Martial Arts: Kyujutsu

4 points

Kyujutsu is the Japanese art of the bow, or yumi (typically the dai-kyu, or composite bow). It's primarily a combat style. For sport and art variants, and non-Japanese styles, see Martial Arts: Archery.

Since arrows weren't terribly effective against armor, samurai learned to aim for the face, which was only rarely protected by a mask. Samurai also practiced shooting at a full gallop. They used inuomono, or dog-shooting, to hone their skills. This involved chasing dogs across open fields and shooting at them – often with arrows equipped to whistle and warn the dog. This taught warriors to shoot at fast-moving quick-dodging targets.

Legendary archers could hit targets at extreme range with great accuracy. They used their skills not only to kill but for "trick shots" – cutting standards from poles, knocking decorations off helmets, and so on – to intimidate the foe. Japanese bowmen employed several peculiar arrowheads specifically for the purpose (see Special Arrows).

Kyujutsu represents the minimum training a samurai needs to fight from horseback using a bow. Most receive additional mounted-combat instruction; see Martial Arts: Bajutsu. Later samurai and ashigaru (conscript infantry) might train to fight on foot; see Martial Arts: Foot Archery.

Skills: Bow; Fast-Draw (Arrow); Riding (Horse).
Techniques: Combat Riding; Hands-Free Riding; Horse Archery; Targeted Attack (Bow Shot/Face).
Cinematic Skills: Mental Strength; Pressure Points (Bow); Zen Archery.
Cinematic Techniques: Pressure-Point Strike.
Perks: Strongbow; Technique Adaptation (Targeted Attack).

Optional Traits
Secondary Characteristics: Improved Per.
Advantages: Acute Vision; Heroic Archer; Wealth; Weapon Master (Bow).
Disadvantages: Code of Honor (Bushido).
Skills: Animal Handling (Dog or Horse); Bow Art; Meditation; Savoir-Faire (Dojo).
Perks: Weapon Bond.