The Kanjuro Craftsmen Have Made Bows for Samurai and the Nobility for over Four Centuries
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- Опубліковано 10 лют 2025
- Hello everyone,
When I was a kid, my dad told me about the reduction of manpower in traditional trades due to the industrialization and modernization of Japanese society. Traditional products started to become outdated and forgotten.
#SamuraiBow #SamuraiArchery #KyoYumiBows
However, there are still young people who dedicate their entire careers to preserving these traditions. We want to honor them as much as we can. Therefore, I decided to create a series of video shows about them and their work, using footage from my friends and myself.
Today’s video will be even more captivating because I have edited the script, rewritten the content, recorded new voices, added new effects, music, and footage to create something truly unique. This new creation is titled: "The Kanjuro Craftsmen Have Made Bows for Samurai and the Nobility for Over Four Centuries."
This time, our main character is a bow craftsman: Shibata Munehiro (柴田 宗博さん) from Kyoto Prefecture, born in 1984.
His teacher and father, the 21st generation bow craftsman, Shibata Kanjuro (柴田 勘十郎さん), has been his guide. From an early age, Munehiro watched his father work and aspired to become a bow craftsman. At around 23 years old, he became his father's disciple. He is working hard to acquire the necessary skills while striving to uphold the long-standing tradition. When his father retires, Munehiro will inherit his name and become the 22nd Kanjuro to lead the household.
► Where to Buy & More Information
Shibata Kanjuro Bow Shop (柴田勘十郎弓店)
Address: Japan, 〒600-8048 Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, 御幸町通万寿寺上る須浜町657
Phone: +81 75-351-1491
Facebook: / 417613494940096
Stay tuned for more insights into samurai bows, samurai archery, Kyo Yumi bows, and the art of making Japanese longbows. We will explore samurai bow and arrow making, samurai bow release techniques, kyudo bow making, and the incredible craftsmanship seen in Japanese kyudo bows.
#SamuraiBow #SamuraiArchery #KyoYumiBows #SamuraiBowAndArrow #SamuraiBowMaking #SamuraiBowRelease #JapaneseLongbow #YumiBowMaking #SamuraiArchery #KyudoBowMaking #JapaneseLongBow #MakingJapaneseBow #MakingKyudoBow #JapaneseKyudoBow #KyudoBow
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Thank you, everyone!
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His craftsmanship is awsome but working with his dad and still representing his family is priceless
It is beautiful to see you after so many years Shibata-san. I bought a bow from your father in October 1984, the year your son was born. I still use your bow. I met your father, you translated for us. I hope you live as long and a fruitful life as your father.......and thank you for the bow. It is still magnificent. Greetings from Holland Graham Nicholson
There is a new video by a UA-cam channel called “Business Insider” called “Why Japanese Longbows are so expensive?” That was put out 2 weeks ago featuring the father still working on longbows. Grey hair and all! Might wanna check it out! The son is not featured in this new video but it is very well made.
You are lucky
9:55 his smile when he saw his work is just simply precious.
A craftman who's proud of his work.
Yep. I hope father and son realize the shear weight of history they funnel through their hands.
You can see the look of pride in the father's eyes as he watches his son shaping the bow. Priceless.
It's even cooler when you google the dad and find out he was the official bowyer for 2 emperors.
As a father myself I recognized that look on his face and it warmed my heart to see it. I get the same look when my kids help me in the forge
@@indoorsandout3022 that is very impressive
@@josiahtheblacksmith467 One day I hope to pass down my crafts. I mastered several general crafts, but I'm not done learning different ones that I have to in order to start making carriages. Picked that as my specialty. afaik, Nobody does it in my area. Oh sure, there's a wagon guy, but he uses tube steel and arc welding. Blacksmithing is wonderful, especially with wrought iron. It's soft and easy to weld compared to mild steel. (King Ludd would be proud of me... lol)
@@indoorsandout3022 carriage making is very complex and time consuming to learn, a lot of dedication to do the traditional way I'm glad you are pursuing it. I have not gotten to work with wrought iron yet I just haven't found any available where I live or someone willing to give me some, it is a shame no one produces it anymore.
The best part is seeing Dad's face while watching his son.
yeah, you can see how proud he is.
Amazing craftsmanship.
The trick with the rope and bamboo when they glue the pieces together and bend it is absolutely mind bowing
Very rare to see such craftsmanship passed down through generations now. In the past, the children, especially sons, were expected to follow in their father's footsteps. But in this age of individualism, it's not something we see often. It seems that this young man went out into the world and then returned to apprentice under his father. It's beautiful to see,
The bows are outstanding and gorgeous to look at. I love to see the process of their making. Thank you for posting this!
good point, Thank you kindly!
@@WoodworkingEnthusiasts I love your video series. Excellent! 🤗
Asians are very racist. If you were to travel to japan you would be shocked at how they treat foreigners.
Fantastic work and at such a young age our crafts future is with young people like you.
yeah, I greatly appreciate it!
Wow, gentlemen, to see such talent, I bow my heart to you both, your family are so amazing, (21) and rising for over (400) h years,
Just watching you both humbles myself, to see such dedication, thank you both, Grandpa Pete, 🙏👍❤️👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
our pleasure!
It is wonderful to see someone put so much love into bamboo and turn it into a amazing piece of art.
It seems everything they do, they elevate to an artform!
Now that is clever. I like archery, and have a few bows. But watching this and knowing they are the last bow makers thereiwill buy one when i have the funds. Have always been interested in Japanese archery, and also their crafts. I have a few Japanese hand tools. But watching this has made my mind up. To own a bow made by the last bow makers would be something specail, and also a part of history. Thanks for showing.
Traditional skills and crafts are important and need to be protected and passed down. Great job passing on the skills to your son!
Thank you very much!
Very happy to see more recognition and coverage of the old trades from around the world. I think in a time of machines and de-humanization, we should step back and look at our old crafts. They are beautiful and a product of careful labor. I do hope some day soon humanity can have a better balance of old trades and new technology to make life beautiful and rich with culture and art.
yeah totally, Thank you very much for taking the time to comment so WELL
Awesome to see such skillful work that has been handed down through the generations, bravo.
Japan is so beautiful and full of history.
@Andy Burns Geneva convention wasn't until after WW2. You should brush up on history
they may not speak so much but when the father smiles for his son it says a lot
Well, good point!
Tradition are being lost as we all move to future and young people like him keeps it alive. It will be valued by those who knows.
yeah, I totally agree
Robot voice lady and insipid elevator music do not do this video any favors. I'd much rather hear the satisfying thwack of arrows hitting their targets.
and the hand work on the bamboo.
Hannibal Floyd so true..
Unfortunately the narrator seems to have a mouth full of mush.
The narrator i think goes by the surname of hirano during the broadcast.
Hannibal Floyd ....the voice didn’t bother me. It is the music.
Personally I’m more interested in how proud his father is in his son, when he watches him work
The modern tech used here: the electric element for heat treating the wood, the vernier callipers. These are wise and useful adaptations imho.
Don't forget the Makita radio 🤣
Very unique bows, layers, method of construction! Thank you.
Truly incredible workmanship. Real craft. I hope these skills live on.
thank you kindly!
we need to protect this guy at all costs
totally!
That log they do the final bends on makes it feel extremely organic and from the soul.
True artisans of this caliber must be nearly extinct. Bless these men, their patrons, and this wonderful channel. I'm privileged to have seen this.
Our pleasure!
Wow! Amazing work! What a masterpiece...👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
glad you liked it!
You are really professional👏, l indeed respect Japanese graftmen👍 ...my greetings to your father and you from Iraq, Mosul. ...good luck my bro.👋👋👋
you're welcome
@@WoodworkingEnthusiasts Thank you .lm so greatful for you. ....go ahead....
your work is wonderful ....always listen carefully to your father's notes in order to be a great teacher in the future. ...lm also like your father and teach my son carpentry. ....take care of yourself 👌👍👋👋👋👋
This level of dedication & craftsmanship is rare & deserves the respect shown. The audio was very quiet & I missed some information but couldn't miss the mastery!
His father is a very kind and generous teacher. This family makes fine yumi (bows) I have never had a flaw from their work.
Awesome
Do you know what Woodworking Enthusiasts.
Thank you oh SO VERY MUCH for sharing this VERY great enlightening short documentary with all of us!
Thank you...
Our pleasure!
That’s one proud father right there
Thank you.
You're welcome!
Less music and more explanation and translation of kanji would have made for a much better video on a very interesting subject. Disappointed.
And the music section was very bad too. They should have used something more fitting to the subject.
I like that even though its a 500 year tradition and technique they are not afraid of modernizing a little, like using heat elements and calipers
Fabulous bows..
they have safed their tradition keep it up
Thank you very much
Never let the tradition die let it live on forever.
Once again a brilliantly presented video, that young man was impressed with his effort and so he should be. I personally like the way your videos are sublime allowing a calmed focus on the craft at hand, if anything the music shows the relaxed nature of respective crafts and the calm demeanor needed to become a true master craftsman.
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Arte puro,felicitaciones al padre e hijo,y gracias por subir alimento para el alma.
it is interesting to see a crook knife in Japan. In the US they are used to make canoes and bows also. Millions of miles away and the right tool is still the right tool!
I never knew bow making can be this complex
I just got curious because of the bowyer in the Golden Temple in GoT. The game did well in showing the real way in making these bows, the bowyer also had those bamboo stakes used to curve the bow.
This is exactly why I'm here. I saw those stakes and I wanted to know what exactly it was.
Beautiful work,, thank you for showing this.
Beautiful craftsmanship!
Inspiring. Great to see such traditional craftsmen keeping their trade alive. Lovely video. Keep more such coming.
beautiful bow, natural and traditional is more beautiful
Amazing bows and craftsmen
awesome
It is so nice to see how these are build. Awsome video!
they are serious AF about bows! whatever they cost is well worth it!
The narrator was very right when she said they have a feminine quality. These are kind of wonky.
Also if they were high quality bows they would not have any severed grain lines in the bow. Native Americans are experts at this.
This is super high quality and techniques
Nice Bow
Thanks!
draw weight would have been nice - was that a rice hull glue - points of information that would have been useful - I prefer knowledge, not feel good music,
amen
@Non,Player, Adeptus There's a japanese tv docu on old war bows, they took one from a museum and tested its draw weight with modern pull measure, it was ~170 pounds. Not exactly weak by any measure, as these were used in battles to defeat lamellar steel & iron armor.
@Non,Player, Adeptus Thank you. I was wondering about that too.
@Non,Player, Adeptus There was a 196lbs Yumi constructed and weighed during the Edo period, no?
@@jonajo9757 wow thanks i thought the draw weight on japanese bows was much lower! But is it feasible that they used 170+ lbs bows with that technique - drawing partially over head? Or is this just a thing for target bows? You'd need to be hulk to do that with a heavy war bow...
Love the topic. Love the camera work. The music?
my bad!!!
Amazing piece of art.
Thanks
lovely video where do i get one
The sad thing is someone was paid for this shocking background music!
True master bowyers amazing
glad you like it
Remarkable skill.
Where can you buy one of these, anyway??
Truly things of beauty. Would love to know how much one of these sell for....?
Kanjuro Shibata (synthetic adhesive) 120,000 yen or $1,155 (tax not included)
Kanjuro Shibata (Nibe), 220,000 yen or $2,118 (tax not included)
子も孫もいとこの子も弓道をしていますが、竹弓は高くて未だ買えません。弓道愛好者が増え柴田勘十郎さんの後継者がたくさん育ちますように。
Hello. What glue do you use?
Nibe glue (made of the skin of the deer)
What's the name of the narrator program/software or app you use for the video. I thinks it's one of the best AI narrators I've heard 👍🏻
Amazon polly
@@WoodworkingEnthusiasts Amazon Polly, how do you get that? It's it an app you download 😁
you have to create an AWS(amazon web services) account
@@WoodworkingEnthusiasts thanks very much! 😁
What are the draw weight of these traditional Japanese yumi asymmetrical laminated longbows?
What little I have seen of such yumi longbows are not very heavy, as far as draw weight is concerned. Usually between 45 to 55 pounds?
Did the bow craftsmen during the feudal times (16th to 19th century) make very heavy longbows so their arrows could pierce armor? Such as with medieval English yew longbows that had heavy draw weights from 100 to 200 pounds or more.
It's around 60 pounds draw weight
@@WoodworkingEnthusiasts Thanks! Keep up the good work.
@@WoodworkingEnthusiasts Do you know how heavy the draw weights of feudal-era yumi got? Any surviving ancient bows still around. Not many medieval English longbows are around, apart from 137 longbows survive from the Renaissance period that were recovered from the Mary Rose, a ship of King Henry VIII's navy that sank at Portsmouth in 1545.
Those bows were found ranging in length from 1.87 to 2.11 m (6 ft 2 in to 6 ft 11 in) with an average length of 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in). Estimates for the draw of these bows varies considerably. The original draw forces of examples from the Mary Rose are estimated at 150-160 lbs (670-710 N) at a 30-inch (76.2 cm) draw length; the full range of draw weights was between 100-185 lbs (440-820 N). Heavy bows!
Nossa o rapaz tem a cara do Bruce Lee, tradição magnífica, artesãos incríveis!!!
Thank you!
Enjoyed and gave a Thumbs Up
Japanese : Hold.. Aim.. Fire
Mongolian : close one eye... Look up the sky... Fire... Damn i hope i miss a shot one day
Me fez recordar a infância, quando confeccionava arcos em bambu para diversão.
Parabéns!
The art of craftsmanship.
Thank you!
love the makita DAB radio in the background!!!! great craftmans ship.... love to visit there some time..
muto bacana
Im waiting for japanese turt polishing video to see how flawless the final product is.
Skill.
I wonder how different it would be to shoot with when compared to an English longbow. I had a rough time learning to shoot with those after a modern recurve.
EatenByAGrue Very different.A lot softer feel to these than a longbow
A true master.
nice
What a beautiful video. I'd love to know how old that wooden form is
I love long bow hunting. Can you buy these bows
Hunting with these is probably illegal in most states due to their low draw weight.
How about the bamboo arrows they used? How they made it
I’m amazed at how they got the curvature on the bow....
I met the old man when he moved to boulder 😁‼️
Bravo!
bending technique is really cool
Nossa o rapaz tem a cara do Bruce Lee, artesãos incríveis!!!
Hi, I have a question, how many types of traditional bows do we have in the world? I think we have a kind of bow for every nation in the world🤔
Amazing....
Amazing
Isn’t this taken from 明日への channel thingy but in English?
Yeah, you mean this channel must be named as "Door to Tomorrow"
What glue he use ?
They use a garbage low quality paste.
I want to buy one if yu can sand me details 👍
Cant find his facebook page . Its says it might have just been remove .
KANJUROOOO!!!111!! HE IS A TRAITOR
3:02 That ear tho
Someone that reminded me of Bruce Lee
Didn't know that it's a composite bow. How interesting
He'd save himself a lot of time if he made a form and bought some clamps...but i guess his intention is tradition and arr...which is nice
Just assume he knows something that you don't about the process
The facbook page of the shop is not woking.I want to buy the bow.
You are better off finding a stick in your backyard and using some string from your junk drawer.
@@chunulusbungulo5045 hi do u know are rubbish!
@@kokleongho1275 These were typically around 30 pound draw weights and still are made that way. These are toy bows.
@@chunulusbungulo5045 do u know I say u are rubbish.stop disrespect.
Do they use Tonkin Bamboo?