sensei
design by Jan
© 2000-2006
Co-founder Georgia Kyudo Kai, 1984
1985 - Began First University level Kyudo instruction in America at Georgia State University Recreation Department. "Discovered" arrow stopping net currently used at all American Kyudo Renmei seminars.
1986 - Invented technique for producing cardboard makiwara. Began Adult, continuing education classes at GSU.
1987 - Weekend workshop with Chris Cyders.
1988 - Weekend workshop with Ken Kushner
1988 - Attended Zen Nippon Kyudo Renmei 2 day demonstrations in Washington, DC. Instruction from Onuma Sensei and Takahashi Sensei
1988 - Began fletching arrows in the Japanese style
1989 - Received instruction from Takahashi Sensei in Kumamoto and Matsuoka Sensei in Kikuchi through generosity of Bill and Sayoko Holt, Kumamoto, Japan. Onuma Sensei in Tokyo, Japan.
March 1989 - Passed Sho Dan, Tokyo, Japan
October 1989 - Attended 40th Anniversary Celebration, Zen Nippon Kyudo Renmei, Tokyo, Japan. Met Dr. Ryoji Yokoyama, Kyoshi, Seventh Dan, President of Hitachi Chemical Co.
1990 - Began teaching Kyudo through Emory University Department of Lifelong Learning.
1990 and 1991 - 2 weekend workshops with Dr. Ryoji Yokoyama, Kyoshi in Atlanta, Georgia.
1991 and 1992 - 2 weekend workshops with Dr. Shunichiro Oe, Kyoshi in Atlanta. 1 weekend workshop with Dr. Shunichiro Oe, Kyoshi in Indiana.
March 1992 - First International Kyudo Seminar, Miyakonojo, Japan. Passed Ni Dan.
July 1993 - First Kyudo USA Seminar, San Jose, California, As president of GKR, coordinated Georgia Kyudo Renmei responsibility for Kyudojo set up and Management
September 1994 - Second Kyudo USA Seminar, Atlanta, Georgia. Co-host, Passed San Dan
1995 - 1998 - 4 weekend workshops with Takako Swain, in Indiana
July 1996 - Third Kyudo USA Seminar, San Jose, California
July 1997 - Fourth Kyudo USA Seminar, Atlanta, Georgia. Co-host, Passed Yon Dan. Created circular, portable, self supporting bow racks for seminar participants.
July 1998 - Fifth Kyudo USA Seminar, San Jose, California. Passed Go Dan
1997 - 1999 - 4 weekend workshops with Dan DeProspero, Renshi Sixth Dan in Atlanta
March 1999 - Third International Kyudo Seminar, Miyakonojo, Japan (Not eligible to test). Practiced with Sekaguchi Sensei at Omuta Kyudojo - special thanks to Bill and Sayoko Holt, Kumamoto, Japan.
May 1999 - Attended 50th Anniversary Celebration of Zen Nippon Kyudo Renmei, Kyoto, Japan
July 1999 - Sixth Kyudo USA Seminar, Spartanburg, South Carolina (Not eligible to test)
June 2000 - Seventh Kyudo USA Seminar, Indianapolis, Indiana. Performed Opening Ceremonial Shooting with three Master archers. Passed Renshi.
July 2001 - Eighth Kyudo USA Seminar, San Jose, California (Not eligible to test)
July 2002 - Ninth Kyudo USA Seminar, Spartanburg, SC. (Not eligible to test)
August 2002 - Performed closing ceremony shooting for Dedication of Meishin Kyudojo, Apex, NC
March 2003 - Fourth International Kyudo Seminar, Miyakonojo, Japan Took Rokudan test for first time. Practiced at Omuta Kyudojo with Sekaguchi Sensei, special thanks to Bill and Sayoko Holt, Kumamoto, Japan.
July 2003 - Kyudo USA Seminar, Spartanburg, SC - Kyudojo manager, Performed Dai Ni Kaizoe for First Day's Opening Ceremonial Shooting. (Not eligible to test)
Founding Member Organization 1998
Founding Secretary, 1998 to present
Co-founder, first President, Instructor, Georgia Kyudo Kai, 1984
Co-founder, first President, Instructor, Georgia Kyudo Renmei, 1988
President, Instructor, Georgia Kyudo Renmei, 1988 - 1994
Advisor, Instructor, Georgia Kyudo Renmei, 1995
Chairman, Instructor, Georgia Kyudo Renmei, 1996 -1999
President, Chief Instructor, Georgia Kyudo Renmei, 1999 - 2000
Chairman, Chief Instructor Georgia Kyudo Renmei, 2000 to present
Founder, 2001
President and Chief Instructor
In 2002, Marcus Bossett supervised the transformation of the Bi Toku single person shooting area into a three person, 28 meter shajo. In 2003, Louis Riffe and members of Bi Toku Kyudo - Daniel Kim, Paul DeRosa, Michael Sarol, Don Naumann, Vincent Brown, and Etsuko Nozawa, built a covered 3 person Kyudojo (Kyudo practice area). The 520 square feet of decking allows full Tai Hai practice. Shooting area, arrow retrieval path (Yatori michi) and target area (Azuchi) are all lighted for night practice.
Advisor, Chief instructor, 2003 to present
Annual Demonstration of Kyudo at Japan Fest sponsored by the Consulate General of Japan since beginning. TV presentation of Kyudo to promote Japan Fest.
Over 20 demonstrations of Kyudo at Cherry Blossom Festivals in Atlanta, GA; Macon, GA; Conyers, GA; Covington, GA; and Montgomery, Alabama.
One hour TV program on Kyudo for Japan Distant Learning TV channel from Montgomery, Alabama.
Chief Instructor, Introduction to Kyudo classes Georgia State University 1984 through 1989 then Emory University Life Long Education Department, 1990 to present.
Kyudo demonstrations at the Atlanta High Museum of Art, schools and corporate locations since 1988
Symmes Sensei performing the closing ceremonial shooting at the opening of the Meishin Kyudojo.
Symmes sensei has attended all of the American National Kyudo seminars.
Symmes Sensei has taken Kyudo groups to Japan three times. Kumamoto Castle is just one of the incredible sights that his students have seen.
Bi Toku Kyudojo builders:
Back Row, Daniel Kim, Michael Sarol, Don Naumann
Front Row, Ed Symmes, Louis Riffe, Marcus Bossett, Paul DeRosa, Etsuko Nozawa and others not pictured here.
Symmes Sensei was honored to be the Dai Ni Kaizoe for the opening ceremonial performance at the 2003 U.S. National Kyudo Seminar in Spartanburg, SC, hosted by the SC Kyudo Renmei.