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About

Us
Kyudo
the Team

Our 
Story

Founded and based in Melbourne, Australia

Started as a passion project by a group of friends, we are a not-for-profit archery and martial arts association that have been training together as a group casually since mid-2020 in the height of the pandemic whenever we are able to through COVID-19 restrictions. We started off at Ambrose Archery Range in Heidelberg Heights, where a Kyudo-friendly space was set up on the side of the range for us - some of our senior members continue to train there today. Our next home was based at North Melbourne Community Centre from May 2022 to October 2023, followed by the North Melbourne Recreation Centre from November 2023 to January 2026 as we grew. The club's rapid expansion meant that by our fourth year of operations, we moved into our third venue  in February 2026, and are currently based in Bundha Sports Centre in Fitzroy North.

 

With increased training and regularity, it wasn't long before Odoguma Kyudo Melbourne was "officially" born in February 2022 under the affiliations of Australia's state and national associations, Victorian Kyudo Association and Australian Kyudo Association respectively, and have further incorporated in March 2022.

As a nod to the city we reside in, our name is inspired by one of Melbourne's old names, "Bearbrass" (though "Batman" was heavily considered!), by inverting the name to "brass bear" which translates to 黄銅熊 (Ōdōguma). Following this, our logo is designed with the bear paw print and traditional arrow design in the style of the Japanese kamon. As a club founded in passion, we hope to represent both the Japanese and Australian culture with respect and aim to bring the art of Kyudo to the public.

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What is Kyudo?

弓道 (Kyūdō)

Kyudo is the Japanese martial art of archery, characterised by the distinctive asymmetrical longbow, and its emphasis on being about the Spirit as much as it is about the Body.

 

As with all budo, Kyudo practise includes the idea of moral and spiritual development, with rei (礼) being etiquette and attitude towards others as one of the cornerstones. Whilst modern Kyudo is gradually being enjoyed as a sport, hitting the target is not the goal. Rather, the philosophy that underpins Kyudo is when the technique of the shooting is correct, the arrow will hit the target as a result.

 

The goal of Kyudo, per All Nippon Kyūdō Federation (ANKF), is the state of shin-zen-bi (真善美), roughly "truth-goodness-beauty", which can be approximated as: when archers shoot correctly (i.e. truthfully) with virtuous spirit and attitude toward all persons and all things which relate to Kyudo (i.e. with goodness), beautiful shooting is realized naturally.

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An interview with 8th Dan Hanshi (範士 'Master' - the highest title in Kyudo), Mariko Satake, encapsulates what Kyudo is:

Meet the Team

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Rachel Fisher

レイチェル・フィッシャー

President (2022 -)

Chief Instructor (2022 -)

Founder

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4th Dan - practising since 2013

ENGLISH | JAPANESE

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NAATI Certified Translator Japanese to English | Australian Kyudo Association Taikai Committee Rep (2025-2026)

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Kris He

クリス・へー

Vice President (2026 -)

Instructor (2025 - )

Founder

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3rd Dan - practising since 2022

ENGLISH | MANDARIN | CANTONESE

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General Committee (2022-2025)​
 

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Calista Wu

カリスタ・ウー

Secretary (2022 -)
Instructor (2022 -)

Founder

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3rd Dan - practising since 2015

ENGLISH | MANDARIN

 

Australian Kyudo Association Vice President (2021-) | Victorian Kyudo Association President (2017-2020/2023-)

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Zen Chan

ゼン・チャン

Treasurer (2022 -)

Founder

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2nd Dan - practising since 2021

ENGLISH | MANDARIN | CANTONESE

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Ray Chan

レー・チャン

General Committee (2026 -)

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2nd Dan - practising since 2023

ENGLISH | MANDARIN | CANTONESE

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Charlene Jiang

シャーリーン・ジャン

Instructor (2026 -)

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3rd Dan - practising since 2021

ENGLISH | MANDARIN | SHANGHAINESE | JAPANESE

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Australian Kyudo Association Taikai Committee Rep (2026-)

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Diego Leiva Ruiz

ディエゴ・リーバ ルイス

Instructor (2026 -)

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4th Dan - practising since 2015

ENGLISH | SPANISH

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Victorian Kyudo Association Vice President (2023-)

Credits

We would like to acknowledge the donated time, skill, and creative works from the following members, past and present. Thank you for your contribution!

Past Committee

Da Fang | Vice President and Dojo Architect | Appointed 8 March 2022 | Resigned 25 October 2024

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Creative

Calista Wu (since 2022 - Current Logo, Website, Marketing & Merchandise Design) | Crystal Chong (2025 - Merchandise Design) | Da Fang (2022 to 2024 - Photography, Video Editing, Dojo Equipment Construction) | Diego Leiva Ruiz (since 2024 - Dojo Equipment Construction) | ​Eric Chau (2022 to 2026 - Photography) | Kris He (since 2022 - Photography, Videography, Video Editing & Merchandise Design) | Rachel Fisher (since 2022 - Social Media, Marketing & Merchandise Design) | Ray Chan (since 2023 - Photography) | Sujith Ranjitkumar (2025 - Merchandise Design) | Zen Chan (since 2022 - Dojo Equipment Construction, Photography)

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