Frequently Asked Questions

  • It is currently held once a year during the Fall semester.

    The next one is on Monday, September 21st, 2026 from 7pm to 8:30pm.

  • It is held in our short-range dojo at 2022 rue Sherbrooke Est, Montréal, H2K 1B9 (please ring the doorbell). Socks must be worn inside the dojo (no bare feet).

  • It is offered in French, with English translation if needed.

  • We will start by providing a brief overview of Kyudo Québec. Next, you will be invited to observe part of a regular practice session, after which there will be time for a few questions (not already covered in this FAQ). Those who wish to stay for a hands-on experience will be able to try a few training exercises that will give you a feel for the movements, and opening of a training bow. 


    At the end of the info-demo, if you have read and understood the requirements, and are prepared to follow dojo rules (the basics are listed below), you may add your name to a list from which participants of the Introductory Course will be selected at random.

  • Registration is required at least 24 hours in advance, and is first-come-first-served. Attendance is free of charge but spots are limited (20-25 max). As long as spots are still available, your registration will be confirmed via email. If you do not hear from us, we invite you to sign up for the next info-demo evening once the date is announced.

  • Please open the Registration Form and follow the steps.

  • Yes, but they must fill out their own registration form.

  • No. Due to limited capacity, participants will be selected at random in the days following the info-demo evening, from the list of interested participants who have read and understood the requirements.

 

The Introductory Course :

  • It is held in our dojo at 2022 rue Sherbrooke Est, Montréal, H2K 1B9.

  • The next course starts on Monday October 5th at 6pm.

  • The course is 8 consecutive Mondays from 6pm to 9pm, from October 5th to November 23rd, 2025.

  • It is currently offered once a year during the Fall semester.

  • It is offered in French, with English translation if needed.

  • The class size is limited to 4 participants.

  • The cost is $200 CAD which includes: 

    • Mandatory insurance coverage for 1 year through the Fédération de Tir à l'Arc du Québec (FTAQ)

    • Access to school equipment during the 8-week course (bow, string, arrows, glove)

    • Instruction and supervision by one or more of our instructors

    • A length of grey Theraband elastic to practice the movements at home and to work on body postures and alignments required for correct shooting

  • Yes. Please see below.

Requirements for the Introductory Course :

  1. You must commit to attend all 8 weeks (Mondays from 6pm-9pm, Oct. 5th to Nov. 23rd).

  2. You should be in overall good health. Any new or old injuries, particularly in the elbows, shoulders, wrists, feet, and/or neck, may make learning Kyudo difficult and painful. In the past, it has led to participants dropping out of the Introductory Course, or leaving the dojo shortly after.

    (NB: The instructors are all volunteers and prefer to invest their limited time and energy in those who are most likely to continue practicing regularly. Our records have shown that on average, out of 10 people who complete the Introductory Course, only 1 or 2 stay with the dojo beyond 8 months, hence this list of requirements.)

  3. If you decide to become a member after the Introductory Course, you should be prepared to regularly attend the twice-weekly practices (Mondays & Thursdays, 6pm-9pm) for at least 8 to 12 months. Regular attendance is crucial to becoming autonomous in your practice and to develop a sense of belonging in the dojo. Please consider what is realistic for you if you live and/or work outside Montreal, or if you already have a packed schedule. 

  4. Kyudo is a traditional Japanese martial art where instruction is given in-person by an instructor or a senior student. You must be willing and able to receive instruction from both women and men who are in a position of authority.

  5. Kyudo is rooted in the norms of Japanese society, which is collective, rather than individualist. You must be willing to take ownership of your practice in order to be able to better contribute to the group (by doing homework like studying documents and practicing movements). Group harmony is valued over the immediate comfort or preferences of an individual.

Basic Dojo Rules :

  • All jewellery (necklaces, earrings, facial piercings) must be removed for safety reasons.
    If you have a new piercing, you may cover it with clear medical tape.

  • Rings affect the shooting and must be removed.

  • Nails must be kept short in order to manipulate the bow properly.

  • Coloured nail polish should be avoided as it does not contribute to the practice.

  • Long hair must be tied back. Hair that gets in your face must be pinned or otherwise held back.

  • You must maintain good personal hygiene and bring clean clothes to practice in.

  • No strong perfume/cologne, etc. 

  • No bare feet allowed in the dojo. Please wear white socks.

 

Membership :

  • The annual membership fee for members who borrow school equipment (bow / string / arrows / glove) is $560.00 + $63.00 for the mandatory 1-year FTAQ insurance.

  •  Kyudo Québec makes a concerted effort to keep membership fees as low as possible. 

    Membership includes access to the following :

    • Twice-weekly evening practices (6pm-9pm) at both dojos: Circuit-Est (CE) on Mondays & Saint-Jean Berchmans (SJB) on Thursdays. This is an average of about 48 weeks of practice per year.

    • More globally, membership fees cover rent, replacing and renewing school equipment, website maintenance and other expenses related to supporting members and maintaining our training infrastructure. 

    • Occasional full-day practices (Saturday or Sunday) & special seminars with invited senseis are offered at an additional cost.

  • The membership fee is paid either in one instalment (Jan 1st) or in three instalments (January 1st / May 1st / September 1st). Your annual membership fee is adjusted pro-rata based on the date you become a member. It is not possible to pay membership fees on a monthly or pay-as-you-go basis, and we do not offer private or "à la carte" lessons.

Additional Information :

  • Kyudo Québec Inc. was founded in 1991 and is a registered non-profit organization (NPO). 

  • We are a small community of dedicated people who practice an art that seems simple on the surface, but can be deep, complex, and difficult to master.  

  • Kyudo (The Way of the Bow) is a martial art with its own etiquette and moral code; note that the customs and uniforms of other Japanese martial arts are not appropriate.

  • Kyudo is best approached mindfully, not simply as a sport or pastime. It offers an endless path to personal growth, as each arrow released is an opportunity to observe one’s self, and "to strive for perfection as a human being" (Kyudo Manual Vol. 1, p. 8).

  • Committed individual practice contributes to group harmony which is expressed in shooting for examinations (Shinsa no maai) and in formal demonstrations (Sharei/Enbu). 

  • Successful practice requires patience, perseverance, concentration, detachment, and humility, especially in the early stages of training.