Ya (arrow)

Two matoya, target practice arrows.

Ya (矢, arrow) is the Japanese word for arrow, and commonly refers to the arrows used in Kyudo (弓道, Japanese archery).^[1] Ya also refers to the arrows used by samurai during the feudal era of Japan. Unlike Western arrows, the ya is close to a metre long or longer. Traditional ya are made from natural materials, while modern ones may use aluminium.

Parts of the ya

No (shaft)

The no are made from yadake bamboo and can have different shapes – straight, or tapering – depending on the use of the arrow in long-distance shooting or target practice. Lighter arrows can lose their stability when shot from a strong bow, heavier arrows have a trajectory that arcs more. Typically they use bamboo from the Kanto area. This is for a purely practical reason. Bamboo will not grow fast enough in a cold area, and the joints are too close together and in a warm area the bamboo grows too fast and the joints are too far apart. So the Kanto area has a moderate climate which makes the joints the perfect distance apart.The joints of your shaft help with the balance. After harvesting bamboo it still changes size and shape, so you have to wait 2 ½ to 3 years after cutting it to use it. When it has aged the proper time the bamboo should provide a good tight grip around the tang of your Yanone. They would temper the bamboo in a special kiln similar to the Viking beehive style and straighten it with a tool called a tomegi, or "tree tame," which is also used when creating bamboo fishing pools. The appearance of the No varies. Some were plain, while others glistened with red lacquer. The proper length is measured from the archer's throat to five centimeters beyond the tip of the outstretched left hand.^[1][2]

Fletching

The arrows are fletched with hane (feathers) about fifteen centimetres in length and can be the most expensive part of the arrow. Traditionally, the outermost tail feathers of large birds of prey were considered the finest. Many of these birds are now endangered – in particular the Sea Eagle – therefore, feathers of lesser eagles, swans, geese or even turkeys are being used in modern times. On the other hand, owl feathers were never used, as they were thought to be bringers of misfortune. They would use feathers from both the left and right wing. Because wing feathers naturally curve left or right. Ya with feathers from the left wing are called Haya and they spiral clockwise. Ya made from the right wing feathers were called Otoya and they spiraled counter-clockwise.^[1]

Nock

The nock or hazu is often made from goat or deer horn and archers file the slot to match the diameter of their own bowstring. Older or ceremonial ya can have bamboo nocks. ^[1]

Arrowheads

Ya used for target practice have a conical iron tip called a ne.^[1]

Ya used in war by the samurai had a variety of tips called yajiri or yanone; these arrowheads were forged using the same steel (tamahagane) and methods as traditional Japanese swords. There are many different kinds of arrowheads and they all have their own special name. Togari-Ya referred to a simple pointed design. The Yanagi-Ba, also known as “Willow-Leaf,” was known for its elegant design. Karimata have a unique split point, and are sometimes referred to as “Rope-Cutters.” The barbed “Flesh-Torn,” was known as Watakushi. The Tagone-Ya was shaped like a chisel. Kaburi-Ya was used for signalling and creating fear with the loud whistling noise it would produce.^[3] They were also large enough that they could be signed on the tang by the fletcher in the manner of Japanese swords.^[4]

Gallery

• 
  Antique Japanese (samurai) arrowheads Yajiri or Yanone.
• 
  Japanese arrow ya showing the feathers or flights.
• 
  Antique Japanese target arrow tips (ne).

See also

Kabura-ya (Japanese signal arrow 鏑矢)

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kyudo.

• DeProspero (1 August 2011). "Kyudo Equipment".