Many of the highest developments and refinements in traditional archery come from this continent’s rich treasury of knowledge and wisdom. The offerings below include samples spanning the vast space from the edge of Eastern Europe to Japan. Some of the offerings are imports and some are made in the U.S. and Canada.

Any of the Asian bows may be shot with the three-finger release or a thumb ring or thumb leather. All bows are equally appropriate for left or right handed persons.

Lukas Novotny and Tony Horvath of Saluki offer the following authentically and spectacularly decorated bows with matching shoot integrity. Hard durable finishes in polyurethane or epoxy. All these bows have strikingly crisp cast, with flat arrow trajectories. Made to order from 45 to 90#. Saluki is the name of a sight hunting dog originating in Northern Africa and the Middle East and is still in existence.

55," 1 3/8" wide limbs. Core wood of five fishtailed pieces, water buffalo horn on belly, and sinew on back. Leather covered, painted with blue acrylic and gold decoration. $3,000.

52," 1-3/8" at widest part of limb, same construction elements and configuration as the Crimean Tatar, horn and sinew. Purple acrylic, richly decorated in gold. $3,000.

55," 1-5/8" wide, otherwise same inner construction as the Turkish types, except the core is composed of 7 parts. Predominantly tan and maroon, chrome-tanned snakeskin limbs and painted cherry bark on ears or siyahs. $3,000. Matching bow case (holster) and quiver, $2,000. Bow decoration faithfully repeated. Any of the three composites between $1800 and $2250 with very simple or no decoration.

The Asian works of Jaap Koopedrayer deserve the world class recognition which they are receiving. The creations of YUMI are distinguished by the marked breadth of Asian coverage, and the depth of Jaap’s research, travel, experimentation, and promotion. Native of Holland and long time citizen of Canada. Pictured in the photograph above, from top to bottom a) Persian, b) Indian, c) Indian, and d) Mongolian.

Two bows exclusively for Krackow by Koppedrayer

The classic bow of the gods of India. 72," nearly a round 1" limb at handle. Bamboo back and belly with nearly square lamination segments in limbs as in Japanese Yumi, with hardwood edge strips. Jaap has perfected this replica over many years. (Normally in all light colored bamboo.) This exclusive model for Krackow has a rare smoked bamboo belly, naturally speckled bamboo back, dark cocobolo hardwood edges, with a black leather spiral wrapped handle. The limbs have several rings of cane wrapping finished with a dark Japanese urushi coating. This combination of blacks, browns, tans and grays create a very sophisticated appearance. Very sweet shooting. $950.

If you are tired of plastics and fiberglass, then this new bamboo and wood double curve composite is for you. At a length ranging from 62" to 66", this bow includes 7" long, flared hickory siyahs (or static ears) and matching string bridges. Made with bamboo on back and belly, and an inner core of vertical bamboo laminations edged with hardwood. Cork grip accented with a touch of color. Hand-rubbed finish. Exclusive for the Krackow company. Order time: 3 months. $750.

Beloved bow of the gods of India in classic double recurve design. At 70" long, the bow is made with bamboo facings over an inner core of bamboo and hardwood. In developing this bow, YUMI has made one further refinement. He takes in consideration the way the tree bends with the force of the wind. He orients the wood in the bow to capture this natural movement. When he quarter saws the hardwood he uses for the edge laminations of the inner core, he marks the lumber, and as he makes the inner laminations he uses matching side strips. Rounded at the riser to about 1" in diameter, wrapped in sting-ray skin or leather. Unique flared limb tips and hand-rubber finish. These bows can be made for a draw up to 35". Shot directly off either the right or left hand, these bows are very much alive. Specify draw weight and length. Order time: about 3 months. $750.

Design found from Northern China through South India and the steppes of Asia. A very narrow bow of double-curved slightly asymmetrical design made with water buffalo horn belly over a core structured the same way as the Japanese Yumi. The bamboo back can also be sinew-covered. 55" to 60" long. Uncannily fast and smooth, the bow also appreciates an archer knowledgeable in the use of a thumb ring. The sinew-backed bow is finished in sharkskin. Draw length of bamboo-backed bow is up to 30", and for sinew backed to 35". Specify backing, weight, and draw. Bamboo-backed. $1,400.00

Sinew- and bamboo-backed with overall sharkskin finish. $2,200.00

Truly composite reproductions using traditional materials (sinew, wood, horn, and hide glues) and technology. When unstrung, some composite styles radically reflex backwards to the point of forming a "C" shape. Short, they nonetheless accommodate a fairly long draw and develop a powerful cast. Originally shot with a thumb ring. A half dozen or so are started each year. Three years to finish. The bows demand specific training to string and use. Inquire about variations, specifications, and availability. $2,750.00

A bow of several styles, the most commonly known Chinese style in the Ww"t today is the design with the long static ears (12" long) and string bridges. Made from buffalo horn, a wood core (bamboo or mulberry) and sinew. The finished bow has a lacquered birchbark covering on the back. The horn belly is polished to a high gloss. Three years to finish. Inquire with specifications. $2,750.00

There are those who have trouble understanding that inanimate objects have life, but we can’t imagine that those people are archers. The process of releasing an arrow is indeed something alive, something dramatic, something that touches us deeply. The Millennium, pictured here, gives us a sense of the rightness of archery as a system and as something we cherish.

Combining YUMI’s bamboo bow (with ivory escutcheon plate suitable for scrimshaw or engraving— made from old piano keys) with a 42-arrow set of Gabel Arrows, and a unique stand by Strasburger, The Millennium is a beautiful and full expression of the archer’s art. Arrows include 24 shafts with field points (three-fletch), 12 with broadheads (four-fletch— check your local regulations for broadhead legality), and six flu-flus (spiral or six-fletched— two with small bird-point broadheads). Completely custom-made from start to finish. Oil finish on stand. Provided with stringer, string keeper, paste wax suitable for bow and stand. Order time: 4 months. $4,850.00

Resembling the Millennium Bow, this bow is a double-curve, 58" to 60" long, made with a combination of Superflex Actionwood and bamboo with clear glass face. Grip, made with phenolic (resin-impregnated linen), is very narrow and without a window. Suitable for longer draw lengths. Specify draw weight and length. $550.00

Truly composite reproductions using traditional techology and materials (deer and moose sinew, waterbuffalo horn, wood, and hide glues). When unstrung, some composite styles radically reflex backwards to the point of forming a "C" shape. Short, they nonetheless accomodate a fairly long draw and develop a powerful cast. The bows demand specific training to string and use. Indo-Persian styles (reproductions of bows from Persia and India) have cores built out of vertical laminations of bamboo and hardwood with spliced-in riser and ears. The hardwood laminations used in the core are carefully chosen from wood air-dried a minimum of four years. Completely enveloped with sinew and finished with many layers of lacquer, these bows are ideal for humid climates. Three years to build. Modelled after the bow used in the conquest of central Asian and parts of what is now Europe, the Mongolian style is made with a single strip of carefully selected and cured bamboo, waterbuffalo horn belly, mulberry or hickory ears, and leg sinew from moose or deer. These bows come to life with usage. Can accomodate a draw up to 35 inches. One year to build.

A double recurve with static ears (or limb ends) developed by Jaap Koppedrayer of YUMI. This bow, made with contemporary materials, captures the traditional design used by Mongolian horseback archers during their conquest of parts of Asia and Europe. The limbs are made with a combination of hardwood and a core of bamboo. The grip and statci ears are from hickory. With no stack and no finger-pinching, you have a sophisticated hunting bow. No sight window, this bow can be shot with left or right hand. Maximum draw 30" any weight. Cost $600.

Looks and performs almost exactly like a genuine composite horn bow. Polished black synthetic polymer belly on a laminated bamboo core and back covered with traditional birch bark. Mulberry siyahs. Amazing cast (Korean standard course is 154 meters). Can accommodate over-extended Korean-style draw. $370.

Polished water buffalo horn on belly, bamboo back with sinew layers, and birch bark covering on back. The centuries old patient process is seen in the application of the horn to the core which requires 10 applications of fish bladder glue each day for 7 days for each bow. Very smooth and powerful, but requires training in stringing and maintenance in order not to twist or snap. $1200.

Sleek, tempered bamboo, with very low profile fletch, self nock. With Korean target point. Arrow length? $40.00.

Custom orders from nearly 500 variations on: practice heads, war heads, display and parade heads, war trophies and votive temple offerings or gifts, and whistling heads. The parade and offering arrows are not for shooting and have intricate designs cut clear through the arrowhead. Genuine composite: soft metal in the core for resiliency, and hard on the surface for holding an edge. Several international makers. Starting at $100 and double or more for the large filigreed ones. Documentation from the five volume work of J.F.W. Pflueger, and the 1904 paper for the Japan Society by Eliza Skidmore. Cherry Blossum $308 and war arrow $110.

Ancient Ural Mountain design with a black lacquer finish. $180

These highly developed, asymmetrical bows (yumi) retain the simplicity, strength, and natural dignity of bamboo. The central core of the bow is a composite of bamboo and hardwood strips; bamboo laminations strengthen the back and belly. The bow is over 7’ in length (varies with draw length) and is shaped into five curves. The grip is almost one-third of the way from the bottom of the bow. These bows are crafted by Don Symanski who studied in Japan under the Kanjuro Shibata family. The Shibata family has been making Yumi for more than 400 years. Mr. Symanski is also an instructor of Kyudo in the United States. Call for availability and ordering details. Naturally finished bamboo on back and belly. ........ $620.00

Belly finished with multiple coats of urushi, a traditional natural Japanese lacquer (a purified tree sap from the sumac family). .......... $835.00

A list of accessories is provided with each Yumi.

These arrows (Ya), made in Japan from hardened bamboo, are an expression of functionality, beauty, and grace. Balanced for the Yumi, the hundreds of years that the Japanese have been making arrows show in each shaft. Usually sold in pairs or sets of four. Not for use with the Makiwara (straw practice target). $80.00 each

Other grades available. Please call for prices.

Bo/Ya are arrows specifically for the Makiwara, made to take the stresses of close-distance shooting. Fiberglass, $18.00 Bamboo, $28.00

Traditional glove for shooting the Japanese Yumi, made in Japan. ............ $215.00

Call for other available Kyudo supplies.

These are untapered longer shafts with horn nocks, usually made to match a particular Japanese bow (these match the strung Yumi above). Wood types vary due to availability. $300.00, set of four

Showing Turkish and Indo-Persian designs for shooting Asian and Indo-Persian bows. Made from buffalo horn or phenolic. Watch for the introduction of thumb rings in jade, other gem materials, gold, and silver. Made by Jaap Koppedrayer of YUMI. State ring size and material (horn or phenolic).$45.00

Kyudo: The Essence and Practice of Japanese Archery by Hideharu Onuma with Dan and Jackie DeProspero. First book in English by a Kyudo master. Clear treatment of goals, philosophy, mentality, and psychology of this Eastern discipline. Discusses the influence of Shinto and Zen. Numerous detailed illustrations of preparation and shooting. Highly recommended for anyone purchasing a Yumi. $32.00

Zen in the Art of Japanese Archery by Eugen Herrigel. 1989 reprint (1958 original). On the Zen way of looking at the human’s place in the scheme of things through a reflection on the mind and being of the archer. Expresses the oneness of archer-bow-string-arrow-target, et al., during training. The author is a German philosopher who studied Kyudo in Japan. $10.00

Armed Martial Arts of Japan, Swordsmanship and Archery. C. Cameron Hurst III, Yale University Press, 1988. 240 pages about equally divided between the sword and the bow in the larger context of the martial arts. B&W photos and prints, including four photos of mounted archery. $30.00.

Chinese Archery by Stephen Selby. Due out in the fall of 1999. Apparently the only comprehensive treatment of Chinese archery currently in English. Price undetermined.

Illuminated Spirit, Conversations with a Kyudo Master, by Dan and Jackie DeProspero. More of the wisdom of the late Master Hideharu Onuma. Many instructive b&w photos. Very fine. Hard cover, 143 pages. $18.00.

Indian Archery by G. N. Pant. 1978. A real feast of historical and technical information about Indian archery including 398 illustrations in 416 pages. Published in India, in English. Still available, hardback, great value.$98.00

Kyudo: The Japanese Art of Archery, by William and Joseph Acker. Some of the basics of Kyudo, a few illustrations, undersize. $9.99.

Kyudo Manual, Vol. I, Principles of Shooting. Under auspices of the All Nippon Kyudo Federation. Oversized paper, 138 pages of very high quality b&w photos and position drawings combined with written shooting instructions. $48.00 On demand only, and after a group of orders accumulate.

Imperial Guard, Metropolitan Museum print. An austere guard stands with a mighty Chinese bow in protection of the Emperor. Striking. 18" wide by 38" high. $43.00.

Korean Horn Bow Video. Detailed stages of a master bowyer making groups of horn bows. 4 Hours. $40.00

Korean Bamboo Arrow Video. Treating the bamboo and crafting the arrow. 2 Hours. $25.00

Marcus Prints. Lithograph prints by D. Mark Gabel for YUMI representing the meditation on different shooting styles. One archer reveals the influence of training in Kyudo, the meeting of archer, bow, arrow, and shooting in Zen discipline. The other captures the one-pointed concentration of Western instinctive archery. 8.5" x 11" unframed prints. $20, both.