Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Timmah on September 03, 2007, 10:07:45 am
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Hey Guys,
I am very keen to attempt a Japanese longbow as a new project. I have been unable to find any information on the construction of these bows. Even the bowyers bibles don't provide much info on the subject. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with making a Yumi? If so does anyone have any plans/dimensions for these bows and the bow forms used? How does one tiller an asymmetric bow??
Cheers,
Tim
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Dang I wish I could remember where I saw an article on these bows could have been PA or somewhere else.
I do remember my impression that they looked complicated but they are very impressive looking. If you do build one please consider a build along
for all of us voyeurs ;D
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Yep if you find the info and get started on one I'd like to see a build along too.
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I remember Jaap Koppedrayer(sp?) had a video out long ago. He showed making these bows by wrapping them with cord and driving bamboo wedges beneath each wrap of the cord until he had the disired profile. Then into the heat box to cure the glue. Maybe someone else can chime in to elaborate or provide more info.?
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See if you can find the book,"Kyudo The Essence and Practice of Japanese Archery".It's by Hideharu Onuma.It has what you are looking for including pictures of the forms and what woods were used.But there was an article in one of the back issues of PA.
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Try contacting Jaap, at Yumi Bows for info. Pat
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I thought I was the only one that wanted to make one but didn't know how. I just cant seem to wrap my mind around the tiller. I think a build along would definately be in order. Justin
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There is an article on the design and theory in PA 1999,Volume 7 issue 4 page 45.It is from another article by Mrs. Jaap Koppedrayer,volume 3,I.1
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I believe it is tillered like 3 separate bows...one on the bottom and 2 on top. Pat
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hi! - so much i can say: i have made bows using the same sort of limb cross-section; back and belly layer of bamboo, core from vertical bamboo sandwiched between two hardwood stripes. i have learned that from jaap in a clinic he led in germany last summer.
also i learned from him how to use rope and wedges for both gluing the bow up and reflexing it at the same time. yumis are neither made on bowforms nor are they tillered after the gluing process; jaap's video 'all tied up in bowmaking' will show you the rope and wedges method quite well.
the form of the yumi is something quite tricky: not only is the bow heavily asymmetrical and needs to bend in certain ways at certain segments of the limbs, but also is the string supposed to be off center - off the bow to be precise - to the right (seen from belly side) as shown in the picture you posted. the bow can therefore only be shot using a special glove or at least a thumbring.
i would recommend to try a normal longbow
(maybe check: http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,1824.msg22429.html#msg22429 )
or double-curve with this sort of limb cross section before trying a yumi to get familiar with the technique.
frank
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I will be seeing Jaap this weekend, I will ask if he has any new info or any he recomends. Steve
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I will be seeing Jaap this weekend, I will ask if he has any new info or any he recomends. Steve
tell him frank from germany says hi, please!
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Wow Im blown away. No form or tillering! I might try and get my hands on that video.
Thanks for your advice guys.
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Does anyone know if the Jaap Koppedrayer yumi video is still available anywhere?
Thanks,