Traditional Art in Modern Japan series

 

Kyudo, or the “Way of the Bow,” is the Japanese martial art of archery and is practiced by thousands globally. This martial art traces its origins back to prehistoric times, when the use of the bow and arrow proliferated. The system of Kyudo and its techniques have changed over time, but the version that we see now has endured since the Edo period. Today, Kyudo is primarily practiced for its educational and athletic aspects, as a way to discipline your mind and body.

Join us on Zoom for a comprehensive introduction to Kyudo, as we delve into the unique development of the martial art across the long history of Japan. We will also learn about the traditions, equipment, spiritual aspects, differences between Kyudo and western-style archery, and more! Our amazing speakers Maria and Tim of Redwood Kyudojo, a place to practice and experience Kyudo in the Bay Area, will be showing us a small demo before answering questions from the audience. Maria is Renshi 6 Dan and President of American Kyudo Association. Tim is Renshi 5 Dan.

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Date and Time:
Wednesday, February 23rd, 2022 at 4:30-5:30 P.M. (PDT)
Thursday, February 24th, 2022 at 9:30-10:30 A.M. (Japan Time)

Price:
FREE!
*via Zoom 

Agenda (Pacific Time):

4:30-4:35 Welcome and Opening

4:35-5:05 Walkthrough and Demonstration, Maria Peterson & Tim Macmillan | Redwood Kyudojo

5:05-5:25 Q&A, Moderator Fred Borda | COO, Aerial Innovation

5:25-5:30 Closing, Takahide Akiyama | President, Japan Society of Northern California 

OUR AMAZING SPEAKERS
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Maria Peterson | Renshi 6th Dan, Founder of Redwood Kyudojo

Maria Peterson works in Corporate Venturing & Innovation for JSR Micro, Inc in Sunnyvale, California. Maria was inspired by the beauty and power of the Japanese bow and began her kyudo study in 1994 in California. In 2016 she designed and built the first kyudojo on the West Coast, Redwood Kyudojo, in La Honda, California. Maria is President of Redwood Kyudojo, also President of the Northern California Kyudo Federation (NCKF), President of the American Kyudo Renmei (AKR), and a Director of the International Kyudo Federation (IKYF). She has the rank of Renshi 6-dan (ANKF) and Sanbontou (Ogasawara-Ryu). Together with Tim, she leads regular kyudo sessions at Redwood Kyudojo for a growing group of students.

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Tim Macmillan | Renshi 5th Dan

Tim Macmillan began his kyudo study in the UK and was invited to Japan to learn kyudo from Hideharu Onuma Hanshi. In 2012 Tim and Maria met through one of the joint practices of the NCKF. They were married in 2019 and continue to co-teach at Redwood Kyudojo. Tim has trained in Yabusame (horse archery) and performs at Nikko Toshogu in the Fall events. In 2021 Tim and Maria opened Ogasawara-Ryu America; Tim is Shibucho (Head) and Maria is Jimukyoku (Secretary). Tim is Renshi 5-dan (ANKF) and Nurimuchi (Ogasawara-Ryu).

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Fred Borda | COO, Aerial Innovation

Fred has been training in Shotokan karate for about 35 years. He is a senior instructor at the Silicon Valley Shotokan Karate dojo in Palo Alto. He began his training in college and then trained under some of the world’s best karate instructors at the Japan Karate Association Souhonbu Dojo and at the world-renowned Hoitsugan Dojo, both in Tokyo. He has also been fortunate to learn from excellent instructors in the U.S.  In his professional life, as a principal at Aerial Innovation, Fred helps large enterprises, government institutions, and stakeholders in Japan and around the world to plan and build infrastructure, businesses and policies that will drive the growth of the commercial drone and new air mobility ecosystem. Fred has worked with Japan’s technology sector for over 20 years, advising large telecommunications and IT organizations on technology and strategy.