Summary of Glass/Carbon Yumi - 2025 Edition
- Reichi LF
- 11 minutes ago
- 10 min read
This is an update of: https://www.rleefishtranslate.com/post/summary-of-glass-carbon-yumi
This update includes only Yumi currently generally available in Kyudo shops as at October 2025.
For historical information on out-of-production Yumi, please see the previous post at the link above. Other more obscure models may also be available in-stock but this post covers the most common and easy to find ones.
Prices are indicative only as at October 2025, and are subject to change. Prices may vary based on the size, kg, and any customisations applied.
General Recommendations for Purchasing Yumi
ref: https://kyudogu.jp/choose#choo01 https://suizanmiyabi.com/hazimete-no-kyudou/nigirikawa-no-makikata.html
When starting out and buying your first set of Kyudo gear, the Yumi should be the item you purchase last.
It is best to wait until your technique has settled and you have determined to some extent how strong you can comfortably draw over an extended period of time.
This will depend on how often you practice, as well as your own body type. It is a good idea to discuss with the person who is teaching you before you buy.
If you are already experienced and purchasing another Yumi, you should already have some basis for what Yumi you are looking to buy. Try or borrow a similar Yumi first if you are able to.
If you wish to upgrade your draw weight, try not to go up more than 2.5kg at a time. Remember that it may take some time to acclimatise to the new draw weight and have a plan for this. Keep your previous Yumi for a time and gradually ease into using the heavier Yumi, reverting back to the lower draw weight Yumi when you start to get tired. Also practice frequent Subiki with the heavier Yumi at home outside of training.
Length
The length of the Yumi you will use should be determined on your height and the draw length.
Yumi are measured in the traditional units of "shaku" (尺) and "sun" (寸). Ten sun make up one shaku, and one shaku is equal to approx. 30.3cm.
All measurements start from the "Standard Length" Namisun, which is 7 shaku 3 sun in length (221cm). The 2sun Nobi, or Nobisun is 7 shaku 5 sun in length; thus it is named "2-sun Over (Namisun)".
As a rough guide, the length of Yumi can be selected as per the following chart. If your height and Yadzuka (draw length) fall into different categories, please go by the Yadzuka. If you are on the borderline of two sizes, consider the longer size. When purchasing your first Yumi it is best practice to consult your instructor on which length to buy.
Please note that these are also only reccommended guidelines rather than strict rules, and experience practitioners may select a Yumi other than the reccommended size based on their preference. Some manufacturers may also make different reccommendations or have different specifications to the ones listed below.
Name(s) | Yumi Length in Shaku | Yumi Length in cm | For: height | For: Yadzuka |
Sansun-tsume, Sansun Tsumari 三寸詰 | 7 Shaku 七尺 | 212cm | < 155cm | < 80cm |
Namisun 並寸 | 7 Shaku 3 Sun 七尺三寸 | 221cm | 155-165cm | 80-85cm |
Nobisun/2sun Nobi/Nisun Nobi 伸寸 | 7 Shaku 5 Sun 七尺五寸 | 227cm | 165-180cm | 85-90cm |
Sansun/3sun Nobi* 三寸伸 | 7 Shaku 6 sun七尺六寸 | 230cm | 175-180cm | 90-94cm |
Yonsun/4sun Nobi 四寸伸 | 7 Shaku 7 Sun 七尺七寸 | 233cm | 180cm+ | 95-100cm |
Rokusun/6sun Nobi* 六寸伸 | 7 Shaku 9 Sun 七尺九寸 | 239cm | 195cm+ | 100cm+ |
*You will find these sizes not as common, and a custom order may be required. If you fall into one of these sizes, also consider a 4sun Nobi. Some Yumishi will refuse to make longer sizes due to quality control of the materials.
To find your Yadzuka, stand up straight and stretch out your left arm. Measure the length from the centre of your your body (throat) to the tip of your left middle finger. (nb. When purchasing your own arrows, you should then add approx. 10-15cm to this measurement).
Strength
Yumi are measured in kilograms. A Yumi is not "heavy" or "light," rather it is "strong" or "weak."
The draw weight of the Yumi represents the force exerted when drawn to its standard length. For Namisun, this is measured at 85cm, and for 2sun Nobi, this is measured at 90cm.
Thus the actual strength of the Yumi will depend upon your own draw length as well. eg. if you are using a 14kg Namisun but your draw length is 82cm, it may be more around 13.5kg for you.
Additionally, the draw weight is not exact unless given in decimal points. eg. if you are purchasing a 14kg Namisun, it is possibly between 14.0 and 14.9kg at 85cm.
When selecting a draw weight, it is more important to select a Yumi that you are able to effectively draw well and control, rather than merely one that you are physically capable of drawing.
It is vital not to select an unreasonably heavy draw weight. Instead, judge based on your current practice level and consult your instructor to choose a Yumi that you can draw effectively at your current stage. Remember that with good technique, even 8kg can hit the Mato consistently.
Materials
All Yumi are composite bows, and have an internal structure made from combinations of different woods.
Takeyumi (Yumi made of bamboo) are handmade from natural materials and accordingly each one is very unique. The strength of the Yumi will change with the seasons, and care must be taken to maintain the shape of the Yumi. Over time, the Yumi will take on characteristics of their user. Takeyumi are recommended for advanced users.
Synthetic Yumi use fibreglass or carbon layers in place of bamboo. They are relatively inexpensive, highly durable, and resistant to deformation and breakage. Fibreglass Yumi offer lower vibration and recoil, while Carbon Yumi have higher vibration and recoil but also faster arrow flight. Fibreglass Yumi are suitable for all levels, while Carbon Yumi are good for intermediate to advanced users.
Taiyo Kyugu, Sapporo
In general, Yumi from Taiyo have good performance, with a gentle draw and decent to fast arrow speed. In particular, the Aoi and the Rin are highly reccommended for women and individuals with smaller hands.
They have a wide range of Yumi at different price points and take custom colour/size orders. They are readily available in stock at many shops, and custom orders take approx. 4-5 months to receive.
Glass Yumi
Kaede (楓)
Namisun only, 6-13kg
Only available in black
Inexpensive Yumi aimed at beginners
Good as a club Yumi
¥27,500+
Tachibana (橘)
Namisun (8-16kg), 2sun (10-16kg)
Default colour is black (previously black/brown)
Upgraded model of the Kaede, inexpensive Yumi aimed at beginners
Good as a club Yumi
¥34,100+
Shou (翔)
Namisun (8-20kg), 2sun (11-20kg), 4sun 13-20kg), 3sun tsume (8-15kg)
Default colour is black/deep red
Aimed at beginner-intermediate
¥43,780+
Aoi (葵)
Namisun (8-20kg), 2sun (11-20kg), 4sun (13-20kg), 3sun tsume (8-15kg)
Default colour is metalic wine red or black
Taiyo's highest tier glass model, suitable for all abilities
Low recoil and very smooth release
Strong choice as a first Yumi, will last you well into your Kyudo career
¥50,600+
Carbon Yumi
Sui (粋)
Namisun (8-25kg), 2sun (11-25kg), 4sun (13-25kg, 3sun Tsume (8-15kg)
Default colours are piano black or metalic wine red, silver glitter/logo
Based upon the Aoi, is Taiyo's base model for carbon Yumi
Additional cost applies for Yumi above 21kg
A very smooth Yumi to draw
¥56,100+
Tokusaku Sui (特作 粋)
Custom order of the Sui
Namisun (8-25kg), 2sun (11-25kg), 4sun (13-25kg, 3sun Tsume (8-15kg)
Custom made to match the width of the Yumi to the size of your hand
Can be ordered in custom colour, single colour or two-colour gradient, choice of silver/gold/holographic glitter/logo
Additional cost applies for Yumi above 21kg
¥94,600+
Jin (仁)
Production has been on hiatus, may be able to custom order
Intended to sit in the middle of the range betwen Sui and Rin
Slightly fatter and heavier than the Rin, but strong and balanced
Default colour is metalic brown, can be ordered in custom colour (single colour or two-colour gradient)
¥89,100+
Rin (凛)
Also known as "Sui II"
Based on the Sui, Rin is designed to be a slimmer & lighter Yumi
Recoil is low but it stacks quickly on the draw
¥79,200+
Tokusaku Rin (特作 凛)
Custom order of the Rin
Can be ordered in custom colour, single colour or two-colour gradient, choice of silver/gold/holographic glitter/logo
¥101,200+
Zuisetsu (瑞雪)
Updated version of the previous model Eishu (英修)
Have included under carbon Yumi but actually Taiyo has not publicly stated what materials are used in the creation of this Yumi. The previous model was carbon/kevlar
Similar in feel to draw as the Aoi
Default colour is painted to resemble a bamboo Yumi
Can also be ordered in custom colour
Namisun (8-20kg), 2sun (11-20kg), 4sun (13-20kg, 3sun Tsume (8-15kg)
¥82,500+
Miyata Sogyou, Saitama
Junji Miyata is credited as being a pioneer of synthetic Yumi manufacturing. A practitioner of Heki-ryu Insai-ha, he is known for having competed at the World Archery Championships in the Netherlands in 1967 with an experimental fibreglass Yumi he made himself.
Miyata Yumi are hard to find in-stock and usually need to be order-made. There is a long lead time to order one, currently around a 2-year wait. All yumi types are available in Namisun and 2sun, but Miyata does not offer 4sun nobi. The default colour is black, but it may be possible to order imitation bamboo customisation for some models.
Glass Yumi
A
Standard model made of fibreglass "FRP" (Fiber Reinforced Plastics).
Has an easy draw and good performance
10kg to 20kg
¥44,000+
Carbon Yumi
CG III
This model uses fiberglass and carbon fiber FRP for the uchidake and sotodake.
It combines softness in the draw with sharp arrow momentum.
10kg to 20kg
¥66,000+
CG V
High-performance upgraded model from the CGIII, aimed at advanced practitioners
Offers increased arrow speed and stable arrow flight
10kg to 20kg
¥88,000+
AC
Uses carbon fiber FRP for both the sotodake and uchidake.
It achieves extremely sharp arrow momentum even with a weaker draw weight.
Favoured for use in Enteki due to arrow speed and stable flight
10kg to 16kg
¥110,000+
Koyama Kyuguten, Tokyo
Koyama Yumi are known for being quite accurate and forgiving of imperfections in form. The Jikishin II Carbon is an especially popular Yumi. They are one of the largest manufacturers and it is easy to find their Yumi in stock, or otherwise custom orders generally only take about a month to receive.
NB. Koyama do not ship overseas directly themselves, but their Yumi (including custom orders) can be ordered from most Kyudo Shops who do ship overseas. Alternatively if you are in Tokyo, their shop is very accesible and foreigner friendly.
Glass Yumi
Renshin (練心)
Good beginner or club Yumi
Aimed at beginners who are starting to progress from Makiwara practice to shooting at the Mato
Black only, no custom colours
¥37,400+
Jikishin I (直心Ⅰ)
One model up from the Renshin, aimed at beginner to intermediate
Materials and designs intended to reduce vibration and recoil and elicit stable arrow flight.
Formerly also available in a Carbon model, some stock is still available but this is no longer in production.
Default colour is black/red, custom colour order available (one or two colours)
¥40,700+
Jikishin II (直心Ⅱ)
Updated version of Jikishin I
Designed to elicit stable arrow flight, aimed at intermediate to advanced
Has a unique softness at Kai, but sharp release.
Also available in Carbon version
Default colour is black/red, custom colour order available (one or two colours)
¥51,700+
Jikishin III Bamboo (直心Ⅲバンブー)
Version of the Jikishin II design made with fibreglass and carbonised bamboo core
Intended to feel like the draw of the Takeyumi, while enabling arrow flight along the lines of the carbon Yumi, aimed at advanced level
Lower recoil than the Jikishin I or II because of the bamboo materials used
Default colour is black/woodgrain, custom colour order available (one or two colours)
¥56,100+
Carbon Yumi
Jikishin II Carbon (直心Ⅱカーボン)
Carbon version of the Jikishin II design, has greater elasticity and recoil
Offers fast Yugaeri with improved arrow flight and hit rate, aimed at advanced level
Arguably the most popular model of synthetic Yumi
Default colour is black/red, custom colour order available (one or two colours)
¥62,700+
Kokushin Arch-Carbon (鵠心 アーチカーボン)
Designed to have very fast arrow momentum and flight, more rounded in shape than most Carbon Yumi
Also much stiffer compared to most other Carbon Yumi
Requires strong application of skillful Tenouchi to achieve best results with this Yumi
Default colour is black, custom colour order available (single colour only)
¥99,000+
Tokusaku Kokushin Arch-Carbon (特作鵠心 アーチカーボン)
Custom order of the Kokushin Arch-Carbon which incorporates bamboo-like nodes along the length of the Yumi; designed to look like Takeyumi
Production may be temporarily on hiatus
¥141,900+
Ikai Kyuguten, Osaka
Ikai Kyuguten has recently introduced the house brand "Azusa", produced by an undisclosed manufacturer. These are specifically intended to be entry level models at an affordable cost, however despite the lower cost they are very good quality and highly reccommended for their value and performance at this price point.
There are some available in stock, otherwise it takes about 3-6 months to order. Ikai's website is Japanese only and wont let you enter a foreign address for shipping, but if you email them with what you want they can assist you with your order in English.
Glass Yumi
Azusa Glass (梓グラス)
Available Namisun (6-15kg), 2sun (9-20kg), 4sun (12-20kg)
Designed as an inexpensive fibreglass Yumi aimed at beginners
Has a soft draw and is made with a heavier construction in order to reduce vibration.
Colour is black/wood grain, no customisation options
¥33,000+
Carbon Yumi
Azusa Carbon (梓カーボン)
Available Namisun (9-15kg), 2sun (10-20kg), 4sun (12-20kg)
Hybrid model made with both fibreglass and carbon.
Designed to have the soft draw feeling of a fibreglass Yumi, but the powerful arrow momentum of Carbon. Same as the glass version, made with a heavier construction in order to reduce vibration.
Colour is black, no customisation options.
¥45,100+
Takahashi Kyugu, Kumamoto
The Higosozan range is known for their pitch as being as close to a Takeyumi in feel as possible for a carbon Yumi. They are also known for being finicky, as while they do have good performance with a strong Tenouchi, they are not forgiving to any imperfections in technique.
Generally needs to be ordered, takes between 4 months and 1 year to receive.
Glass Yumi
Higosozan Shin Glass (肥後蘇山 真 グラス)
Available Namisun (10-18kg), 2sun (12-18kg), 3sun (12-18kg)
Can be ordered in Black Metallic (default), Matte Black, Pearl Red, Pearl Grey
4-8 months
¥43,000+
Carbon Yumi
Higosozan Shin New Carbon (肥後蘇山 真 ニューカーボン)
Available Namisun (10-20kg), 2sun (12-20kg), 3sun (12-20kg)
Can be ordered in Black Metallic (default), Matte Black, Pearl Red, Pearl Grey
4-8 months
¥53,000+
Higosozan Kyuzen (肥後蘇山 弓禅)
Available Namisun (10-19kg), 2sun (12-20kg), 3sun (13-20kg)
Can be ordered in Black Metallic (default), Matte Black, Pearl Red, Pearl Grey, Shunkei Red, and "Sui Model" (Metallic deep brown).
6 months-1 year
¥68,000+
Higosozan Hi-Carbon (肥後蘇山 ハイカーボン)
Designed as a high draw-weight Yumi (over 18kg)
Available Namisun (18-30kg), 2sun (18-30kg), 3sun (18-30kg)
May also be possible to order up to 35kg
4-8 months
¥73,000+
Kusumi Kurakichi
These Yumi are modelled after those of Yumishi Kusumi Kurakichi, the founder of bowmaking in Miyakonojo. Their Yumi are designed to embody the properties of a takeyumi in a synthetic bow, using the same wood for the higo (core) as their takeyumi. They are newer models, having started production around 2020.
No customisation options currently available.
Glass Yumi
Kurakichi Glass
Available Namisun, 2sun, both 7-12kg
Has soft draw and easy to handle.
¥36,300+