#91 Jaap Koppedrayer on Project Quiver
Available on these platforms: Spotify | Anchor | Apple | PocketCasts
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Available on these platforms: Spotify | Anchor | Apple | PocketCasts
Jaap Koppedrayer is a legendary bowyer with more than three decades of experience. A native of the Netherlands, he lives in Georgia in the United States and grows bamboo for bowmaking on his farm. There he also hosts international archery gatherings and is renowned for his expertise in the yumi bows of Japan.
“You don’t get rich by making bows, but you get rich by so many friends you make.”
Please enjoy this episode of Project Quiver on Salish Wolf with Jaap Koppedrayer.
Episode Links:
https://www.facebook.com/jaap.koppedrayer
Project Quiver at Anchor Point Expeditions
Summary
In this episode, Jaap shares his extensive knowledge of traditional Japanese archery, bow making, and bamboo cultivation, highlighting the cultural and technical aspects of these ancient arts. Discover the secrets behind the craftsmanship, the history of bows, and the philosophy that guides this timeless practice.
Show Notes:
History and tradition of Japanese archery
The process of making Yumi bows and arrows
Cultivation and selection of bamboo for bows and arrows
Techniques for flight shooting and long-distance archery
The cultural significance of archery in Japan and China
The mental and philosophical lessons from archery practice
The impact of historical events on archery traditions
The tools and tools used in bow making
Chapters:
00:00 - How Stefan Tim connects them
01:09 - Why Jaap moved to Georgia to grow bamboo for bows
04:19 - Hosting Japanese and Chinese archery programs
04:47 - Building a 120-meter Japanese archery corridor
07:58 - Choosing bow making over greenhouse work
08:27 - First trip to Japan and meeting Kanjuro Shibata
10:58 - The difference between Madake and Yadake bamboo
12:37 - Why bamboo must age and cure for years
13:46 - Bamboo farming challenges in Georgia’s climate
16:25 - Why Madake is ideal for Japanese bow backs
17:35 - Making many bow styles before focusing on Kyoto archery
18:13 - Early international horseback archery festivals
19:10 - Chinese archery revival and making bows for China
22:21 - Why horn bows take 3 to 5 years to finish
23:26 - Flight shooting and training for precision
26:34 - The challenge of lighter Yumi and very heavy bows
27:19 - Feathers, sinew, and old-school materials sourcing
28:41 - Going full-time in bow making in 1987
31:26 - Early Mongolian-style and horse bow work
32:13 - Learning from Shibata by watching, not being lectured
34:36 - Learning Japanese lacquer, Uru-shi
35:54 - Ongoing relationship with the Shibata dojo and Kudo
36:23 - The release technique used for flight shooting
38:21 - Teaching bamboo arrow making through workshops
40:49 - What a Yumi bow is made of
42:10 - Rope, wedges, glue, and setting the bow’s curve
45:15 - Possible ancient roots and shared global techniques
46:27 - Thoughts on the Silk Route and the spread of techniques
47:36 - Reading Zen and the Art of Archery
48:07 - Visiting dojos in Japan by bicycle with Yumi bows
49:12 - A modern book comparison: The Archer by Paulo Coelho
50:27 - Archery as a major part of Jaap’s life, not just bow making
51:48 - Japan, Turkey, China, and Korea rediscovering tradition
52:17 - The Fort Dodge festival and international exchange
54:39 - Lessons from bow making: humility, patience, and listening
57:27 - Workshop tools: planers, belt sanders, rasps, and knives
59:31 - No formal farm name, just “the bamboo farm”
60:03 - The kind of students who come to train
60:33 - Turkish archery and flight shooting workshops
61:31 - The rural Georgia community that supports the program
62:19 - What archery teaches about not taking life too seriously
63:26 - Improvising with what you have and sharing knowledge at shoots
64:41 - A funny flight shooting story involving arrows that came back
66:52 - Looking at the bows in Jaap’s workshop
67:29 - Kay’s writing work and the kitchen table shop
68:53 - A life built around craft, people, and purpose
69:19 - Future idea: focused conversations on specific bow types
70:09 - Lucas Novotny and the old Turkish bow story
72:21 - How to reach Jaap by email or phoneNotable quotesAction items