Yumi (弓) | |
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![]() Yumi from behind, profile | |
Type | Asymmetrical bow |
Place of origin | Japan |
Service history | |
Used by | Samurai, Onna-musha, Kyudo practitioners |
Production history | |
Produced | Since 3rd century (the asymmetrical yumi)[1] |
Variants | Hankyū |
Specifications | |
Length | 212–245 cm (83–96 in) |
Cartridge | Arrow length: 85–110 cm (33–43 in) |
Yumi (弓) is the Japanese term for a bow. As used in English, yumi refers more specifically to traditional Japanese asymmetrical bows, and includes the longer daikyū (大弓) and the shorter hankyū (半弓) used in the practice of kyūdō and kyūjutsu, or Japanese archery.
The yumi was an important weapon of the samurai warrior during the feudal period of Japan. It is typically shot with Japanese arrows known as ya.
The most famous style of yumi is an asymmetrically shaped long bow with a length of more than 2 m (6 ft 7 in), characterized by the archer holding the part of the bow below the center to shoot the arrow.[2][3]