Can you find me a book on the construction of a Japanese (or Samurai) longbow?
Thanks,
Mary

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Request for Question Clarification by czh-ga on 26 Jun 2005 15:00 PDT

Hello mary1954-ga,

My preliminary research leads me to ask you about exactly what you
mean by Japanese longbow. Are you talking about yumi in general or
specifically only daikyu. Also, you asked for "a book on the
construction" of such a bow. Are you only interested in books on this
subject or would online resources meet your needs. There are lots of
websites that discuss the construction of yumi.

I look forward to your clarification.

~ czh ~

http://www.answers.com/topic/yumi
Yumi (?, ??) is the Japanese term for bows (which includes the
longbow, Daikyu and the shortbow, hankyu) used in the practice of
Kyudo (??, Japanese archery).

http://www.tlucretius.net/DoK/Weapons.htm
Bows
maru-ki (roundwood bow): 7/5/1 
shige-no-yumi (bow wound round with rattan): 7/5/1 
han-kyu and ban-kyu (classic bows, same style but smaller): 7/4/1 
hoko-yumi (Tartar-shaped bow): 7/5/1 
daikyu (great war bow): 8/5/1.  The minimum strength requirement to
use a daikyu is 6.
yumi (light cavalry bow): 7/5/1 
uma-yumi (heavy cavalry bow): 8/5/1.  The minimum strength requirement
to use an uma-yumi is 6.

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Clarification of Question by mary1954-ga on 26 Jun 2005 18:06 PDT

Yumi is fine.  I prefer a book.  Online will do as long as it has
instructions and diagrams that are usuable in the building of the bow.
Mary

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Clarification of Question by mary1954-ga on 05 Jul 2005 07:19 PDT

Am I going to get anymore answers or not?  I clarified your question
and I haven't heard anything for a week?  How do I contact Customer
Service?

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Request for Question Clarification by czh-ga on 05 Jul 2005 08:09 PDT

Dear mary1954-ga,

I took a look at your question and wasn't able to find a quick answer.
I had the opportunity to answer some questions that were easier at
your price and some that were tough but priced much higher. Your
question will go to the top of the waiting line with this
clarification. Maybe a researcher who is more familiar with Japanese
culture will be able to answer your question.

http://answers.google.com/answers/faq.html
http://answers.google.com/answers/pricing.html


All the best.

~ czh ~

I Googled "composite bow" (that's the type of bow a Japanese longbow
is) and I got this site along with many others:
http://www.primitiveways.com/pt-composite_bow.htm

Sorry, that link should be
http://www.primitiveways.com/pt-composite_bow.html

The bow I am asking about is over 7 feet long and not curved like the
those on the links you sent.
Thanks anyway,
Mary