When I was a child, there was a university near my home. Passing by, I could see university students drawing bows at the archery range, and I admired their dignified beauty. When I entered high school and chose a club, the first thing I went to observe was definitely the kyudo club. It is a traditional culture passed down in Japan for a long time, and I was rekindled by the sport's feature of drawing the bow in traditional Japanese clothing, which I rarely wore in daily life. When I first put on my gi and hakama, I was truly happy, and it felt like a childhood dream had come together. For me, kyudo kii is a special outfit that tightens both body and mind. Even now, wearing gi brings back the excitement of that day.

When I was preparing to enter university, I was invited by a high school alumnus and became interested in the J. F. Oberlin University archery club. After observing practice and watching senior archers on YouTube, I felt that practice was conducted under the tension befitting a strong school. It was clear that these four years would be tough, but I was convinced that being in a high-level environment would allow me to grow even further, so I decided to enroll at Obirin.

The most memorable moment of my four years at university was winning the All-Kanto Championship in my first year. I felt a surge of enthusiasm among the other club members, not just the competitors, after the victory, with everyone thinking, "I can do it too," and "Let's win again and again." Although I didn't have the opportunity to shoot a bow myself, watching the competitors from up close as a member of the team, I felt an indescribable intensity that warmed my heart. My teammates in the archery club are both my greatest allies and my greatest rivals. Everyone in the club is aware that you can't become a competitor unless you hit the target better than your teammates. I feel that each individual's high level of ambition stimulates one another, leading to our growth.

As captain, I must, of course, pursue archery technique and method more than anyone else, but even outside of practice, I value manners and try to do the basics of being a decent person with care. I am especially conscious of greetings and language. I strive to embody the respect for etiquette that I have cultivated through Kyudo, and to be a role model for my teammates.

I love kyudo and have been drawing it continuously until today. Although it is a team sport, honing skills requires dialogue with oneself. I believe the greatest appeal of kyudo is being able to fully face oneself. While focusing on getting closer to the basic kata, I carefully hit the arrow each time according to my body construction and the ever-changing state of mind and body. Understanding that there is no exact day in the same day, how steadily I can draw is what matters. Although I am still not fully satisfied with the shot, I practice hard to do my best each day.

J. F. Oberlin University Kyudo Club is home to outstanding athletes who can deliver results. I hope it will continue to be a club we can be proud of nationwide even after we graduate. What we can do now is improve our coaching policies and training methods to leave a higher-quality environment for our juniors, and aim for this year's goal of winning the championship match, creating an atmosphere where everyone gives their all. In the days leading up to retirement, I want to give everything I can.