弓きゅう

noun

bow (and arrow)

Refers to the bow as a weapon or tool for shooting arrows. In modern contexts, often associated with kyūdō (Japanese archery).

• 彼かれは弓きゅう術じゅつを学まなんでいる。

  He is studying archery.

• 弓きゅう道どうでは、弓ゆみと矢やを使つかって的まとに当あてる。

  In kyūdō, you use a bow and arrow to hit the target.

noun

archery distance unit (approx. six feet)

Traditional unit of distance used in archery, roughly equal to the length of a bow, about 1.8 meters. Rare outside historical or specialized contexts.

• 的まとまでの距きょ離りは十じゅう五ご弓きゅうと決きめられていた。

  The distance to the target was set at fifteen kyū.

noun

land surveying distance unit (approx. eight feet)

Traditional unit of distance used in land surveying, about 2.4 meters. Rare and mostly historical.

• 昔むかしの測そく量りょうでは、一いっ弓きゅうは約やく二に・四よんメートルとされた。

  In old surveying, one kyū was about 2.4 meters.