On a bright day in the hills above Liège, a peaceful hall was transformed into a place of learning and presence, dedicated to teaching women how to wear a kimono, and more specifically the discreet but essential art of the tasuki.
Welcomed by Béatrice, Agnès, Joanna, Fouen, and Camille from the Liège Dojo, who had carefully prepared a space conducive to contemplation and learning, the participants—exclusively women of all levels, including mudan and beginners—were guided throughout the seminar by two high-ranking instructors, Anja B. from Luxembourg and Anne B. from Brussels. It was a wonderful opportunity for everyone, regardless of their grade, to learn about or deepen their knowledge of traditional clothing, which is not limited to aesthetics but engages the whole body and even the mind.
Before the first movements, the day began with the rei, traditional greetings that set the right framework. Anja B. and Anne B. paid tribute to SATAKE Mariko, Hanshi 9th dan, who recently passed away at the age of 77. A moment of silent reflection honored the memory of this figure in women’s kyūdō, a source of inspiration for generations of practitioners.
Following this tribute, one of the participants asked a question with disarming sincerity: “How long have women been practicing kyūdō?” It was an essential question that resonated with the heart of the day. Today, kyūdō is a deeply mixed art, and many women—like SATAKE Mariko—have contributed and continue to contribute powerfully to its influence. This day was proof of that.
The teaching followed the order of the clothing: the tabi, points of connection to the ground, then the hakama, loose and dense black trousers that provide stability. This was followed by a moment of physical awakening to anchor the posture, release the meditative breath, the tanden, and learn to feel the verticality of the back, which is so essential in the practice of kyūdō. This was followed by the study of the shitagi, the obi, and finally the kimono itself, with particular attention paid to how to cross it, adjust it, and tie it with the tasuki, a silky, discreet but indispensable tie that is not just a practical accessory to hold the sleeves in place. This piece of fabric, measuring nearly 2.2 meters, became a symbol of the delicacy of the gesture, a kind of extension of the kokoro—the spirit of the heart—which makes free and sincere gestures possible.
Each step of the tasukisabaki was guided with precision and patience by the two teachers, revealing the subtleties of a way of dressing that involves much more than just the hands. Anja B. also took the time to demonstrate an often overlooked but essential gesture: how, in the kiza position, to correctly place and balance the yumi and arrows (ya) on the thighs before even tackling the piece of fabric delicately yet firmly placed on the edge of the hakama. Although practitioners must wait until they reach 4th dan to wear the kimono for shooting ceremonies, preparing early to wear this garment, learning to understand it and feel comfortable in it, becomes an essential part of every practitioner’s journey.
Each knot tied, each fold adjusted became a silent offering to tradition. And, in sharing these ancestral gestures, a new awareness slowly took shape: wearing the kimono also means carrying within oneself a collective memory—that of the women who, before us, walked the same path, the Way of Kyūdō. Each participant, in the silence of attention, left with more than knowledge: an incredible experience. The impression of having touched, through the fabric, something timeless.
Finally, the exclusively female format of this day offered a welcome space of freedom. Being able to talk freely about the small, often unspoken but universal realities of everyday life brought a touch of joyful camaraderie to the seriousness of the seminar. The beautiful kakiyasume, a cylindrical piece that is slipped into the glove, was warmly presented to us by Béatrice S. after the final photo was taken and will remain a memento of this wonderful day.
Let us conclude this report with these delicate words from SATAKE Mariko, Hanshi 9th dan: “I treasure the phrase ‘Shooting is the shadow of our minds’. How we spend our daily lives is clearly reflected in our shooting. If we live with grace and dignity, it shows. The word SHIN-ZEN-BI means remaining true to oneself. Through training, Kyūdō evokes the inner nature you were born with.”