I The purpose of this study was to compare:
1. bow length,
2. shape and size of grip
3. grip position between Shosoin round wood bows (15 samples) and Oyamazumi Shrine composite bows (9 samples).
II Differences in shooting techniques between the middle of the 8th and 14th Centuries were also examined.
1. Relationship between drawing length (50,60,70,80,90 cm), grip position and angle of grip (angle between Blip and vertical line when in NOBIAI) was measured.
2. Angle of grip while students were in full draw was also measured.
3. Pictures of shooting scenes (Zanshin posture) in Japanese war roll paintings ware examined to determine how the left hand was used in those times. Conclusions from the comparison between bows from Shosoin and Oyamazumi Shrines were:
1. Length of the bow increased from round wood bow to composite bow.
2. Drawing length also increased.
3. Grip position became higher.
Differences in Kyudo techniques between both periods ware:
1. Longer drawing arrow length in composite bow changed the way of aiming.
2. Techniques of HOOZUKE and MUNAZURU started after the change to drawing longer arrows.
3. Three pictures from two different kinds of War roll paintings made in the beginning of 13th Century described Tsunomi (Tenouchi) work were found.
4. Reason of changing grip position for the composite bow was to adjust the angle of bow grip.
If the same position as a round wood bow was used, to twist the bow in HANARE became difficult. Mobility of the left-hand wrist towards TSUNOMI direction became smaller when the wrist bent too far downwards.
The change in bows design not only producced progress in bow efficiency but also in shooting techniques during the 13th Century.
