Changes and Constants in Archery (III)

In the 1980s, there was a Sino-Japanese animated film called "The Shooting Without Shooting." In the story, Ji Chang becomes a disciple of Fei Wei, achieving some success. Fei Wei greatly admires Ji Chang's archery skills, calling him a world-renowned archer. However, Ji Chang, driven by his competitive spirit, is not satisfied and sets out to become the world's best archer. Once again, he challenges his master, but still cannot defeat him. Fei Wei tells him about a master named Gan Sheng on Mount Emei, whose archery skills are far superior to his own. So, Ji Chang journeys to Mount Emei to become Gan Sheng's disciple. The master explains that using a bow and arrow is merely "shooting with a bow." With that, the master, without a bow and arrow, brings a hawk to its knees. Gan Sheng explains to Ji Chang that this is "shooting without a bow."

After nine years of apprenticeship with Gan Sheng, Ji Chang returns to Handan seemingly transformed, a gentle, kind, and uncontested Ji Chang emerges. Upon seeing his face, Fei Wei was astonished and bowed in awe, declaring, "This is truly the world's greatest master." From then on, Ji Chang never displayed his archery skills in public again, and he even forgot what a "bow" was. Yet, this renowned archer, without a bow in hand, became the pride of all Handan. Ji Chang said, "The ultimate action is to do nothing, the ultimate words are to say nothing, the ultimate shooting is not shooting, the ultimate shooting is shooting without shooting."

What is "shooting without shooting"? Bringing down a hawk without a bow and arrow is a myth; but can one become a master simply by putting down the bow and arrow, doing nothing, letting nature take its course, and even forgetting what a bow is? This state is so profound it's hard to imagine and comprehend...

Unable to understand, I then carefully researched the origin of "shooting without shooting" in "Zhuangzi: Tian Zifang." The original story, translated into vernacular, goes like this: Lie Yukou demonstrated his superb archery skills to Bo Hun Wu Ren. He drew his bow to its full draw, then placed a cup filled with water on his arm. He unleashed a rapid-fire barrage of arrows, each one hitting its mark, like a puppet. But Bo Hun Wu Ren disagreed. He retorted, "This is shooting, not shooting without shooting. When you're on a steep mountain, facing a chasm, can you still shoot like this?"

So, Bo Hun Wu Ren took him to the top of a rocky cliff. Standing on the edge, with the abyss dangling below, he politely bowed to Lie Yu Kou and invited him to shoot there. Lie Yu Kou was so frightened that he was sweating profusely, and his former dignity was gone. Bo Hun Wu Ren said, "A true master can gaze up to the heavens, dive into the underworld, command the four directions, and remain calm and composed in any situation. With you, it's impossible to hit the target."

Think again about what "shooting without shooting" means. Beyond perfecting one's skills, one must also cultivate one's mind to be as immovable as a mountain to truly reach the realm of mastery. While this makes sense, it seems to emphasize only the psychological training of archery, leaving the realm of "the Way of Archery" somewhat limited...

In 2012, at an archery exchange event, I met Mr. Keito Naito, who has long been known for spreading Japanese Kyudo throughout China. After a demonstration and technical exchange, he elaborated on his understanding of the "Way of Archery": "Trust is the most important thing between people." If we agree to train together at 5 a.m. every morning, we must wake up at 4 a.m. and overcome all difficulties to fulfill this commitment. I've seen many archers in China find excuses to skip training when things get tough. Excuses are easy to come by, but mutual trust is lost. Archery isn't about being the best shot; it's about cultivating the fundamental principle of honesty and integrity in the process. Without the habit of honesty, there can be no trust between people, and no harmonious society. After Mr. Naito's speech, the audience erupted in applause!

If my previous superficial understanding of the "Way of Archery" remained confined to the target and the self, the old man's words have broadened my understanding of the "Way of Archery" beyond the bow and arrow and the technique itself. With just this one word, I bow down to him and call him my master!


Think carefully about what it means to "shoot without shooting." What is the Way? It is a universal principle. The qualities of seriousness, rigor, humility, courtesy, fortitude, and trustworthiness cultivated in the study of archery are not only crucial for mastering archery, but are also universally recognized virtues in daily life and conduct. Therefore, the relationship between archery, the art of archery, and the Way of Archery is this: skill carries the Way, shooting illuminates the Way, and not shooting penetrates the Way.

Skill carries the Way: The Way is within the skill. Therefore, the unchanging principles of archery—bone support, linear force application, regarding the small as the big, and self-rectification—are manifestations of the Way applied to skill. Technique is merely a tool and means of practice, not the ultimate goal.

Archery to Understand the Dao: Studying the art of archery is a shortcut and method to "understanding the Dao." "Rectify the body" and "refining the mind"—in the process of perfecting the art of archery, one refines one's character and understands the essence and significance of the Dao.

Practice the Dao without shooting: When these qualities and principles have been internalized into one's daily conduct and behavior, whether or not one holds a bow becomes irrelevant. Farming can be practiced, cooking can be practiced, and anything else can be practiced with the Dao principles you've learned through archery, because these qualities and principles are universal laws with positive implications. This is "shooting without shooting"!

What is the "Dao of Archery"? It's the principles adults often taught us as children: "Diligence, rigor, humility, courtesy, fortitude, and trustworthiness." It's that simple, but to what extent do we adhere to these principles as adults?

To conclude this long series, let's use the words from "The Yue Girl's Discussion on Swords" in "The Spring and Autumn Annals of Wu and Yue": The Dao is subtle and easy, its meaning profound and profound. On the road of studying traditional Chinese archery, everyone will have their own choices, paths and experiences, but in the end they will all reach the same destination, because those principles with eternal charm are the same.