia Kyudo Gathering this time was an overseas experience for foreign kyudo practitioners to meet and exchange experiences in kyudo training together. We gained new knowledge that could be used to develop the club and various teaching systems, including management, within the club, and many more. The friendship among SEA is something great. It gives me the motivation to continue my training. I sincerely hope that next year and the following years I will be able to experience this again. It is an experience that cannot be found anywhere else and will never be forgotten. It is a valuable memory in a period of a Kyudo practitioner's life. I can't wait for the next event. See you again in Malaysia :)

Author Merisa M.