An exhalation before raising your arms, readying yourself for the draw. A brief moment of silence as the bowstring is pulled back. Then, the twang of release, the sound of an arrow whooshing through the air, followed by a thunk as it hits the target. Such is the graceful flow and nature of archery, which continues to be a popular sport and meditative practice that has withstood the test of time.

Do you prefer the slow and purposeful movements of Japanese archery or the fast-paced and explosive nature of Western archery? Have a look at the illustrations below and spot the differences and similarities between the two!

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