Manchester Kyudo group is a member group of the United Kingdom Kyudo Association which is affiliated to the All Nippon Kyudo Federation. Being also part of the European Kyudo Federation gives our practice a wider European context  and access to the summer seminars which take place annually. In recent years these have been held in Holland, France, Germany and the UK.

The Manchester group has been established 19 years—and is led by Malcolm Bagnall who holds the Renshi, 6th Dan grade, awarded by the all Nippon Kyudo federation through formal examinations .

The group is amateur and non-profit making, with nominal subscriptions to cover the hire of facilities and the running of the group.

Membership consists of 14 men and women  and the group frequently welcomes visitors from other groups in the UK and abroad. 

In addition to regular weekly practice members of the group take part in various demonstrations and exhibitions including Tatton Park, as part of their Japan season, and more recently the successful Japan Day in Manchester Town Hall.

Members also took part in the recent European competition, or Taikai, which was hosted by the Italians, in Milan.

The group hire facilities for practice at Castlebrook High school near Bury, North Manchester and are there each Saturday morning between 8:30am and 12am.

Beginners are taken through the various movements of the Hassetsu, first without a bow and then progress on to shooting at a makiwara, a straw bundle, and finally the Mato, the target proper.  The practice sessions usually include starting with formal shooting in groups followed by individual free practice.  There may be some focus on the formal movements of group shooting or we may practise some competition shooting.

The practice of Kyudo is a long term commitment.  Learning the various movements and technique of Kyudo is a challenging and satisfying period