Dear friends,
I am happy to say that Sensei's son, Shibata XXI, will be attending both the International Gathering and the Shambhala Mountain Center Intensive in May and June. While at SMC, he will do a two day yumi-making demonstration. He will also discuss the care and repair of yumi and other equipment.
In addition, he is able to take orders for yumi to be delivered at Boulder during the Gathering. If you are interested in acquiring a yumi, you may order them by e-mail through me. There are two grades available - class yumi quality at around $600; and personal yumi quality at around $1200. More expensive yumi can also be special ordered. I strongly recommend that for a personal yumi, you should purchase the higher quality. If you need a yumi that is more than 14 kg in strength, you really should not consider the lower cost as an option.
In order to process an order, we will need the following information from you:
1. Strength (current strength and/or preference)
2. Proper ya length for the individual using it.
3. height of the person (with ya length and/or height will decide the length of yumi, either nami-sun, nisun-nobi, or yonsun-nobi)
4. kake size (or trace of the hand) to determine the size and width of the grip.
5. Which quality of yumi
6. any other request for the specification, types and color of bamboo, etc.
and
7. contact e-mail address.
In addition, we will require a 25% deposit. Yumi will be shipped from Japan about a week ahead of the program. Therefore, we must receive your order absolutely no later than May first.
You should plan on receiving your yumi directly from Shibata XXI in Boulder or at SMC. This is very important and will also give you the opportunity to learn how to break it in and care for it.
Yours, Alex.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
More practice
Another quiet day of practice amid melting bright white snow. Sensei and Carolyn leave for Californial tomorrow and will return at the end of the month.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Practice
Sunday, March 22 was a day of simple, quiet practice.
Travelers from afar are starting to confirm plans to attend the International gathering of Shibata Sensei's kyudo students here May 28- 31, with some staying for the kyudo intensive at Shambhala Mountain Center as well (Advanced Intensive: May 31-June 2 and All Levels Retreat June 2 - 6). It looks like we will have a good number of rooms/beds/tents etc. to offer with local kyudo-practitioners during the Boulder portion of the activities.
Travelers from afar are starting to confirm plans to attend the International gathering of Shibata Sensei's kyudo students here May 28- 31, with some staying for the kyudo intensive at Shambhala Mountain Center as well (Advanced Intensive: May 31-June 2 and All Levels Retreat June 2 - 6). It looks like we will have a good number of rooms/beds/tents etc. to offer with local kyudo-practitioners during the Boulder portion of the activities.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Pearl Olson's passing - a message from Carolyn
Dear Kyudo family,
As you may know by now, Pearl Olson (my mother) died Friday, March 13th at 10:55a.m., at her home here in Boulder. Shibata Sensei and I were present, along with two members of her remarkably large and caring circle of friends who have seen her through the last few months. She passed from ovarian cancer.
As per her request, her ceremony was held at Zenko Kyudojo, where she added kyudo to her various dharma practices at the age of 70. The ceremony took place Sunday at 10:55a.m. to align with the time of her death.
Pearl very much wanted an international announcement to be made upon her death that, in lieu of any gifts or flowers, people send contributions to:
Zenko International
4220 19th Street
Boulder, Colorado 80304
She greatly wished to support Shibata Sensei’s work for the benefit of sentient beings (and really abhorred the idea of expensive funeral flowers).
She was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. She received her Buddhist refuge name from Trungpa Rinpoche: Fearless Dharma Cloud.
Pearl was long time student and practitioner of the Shambhala sangha, served as Academic Provost at Naropa University, helped start the Brattleboro, Vermont Shambhala Center and was an all-around willing and able helper in whatever form presented itself to her. She never balked at “lowly” tasks or particularly sought confirmation in positions and titles. The magnitude of her care circle these last number of months was a tribute to her willingness to give to others whenever she saw an opportunity to do so. She will be missed by many people, including me, her son Charles, her daughter-in-law, and granddaughter.
Thank you all for your practice and kindness to her throughout her life and death.
Carolyn Kanjuro
As you may know by now, Pearl Olson (my mother) died Friday, March 13th at 10:55a.m., at her home here in Boulder. Shibata Sensei and I were present, along with two members of her remarkably large and caring circle of friends who have seen her through the last few months. She passed from ovarian cancer.
As per her request, her ceremony was held at Zenko Kyudojo, where she added kyudo to her various dharma practices at the age of 70. The ceremony took place Sunday at 10:55a.m. to align with the time of her death.
Pearl very much wanted an international announcement to be made upon her death that, in lieu of any gifts or flowers, people send contributions to:
Zenko International
4220 19th Street
Boulder, Colorado 80304
She greatly wished to support Shibata Sensei’s work for the benefit of sentient beings (and really abhorred the idea of expensive funeral flowers).
She was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. She received her Buddhist refuge name from Trungpa Rinpoche: Fearless Dharma Cloud.
Pearl was long time student and practitioner of the Shambhala sangha, served as Academic Provost at Naropa University, helped start the Brattleboro, Vermont Shambhala Center and was an all-around willing and able helper in whatever form presented itself to her. She never balked at “lowly” tasks or particularly sought confirmation in positions and titles. The magnitude of her care circle these last number of months was a tribute to her willingness to give to others whenever she saw an opportunity to do so. She will be missed by many people, including me, her son Charles, her daughter-in-law, and granddaughter.
Thank you all for your practice and kindness to her throughout her life and death.
Carolyn Kanjuro
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Today Level 3 Shambhala training students visited the dojo. They heard Alex Halpern give a brief explanation of kyudo and watched Carolyn Kanjuro demonstrate. This was followed by a question and answer gathering (pictured above).
One question was: "Sensei, what is the hardest part of teaching kyudo to Westerners?" Sensei: "Meditation heart. People so quickly give up when the weather changes. True meditation is based on perseverance, regardless of outer circumstances."
Monday, February 16, 2009
Calligraphy books ready!
After months of detailed work on Carolyn's part, Sensei's calligraphy books will be soon ready to ship! Above, Sensei signs the first copy. Below are a few more photos of the work that went into finishing the handmade books. To see more photos, see the post in this blog from December 24, 2008.
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