If you have shopped for kyudo arrows, you will have noticed that a Japanese archery shop rarely sells them one at a time. Arrows come in pairs, and the first decision is not which shaft or which feathers but how many to buy.
This page explains where the numbers come from and how to decide on your first set. How shafts, feathers and arrow length affect the choice of arrow itself is covered in Choosing Kyudo Arrows.
The short version
- A hitote (一手) is 2 arrows: one haya and one otoya.
- A yotsuya (四つ矢) is 4 arrows, i.e. two hitote.
- A set of six is a yotsuya plus a spare pair.
- For most people starting out, four arrows is the natural starting point. Buy fewer if your arrow length may still change; buy more if you shoot a lot.
- Arrow length comes before number. An arrow that is too short for you cannot be used at the target at all.
Why arrows come in pairs
In kyudo you shoot arrows in pairs. The first arrow of the pair is the haya (甲矢) and the second is the otoya (乙矢). Their feathers are set to curve in opposite directions, so the two arrows are a matched pair rather than two identical arrows.
That is why kyudo arrows are counted in even numbers. Asking a shop for “three arrows” is not how arrows are normally bought.
| Name | Arrows | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Hitote (一手) | 2 | One haya and one otoya |
| Yotsuya (四つ矢) | 4 | Two hitote |
| Set of six | 6 | A yotsuya plus one spare hitote |
How many you need depends on where you shoot
The number is set by the situations you shoot in, not by the equipment.
- Grading (shinsa). In the practical part of a grading, each candidate usually shoots one hitote: two arrows. The All Nippon Kyudo Federation’s grading rules (Appendix 2, “How to shoot in a grading“) set out the order for a five-person group with a first arrow (haya) and a second arrow (otoya) for each archer. Details can differ by event, so check the current guidelines for the grading you take.
- Competitions. Four arrows are used in some competitions; others use two. The number per round is set in each event’s rules, so check the guidelines from your dojo or federation. The Federation’s beginners’ page describes a set as four arrows, and says two spare arrows are needed for competitions (ANKF, “道具について”, checked 23 October 2026).
- Ordinary practice. In many clubs and dojo, practice runs in rounds of four: shoot four, then walk down to collect them.
- Makiwara practice uses a separate arrow, the makiwara-ya. Most makiwara arrows have no feathers, and the Federation says arrows without feathers — including makiwara arrows and arrows that have lost even one feather — must never be shot at the target (matomae). Keep the two kinds separate.
So in practice: four arrows keep ordinary practice moving; two is often not enough.
Deciding on your first set
Why four is usually the starting point
- It matches the practice round. Shoot four, collect, repeat.
- If one arrow is damaged, you still have a working pair. With only two, one damaged arrow breaks the pair.
- It covers competitions that use four arrows (check the rules for your event).
When to start with two
- Your arrow length is not settled yet. As your draw develops, the right arrow length can change. Someone still developing who buys six at once may end up with six arrows that no longer fit.
- You expect to move to a stronger bow soon. Arrow weight is chosen to suit the bow’s draw weight, so changing bows can mean your arrows no longer match. Japanese shops usually give arrow weight in grams.
When six makes sense
- You shoot a lot and wear out feathers quickly. You start with a spare pair in hand.
- You want every arrow to match. Buying more later is not guaranteed to get you the same shaft and feathers. Feathers are a natural material, and even the same type will not always look the same.
The real problem is buying more later
Arrows are consumables: feathers fray, shafts bend, nocks crack. When that happens, adding to your set is harder than it sounds.
- The same shaft in the same size may not be in stock when you need it.
- Feathers vary from one batch to the next, in colour and in markings.
- Buy a single pair later and your four arrows may not look like a set.
If matching appearance matters to you, buy a larger set at the start. If your body and draw are still changing, buy fewer and replace them later. Neither is “correct” — you are choosing which kind of waste you would rather accept.
If you buy from Japan while living abroad, allow for delivery time. Running down to a single damaged pair while a parcel is on its way can stop your practice.
Before the number: arrow length
Whatever the number, the arrows have to be the right length for you.
Your draw length is called yazuka (矢束). The common way to measure it: stretch both arms out to the sides at shoulder height, and measure from the centre of your throat to the tip of your left middle finger.
The arrow is then made longer than your yazuka. The All Nippon Kyudo Federation says arrows should be at least 5 cm longer than your yazuka, and that for beginners whose form is not yet settled, about 10 cm longer is appropriate. The All Japan Kyudo Equipment Association suggests adding 10–15 cm to the measured length. (ANKF, “道具について”; All Japan Kyudo Equipment Association, “弓道具の選び方”; both checked 7 October 2026.)
An arrow shorter than your yazuka is dangerous: at full draw the tip can be pulled inside the bow. The Federation prohibits arrows shorter than your yazuka, or exactly as long as it, at the target.
If you are given second-hand arrows, or borrow them from a club, check that they suit your yazuka before you shoot them. When in doubt, ask your instructor, or have a kyudo equipment shop (kyugu-ten) look at them in person.
FAQ
Can I buy just two arrows? Yes — a hitote is a standard unit. But since practice often runs in rounds of four, two may leave you short partway through a session.
Can I buy four arrows one pair at a time? You can, but there is no guarantee the same shaft and feathers will still be available. If you want them to match, order them together.
My club told me to buy six. Isn’t four enough? Follow your club. Clubs with heavy practice schedules sometimes ask for six, including a spare pair. Ask your coach or instructor if you are unsure.
Do makiwara arrows count in this number? No. The makiwara-ya is a separate arrow and is bought separately.
Related pages
This page sets out general guidance on how many kyudo arrows to buy. Rules for grading and competitions are set by the All Nippon Kyudo Federation and by each event’s guidelines; your dojo and instructor have the final word. For fitting and choosing arrows, consult your instructor or a kyudo equipment shop.