After six months of negotiations, Empty Mind Films has now signed a deal with Random House Publishing for the movie rights to the classic book, Zen in the Art of Archery (by Eugen Herrigel). We are overjoyed at grabbing such a prize – one of the most popular texts on Japanese culture ever written. Yes, we are aware that for some serious Kyudo enthusiasts the author Herrigel, was incorrect in portraying Kyudo as the embodiment of zen. And, yes, we have studied both sides of this issue, including Yamada Shoji’s well written paper on this subject.
However, regardless of the controversy, Zen in the Art of Archery is an important book and its biggest achievement is that Kyudo surfaced to the forefront as a popular Japanese art around the world. I have owned a first edition (1953) english version of the book for many years and obtaining the movie rights last week, was for me, a personal point of pride. Now the real hard work begins. We hope to begin shooting on location in Japan this spring. I do not think it is up to Empty Mind Films to correct any of the assumptions or mistakes Herrigel made, but rather to fill in the gaps that Zen in the Art of Archery certainly does have. For example, no reference is made in the book to the other major religous faith in Japan, and that is Shintoism, which is a large component of Kyudo. Anyway more on this later, as we become more involved in what I am sure will be a major motion picture.
#1 by liamobrienuk on June 26, 2010 - 6:19 am
I just found your blog and I am delighted that you are making this movie about Herrigel’s book and kyudo. I am a kyudo practitioner (kyoshi 7 dan) and over my 35 years of practice (11 in Japan) I have found Herrigel’s book invaluable. The contraversy generated by the academic, Yamada, misses the point that Awa Sensei had “Zen” in his kyudo and advocated the natural release (shizen no hanare) and the expression of the natural body/mind (shizentai) this is central to modern kyudo and its ideal of the harmony of beauty (chowa). The Shinto connection is historical and related to kyujitsu. I have a copy of a lecture for the London Buddhist Society on Herrigel and Zen that you might find useful. If you send me an e-mail address, I will happily forward it to you. Very best Liam O’Brien (ukka@kyudo.org.uk )