Why Japanese Longbows Are So Expensive | So Expensive

I really like how he is concerned with not making his product reserved for a small group through cost. He cuts time and cost where he can while preserving the important traditions and quality. Bravo. That’s how you help traditions survive.

I love the extreme duality of Japan. Hi tech yet has deep connections to traditions hundreds of years old.

This man is not only a craftsman, not only an engineer, but also a philosopher. I am deeply impressed. He is a good guy with the right values and an incredible level of skill.

I bought my bow from his father in 1984, 39 years later it is still going strong. At that time, Kanjuro-san was about 20 or so. He translated for me. It was a pleasure to be in the presence of his father.

I like how he is willing to adapt to modern times but still preserves tradition and the needed quality

Like how practical he is. Willing to change tradition and adopt modern technology to increase efficiency. The bows aren't even that expensive.

The fact that his family has done this for over 450 years is super impressive and amazing!

Japan is a country where people are still deeply devoted to their traditional crafts. Amazing to see that go side by side with the modern high-tech they also make. I could watch this guy for hours in silence, just enjoying his skilled craftsmanship.

This is Kanjuro Shibata the 21st. He is the leader of my school of Kyudo. He’s a low key, unassuming guy. He comes over the the US and does workshops periodically, and I was lucky enough to attend one and watch him bend a bow with wedges. He is using the same techniques that were used 400 years ago. Japanese bows are so long because Japan didn’t have a good supply of either hardwood or cattle bone and sinew. They relied on relatively weak bamboo. The longer the bow, the less any one part of it bends. Notice that the grip of the bow is not in the center but about 1/3 of the way up. That is better for both short people and horseback use. The thing about a yumi (Japanese longbow) is that it is both high performance and delicate. These days beginners start on fiberglass bows because you can break a bamboo bow if you use it wrong. Use it right and you get more arrow energy for less pull weight than a Western European longbow. Kyudo is a great meditative practice.

21st-Generation Bow Maker?!?!? He's a legend! It's expensive because people like this are artisans who take time and dedication to make his work. Simply amazing

One of the reason I love Japan is that they're good at keeping many of their traditions alive.

450 years of traditionaly bow making. This Man is incredible. Respect for him.

It's cool to see people appreciate the art and still move with time and make things more accessible to more people. What a cool human being

Why japanese stuff is expensive? Answer: The effort of Japaneses artisans in their craft is beyond belief

I'd agree that he's an engineer. He's also an amazing artist.

I love how Japan has traditions that through dozens of family generations. I've seen multiple videos with Japanese people carrying on a tradition for centuries

Compared to other products on this show, this one actually has a good balance between cost, craftsmanship, and performance. For some products, the cost seems to correspond more to the ego of the maker than the actual worth of the item. This is a very high-quality item that many people will be able to afford if they save up.

Finally! A Japanese craftsman who isn't trying to sell us the usual "10 yr story". He genuinely sees that making the product more attainable keeps the sport alive, and therefore increasing the potentional market for the more expensive heritage pieces.

As a Korean, I took up bow when I was a kid. I have incredible respect for Kyu-Do of Japan. Such a fine art and incredible craftmanship.

Beautiful bows; what a privilege to watch them being made. My own solid yew English longbow cost nearly £1,000, so the prices being asked for these craftsman-made Japanese longbows seems reasonable to me. I know people who paid a lot more than that for some golf clubs (not even a full set). 🇬🇧