In 1924, a German professor named Eugen Herrigel set out to learn about Zen Buddhism, which was starting to penetrate the West. He found a teaching position in Japan, where he hoped to locate someone who could instruct him in the philosophy. Rather than the sort of course he had in mind, he was informed that because he lacked proficiency in Japanese, he would be required instead to learn a skill'namely, kyudo (the way of the bow)'and this would indirectly impart the Zen truths that he sought. To this end, Herrigel took up his archery studies with the master Awa Kenzo, which he later chronicled in his 1948 book, Zen in the Art of Archery. Herrigel's archery program was arduous and frustrating. 'Drawing the bow caused my hands to start trembling after a few moments, and my breathing became more and more laboured,' he wrote. 'Nor did this get any better during the weeks that followed.' Indeed, the weeks became months, and the months wound up becoming five years. At long last, Herrigel...
learn more
