Zen in the Art of Archery
Encyclopedia
Zen in the Art of Archery is a short book written by Eugen Herrigel
which brought Zen to Europe after World War II
. The book was first published in 1948, in Germany.
. From 1924 to 1929 he taught philosophy in Japan, and studied Kyūdō
(the art of the Japanese bow
) under a master named Awa Kenzô. Awa taught kyūdō in a way that was regarded by some as a mystical religion, called Daishadokyo. Daishadokyo was an approach to kyūdō that placed great emphasis on the spiritual aspect and differed from much of the mainstream practice at the time. In 1936, Herrigel wrote a 20-page essay about his experiences, and then in 1948 expanded the essay into a short book. The book was translated into English in 1953 and Japanese in 1955.
Buddhism or traditional Japanese archery (kyūdō), it is well liked by many and has been a bestseller for more than fifty years. Many of the ideas in the book have become fundamental tenets of how Westerners view Zen
Buddhism. One example is the idea that a devotee studies simple tasks for many years at the feet of a master, before being allowed to do more substantial tasks. These perhaps mistaken ideas of Zen and kyūdō being synonymous have gained some interest in Japan, and especially in the west, with schools devoted to "Zen archery."
The book contains accurate ideas about motor learning and control, that provide useful lessons for learning any sport or physical activity. For example, a central idea in the book is that through years of practice, a physical activity becomes effortless both mentally and physically, as if the body executes complex and difficult movements without conscious control from the mind.
Herrigel describes Zen in archery
as follows:
, and more recently Ray Bradbury
's Zen in the Art of Writing
, as well as "Zen and the Art of Poker,", "Zen and the Art of Knitting", and Crazy Legs Conti: Zen and the Art of Competitive Eating
, and so on. The common theme is usually that doing an ordinary task, such as fixing your motorcycle, can have a spiritual dimension. One must note, however, the key difference between the original text, namely, 'zen in,' and subsequent, purportedly related texts, 'zen and.' Given the nature of the most famous of texts from both groups, ZAMM, is of the latter nature style of title (and, rather than in) one must ask if ZAMM is not a product of the archery text, but rather, an 'unintended' or 'inadvertent' (and unknown to RP during writing and publication), of which was subsequently copied by others.
Eugen Herrigel
Eugen Herrigel was a German philosopher who taught philosophy at Tohoku Imperial University in Sendai, Japan, from 1924-1929 and introduced Zen to large parts of Europe through his writings.While living in Japan from 1924 to 1929, he studied kyūdō, traditional Japanese archery, under Awa...
which brought Zen to Europe after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The book was first published in 1948, in Germany.
Author
Herrigel (1884–1955) was a German professor of philosophy, with a special interest in mysticismMysticism
Mysticism is the knowledge of, and especially the personal experience of, states of consciousness, i.e. levels of being, beyond normal human perception, including experience and even communion with a supreme being.-Classical origins:...
. From 1924 to 1929 he taught philosophy in Japan, and studied Kyūdō
Kyudo
, literally meaning "way of the bow", is the Japanese art of archery. It is a modern Japanese martial art and practitioners are known as .It is estimated that there are approximately half a million practitioners of kyudo today....
(the art of the Japanese bow
Yumi
is the Japanese term for bows, and includes the longer and the shorter used in the practice of kyūdō, or Japanese archery. The yumi was an important weapon of the samurai warrior during the feudal period of Japan.-History of the yumi:...
) under a master named Awa Kenzô. Awa taught kyūdō in a way that was regarded by some as a mystical religion, called Daishadokyo. Daishadokyo was an approach to kyūdō that placed great emphasis on the spiritual aspect and differed from much of the mainstream practice at the time. In 1936, Herrigel wrote a 20-page essay about his experiences, and then in 1948 expanded the essay into a short book. The book was translated into English in 1953 and Japanese in 1955.
Book
Regardless of whether the book is an accurate portrayal of ZenZen
Zen is a school of Mahāyāna Buddhism founded by the Buddhist monk Bodhidharma. The word Zen is from the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese word Chán , which in turn is derived from the Sanskrit word dhyāna, which can be approximately translated as "meditation" or "meditative state."Zen...
Buddhism or traditional Japanese archery (kyūdō), it is well liked by many and has been a bestseller for more than fifty years. Many of the ideas in the book have become fundamental tenets of how Westerners view Zen
Zen
Zen is a school of Mahāyāna Buddhism founded by the Buddhist monk Bodhidharma. The word Zen is from the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese word Chán , which in turn is derived from the Sanskrit word dhyāna, which can be approximately translated as "meditation" or "meditative state."Zen...
Buddhism. One example is the idea that a devotee studies simple tasks for many years at the feet of a master, before being allowed to do more substantial tasks. These perhaps mistaken ideas of Zen and kyūdō being synonymous have gained some interest in Japan, and especially in the west, with schools devoted to "Zen archery."
The book contains accurate ideas about motor learning and control, that provide useful lessons for learning any sport or physical activity. For example, a central idea in the book is that through years of practice, a physical activity becomes effortless both mentally and physically, as if the body executes complex and difficult movements without conscious control from the mind.
Herrigel describes Zen in archery
Archery
Archery is the art, practice, or skill of propelling arrows with the use of a bow, from Latin arcus. Archery has historically been used for hunting and combat; in modern times, however, its main use is that of a recreational activity...
as follows:
- "(...) The archer ceases to be conscious of himself as the one who is engaged in hitting the bull's-eye which confronts him. This state of unconscious is realized only when, completely empty and rid of the self, he becomes one with the perfecting of his technical skill, though there is in it something of a quite different order which cannot be attained by any progressive study of the art (...)"
Influences
The title "Zen in the Art of Archery" may have inspired a series of similar, but fundamentally different titles. Indeed, more than 200 books now have similar titles, including Robert Pirsig's 1974 widely popular book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle MaintenanceZen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values is a 1974 philosophical novel, the first of Robert M. Pirsig's texts in which he explores his Metaphysics of Quality.The book sold 5 million copies worldwide...
, and more recently Ray Bradbury
Ray Bradbury
Ray Douglas Bradbury is an American fantasy, horror, science fiction, and mystery writer. Best known for his dystopian novel Fahrenheit 451 and for the science fiction stories gathered together as The Martian Chronicles and The Illustrated Man , Bradbury is one of the most celebrated among 20th...
's Zen in the Art of Writing
Zen in the Art of Writing
Zen in the Art of Writing was written by Ray Bradbury and published in 1990.http://billwardwriter.com/zen-in-the-art-of-writing-review/ It is collection of essays written by Bradbury about his love for writing.*Essays included are:**The Joy of Writing...
, as well as "Zen and the Art of Poker,", "Zen and the Art of Knitting", and Crazy Legs Conti: Zen and the Art of Competitive Eating
Crazy Legs Conti: Zen and the Art of Competitive Eating
Crazy Legs Conti: Zen And The Art Of Competitive Eating is a 2005 documentary film portraying the culture of competitive eating. It was directed by Danielle Franco and Christopher Kenneally....
, and so on. The common theme is usually that doing an ordinary task, such as fixing your motorcycle, can have a spiritual dimension. One must note, however, the key difference between the original text, namely, 'zen in,' and subsequent, purportedly related texts, 'zen and.' Given the nature of the most famous of texts from both groups, ZAMM, is of the latter nature style of title (and, rather than in) one must ask if ZAMM is not a product of the archery text, but rather, an 'unintended' or 'inadvertent' (and unknown to RP during writing and publication), of which was subsequently copied by others.
External links
- Herrigel, Eugen. Zen in the Art of Archery ISBN 0-679-72297-1.
- Yamada Shôji, "The Myth of Zen in the Art of Archery." Japanese Journal of religious studies, Spring 2001, 28/1–2. (Number 586). Alternate point of view. full-text PDF 265K
- "Zen in the Art of Archery - A practitioner's View", Liam O'Brien, Kyoshi 7 dan full-text PDF
- Zen in the Art of Archery - Book Review at the Open Critic