Historical Ya
Ya Terminology (recorded by Christina Chapallaz after a conversation with Sendai)
Nihon-go (japanisch) |
English |
Ya |
Arrow |
No |
Arrow Shaft |
Hane |
Feathers |
Yajiri |
Arrowhead (classic) |
Yanone |
Arrowhead (modern) |
Hazu |
Cam |
Yazutsu |
Arrow quiver |
Haya |
First arrow, male |
Otoya |
Second arrow, female |
Boya |
Practice arrow for macaw practice without feathers. The bamboo shaft is thicker than a long distance arrow! |
Makiwaraya |
Arrow with narrow feathers for Makiwara practice |
Kazuya |
Cheap arrow for matopractice with feathers. The bamboo shaft is thinner than a Makiwara arrow. Therefore you must not shoot at the Makiwara with it (danger of breaking!) |
Yotsuya |
Four good arrows for matopractice with identical shafts and exquisite feathers |
Hane |
Feathers |
Otori |
Sea Eagle |
Taka |
Falcon |
Ishiuchi |
Outer tail feather of a sea eagle or a falcon - prime quality |
Oba |
Inner tail feather of a sea eagle or a falcon - enhanced quality |
Teba |
wing feather of an eagle or a falcon - good quality |
Haya Hane |
Left curved spring, which is used for the Haya |
Otoya Hane |
Right curved spring, which is used for the Otoya |
Feathers from turkeys and swans are used for a cheap ya. Feathers of birds of prey may only be used if they comply with the international convention on the protection of species! |
We practice mainly with bamboo arrows. Aluminium arrows give a rattling sound. Mato arrows must not be used to shoot at the Makiwara, because the arrow shafts are thinner than those of Makiwara arrows and could break.
Determine length: Measured from the middle of the neck to the finger tips plus two to three finger widths gives the correct arrow length. Arrows that are too short must not be used (risk of accident); arrows that are too long are not beautiful, but can be used.
Hazu (cams) are made of horn (dark, light) or plastic: |
Yajiri (tips) are different for the Makiwara Renshu and for the Mato Renshu:
|
Bamboo care: clove or nut oil applied thinly, cares for the bamboo
Feather care: Ruffled feathers can be straightened again with steam.
For transport or storage the Yatsutsu - 矢筒 is used: