Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Dane on April 18, 2007, 08:38:03 pm
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Hi, everyone. Okay, I've been around long enough to maybe pester all of you with a few observations about what really inspires me to go create something, including...well, bows and arrows :) Maybe this won't be too strange a thread or topic - I've been a bit our of sorts lately because of the hours at work have been non-stop (or seemingly so), and since I write for a living, and deadlines don't care if you are not feeling creative, it is draining!
1. Shaker stuff, and other beautiful examples of craftsmenship. I am very lucky, in that I live within driving distance of Hancock Shaker Villiage, near Pittsfield, MA. Walking the grounds, and seeing the buildings, the household goods, the dry stonework and the colors in the various buildings, the cool plasterwork and the cast iron stoves, all of it is just breathtaking. I have a book here called The Shakers: Hands To Work Hearts to God, by Amy Stechler Burns and Ken Burns. (Yes, that Ken Burns). Glancing through the book was and is incredibly inspiring. Go to the library and check it out. What they did with their hands and simple hand tools is very much in the spirit of primitive archery.
2. JS Bach.
3. Zen Buddism
4. My pug Davenport.
5. But mostly, I want to point you to one of the strangest and most inspiring books I have ever read, The Aesthetics of the Japanese Lunchbox, by Kenji Ekuan, MIT Press. I found it in a used bookstore, formally a mill, and the construction of that structure alone is awesome to look at and investigate. If you get a chance to read this book, you may want to kill me, or may feel kind of how I do. I'm not even sure how to explain what this book is about, except that he argues this "lunchbox theory" for all kinds of designs and objects created by man, the lunchbox being a small lacquered compartmentalized wooden box, about a foot square and divided into four equal compartments, black in color. Some of the chapters are titled "Techology of Order: the Buddhist Home Alter and the Department Store," "Techology to Cope With Environment: Nature and Seasons in an Air-Conditioned Culture," and "The Ultimate Spirit of Service - Heart of the Merchant."
Here are Ekuan's 10 axioms of lunchbox structure, and I do view this, in many ways, as being applicable to bow design and bow making.
1. Beauty of Form - drive to make stylishness and beauty a primary function
2. Functional Multiplicity - belief in "the more functions the better"
3. Equipment Exciting Creativity - popular appeal yielding the broadest possible application of an object and its creative uses
4. Prototype - an exacting model promoting sound fabrication and generating ideas of use
5. Unification in Diversity - a sense of order ensuring maximal inclusion and effective arrangement
6. All-Inclusive Enhancement - pluarality in each element vividely brought to life
7. Profusion of Enjoyment - development capacity from which new types of enjoyment emerge
8. Ultimate Adapability - meeting needs in terms of time, quality, and quantity
9. Waste-avoiding Culture - a sense of design consistent with enviornmentally sensative lifestyle
10. Generosity - richness born from an ultmate spirit of service
Okay, back to bow building. Thanks everyone for indulging me. And feel free to call me crazy :)
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Very nice. Thanks for sharing. Shaker furniture and Bach are high on my list too. Pitsfield, MA ha. Are you going to Stockbridge. Jawge
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...OK.............yur crazy ! like a fox ! ;) ;).......bob
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huh? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ::)
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I gotcha. I think that means Im crazy too.
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Not crazy Dane, just a free individual thats not afraid to walk his own path and not be a
sheep blindly following the herd like most folks do. Self expression is one reason this country was
founded. Thanks for sharing.
DanaM
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Deep,real deep. :-\
Pappy
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I can and do on occasion enjoy classical music. I like lots of the old styles of furniture inclucing Shaker. To be honest, I doubt the book would have ever caught my eye in the first place in order to purchase it. But I'm sure it would tend to make one think outside the box! :)
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Kinda gotcha, except I'm more inspired by Waylon, Molly Hatchet, and Pantera than Bach, and I've had more formative cultural exposure to snake-handling pentecostals than Zen Buddists lol. I did study the aesthetic principles of bonsai and Japanese garden design at one point, much the same as your lunchbox axioms. And if you're gonna be inspired by a dog, your pug Davenport is much less disturbing than being inspired by coversations with the neighbor's dog named Sam ;D
Hill-what is the sound of one bow limb snapping -Billy
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Hillbilly, you're always good for a good laugh! ;D
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Hey guys, sorry if all that was a bit obtuse and rambling. That is what you get when you work way too long, maybe? I haven't really touched any wood in months, but maybe things will slow down a bit.
As for the Southern bow sock, that will happen really soon, Greg, so dont worry about that. :)
Dane
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Thanks for the inspiration Dane. I totally feel you on this.
'Beauty of Form' really rings true to me. In Archery, what is the most beautiful is very often the most functional. For example: massive-tipped, rustic viking bows as compared to the extremely refined Mary Rose bows. My wife candidly critiques ugly bows--so I have built-in accountability to keep my work up to par aesthetically. Functionality naturally follows.
By the way Dane, if you haven't read The Witchery of Archery, you need to drop what you're doing and read it right now. Now Dane.
J. D. Duff
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Thanks much, JD.
Can I at least pick it up before I read it? I promise to very soon, however.
Dane
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No, just read it. Ha, ha. 3riversarchery.com has is for about 7 bucks. Take care.
J. D. Duff
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It is a good book-my favorite chapter was "A Treatise on Shooting Woodpeckers" ;D
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Speaking as one who is not far removed from a caveman I can relate to the creative outlets provided here. Just as Hillbilly I studied and practiced bonsai for some time. When I speak of my philosophy surrounding my bonsai trees others look at me as if I am nuts although they provide me with a simplistic approach to life that allows for all the pitfalls and hurdles as well as successes we experience. Primitive archery is not similar for me but goes very well hand in hand. Some of my obsessive inspiration has begun to settle now but not in a bitter or bored or worn out was as much as leaving me with a feeling of some accomplishment and satisfaction and will always likley hold a warm place in my heart. I think any form of art or creativity is a very healthy and rewarding thing to include in our lives. Steve
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Hillbilly, I love that chapter! These days you wouldn't think of woodpeckers as being perfect target practice though. ;D ;D
That book made me want to shoot a blue heron so bad. He just made it sound like the highest of all archery persuits.
J. D. Duff
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Refreshing post. I would say, however, that for me it is enough to know within myself why I want to create a bow or anything else. Making a wooden bow is essentially an irrational pursuit on our part as residents of the twenty-first century. Materially speaking, there are simply more efficient means to an end. Of course, it is revitalizing to our modern psyches to engage in this ancient craft, and this could possibly be argued as a rational approach to our chosen art. Although, in the end there is a secret a bow whispers into our ear when we release an arrow - something not born of design or purpose, it is something from time unknown, possibly eternal. I suppose that is what inspires me. It is a mystery. (or whatever)
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Them Thompson boys were conservationists for sure. They only shot the Ivory Bills :o because they were so plentiful and left the Pileated wood peckers alone because they were scarce. Pat
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That is one of my favorite books.Most of it takes place along the St.Johns river where I bow hunt every year.I've pulled up survey maps off the 'puter for that area from 1849.They are really cool ,a lot of the places are on the maps that are mentioned in the book.And then some say not surveyed,uninhabitable.
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Everyone is searching for what will make them happy. Most look in the wrong places. Most try too hard. The simple things are the most important. A simple bow can teach a lot about life. The process of making it requires patience. Learning to shoot requires discipline. When it breaks you learn not to give up. And one of the most satisfying things in life is to tune out the whole world and leave all your problems behind, pick up your bow and get in that zone. Its just you and your bow . That feeling that time stands still and you can watch your arrow fly perfectly to where you knew it was going before you released. That is satisfaction .not taking the shortcut. Slow down . Thats what I think this world needs to do. What is the rush? You don't see or learn half as much when you rush through life. Most on this site seem to get it . I'm happy to be here
Jesse
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Nuttier then a fruit cake! - - - but you write with some intelligence (LOL) ramble all you want Dane.
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Mamba, thanks. But, be careful, as getting me started can open up a floodgate of peculiar ideas.
This site feels like a kind of home, with like minded kin, strangers and yet also family, or perhaps a tribe might be a better word?
JD, I promise to read it soon.
Dane
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Let me know what you think Dane.
Eddie,
I'm coming to hunt with you.
J. D. Duff
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any time J.D. Bring some bug repellant.
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Dane, I wasn't at all worried about the bow sock...take your time. We always can fall back on that "tater sack" if we need to! ;D I'd like to sit around a camp fire some evening and hear some of those "peculiar idea's" of yours... ;)
Good post, brought out some good comments from folks!
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I started to write some mushy crap the other day and figured some goober would make fun of me. LOL Now I find much of that sentiment already written by others. Good thread.
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I enjoy threads like this, one of the nice things about growing up is that we don't have to hide behind any tough exteriors anymore and feel a lot more at ease expressing ourselves. Going to tell my bonsai story. When I was around 12 years old (46 years ago) a japanese contractor had come to my parents home to give them an extimate on building a new home in the back of our lot. He noticed my little trees on my work bench and came over to admire them asking me where I learned to do bonsai. I thanked him for the compliment as he was the first and only one to ever notice them and asked him what exactly bonsai meant. he gave me an explanation of bonsai and told me that my form for growing and training trees was true bonsai. As a 12 year old I was excited to find out I was actually doing something that had a name. He asked me what I thought about when I made these little trees, the best I could tell him was that I thought they looked pretty like that. He asked me to think about that question a little more and give him a call when I had a better answer, he and his wife owned a bonsai nursery a mile or so from my house. He informed me that there was more to it than pretty and he could see that. I will always believe that conversation was new milestone in my life.
29 years later I got back to him with an answer, right after my divorce. Funny, don't know if he just said this or not but he said " I knew you would get back to me on that question eventually". When he came to give us the estimate it was plain to him that we were poor, and lived in crowded and chaotic enviroment. Very little structure to the home or family and every inch of the property was basicaly a junk yard with the exception of my bonsai garden. My style of trees were stout trunks, stout branches, lots of light comming through trees so that all the leaves would get their equal share, excess and wispy weak growth was always quickly removed, battle scars and twisted growth were displayed proudly on them almost in some kind of defiance to the orderly straightly trimmed typical neiborhood landscapes. I realized I was simply imposing my philosophy of how I wanted my life on to my trees. They were tough, bold, independent, and beautiful for all their character. He proudly concratulated me and the grouchy old bastard gave me a badly needed hug. We are still friends today and he still works his nursery every day, I imagine he is pat 90 years old by now. Steve
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So, our bows are about how we want our lives to be. Deep man. LOL Good post Steve. But I think the old man's secret is the "you think about that some more" part and not so much what the answer finally turns out to be part. Whatever it takes to get the lil rat in your head to turn the wheel is the secret, I think.
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You're a deep man, Dane.
I find inspiration from many areas.
Anytime I'm working with wood...whether building furniture or bows.
I also enjoy writing. These days, I'm concentrating on writing songs and playing music. I'm not much into Bach, but I do enjoy music. I like to sleep to Pink Floyd. (Is that healthy?:D) I like writing and playing traditional country music.
I like passing little things on to our grandkids. We've got two and another on the way.
Working with horses humbles me.
The most peace I ever find is when I'm in nature. I don't like other people around when I'm in the woods. That's my time to be with myself. Anytime it's just me and the elements, I am at home.
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Badger, that is a great story. Thanks. I love bonsai, but after 3 tries, I realize it is totally wrong to do what I do to small growing things (which is murder them. I simply can't keep even cacti alive).
Doug, thanks. I struggle with the "am I shallow and all surface" or " deep" sometimes, and still really am not sure. If I can be so bold, few here may know that connection we share though our US Army service as infantrymen doing a very peculiar job that is long gone now. Well, not ancient times though :)
I used to be a musician, but there was no joy left in it, as that is where I was going professionaly. Now that I am simply messing around with my concertina and banjo, it is fun again.
As for nature, the desert is the finest place I can think of to be alone. Empty places really speak to me, and that includes abandoned old buildings and ghost towns. Strangly, old industrial sites facinate me. Why that is I can not say.
Dane
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Dane, I wasn't at all worried about the bow sock...take your time. We always can fall back on that "tater sack" if we need to! ;D I'd like to sit around a camp fire some evening and hear some of those "peculiar idea's" of yours... ;)
Good post, brought out some good comments from folks!
You can't do that, Greg - you told me you already used that tater sack :) The warp threads bundles are sitting literally 3 feet from my loom.
I'd love to share the campfire with you. It isn't happening this Classic, but my wife and I may try to make the next one, money and time allowing. As for those ideas, not one has to do with UFOs. :)
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Today my wife decided ti inspire me, yup inspired me to rake the yard and fix the brakes on her car. ;D
I figured a little levity would couldn't hurt.
Actually I'm at a crossroads, my kids are moving on, my son leaves for the Coast Gaurd in 2 weeks, daughter is graduating high school. I have 5 years till I can retire from my present job. 5 year prison sentence is what it feels like, I'm really starting to hate my job and it becomes more difficult everyday to get up and go to work. I used to read all the time now I can't find anything that really holds my interest for long, maybe I need to borrow yer japenese lunch box book Dane :) I started building bows because the simplicity appeals to me, and as I age I find thats what I really want is "A Simple Life" A small house in the woods, a workshop and most importantly time, time to do what I want when I want. All the things that seemed so important to me before just don't mean much anymore. As to what inspires me? I just don't know right now :-\ Hope it comes to me soon though.
DanaM
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any time J.D. Bring some bug repellant.
Ha, ha. I'm there!
J. D.
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Love this thread Dane, and don't forget, we can share a campfire at the NewEngland Primitive Skills Gathering. Wich according to Algonquin's web site is June 9th and 10th. Jamie can correct me if i'm wrong.
I find this site inspiring. As well as many different books on too many subjects to list. As there are too many musical styles I enjoy. I've played rock, blues, jazz, bluegrass, and country; but listen to all that and classical too. I too lost my joy for music when it became a "job" and I don't play anymore.
If ya haven't picked it up yet and ya come to the gathering I'll loan ya my copy of "The Witchery of Archery."
Thanks for an interesting thread.
-Dave
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Love this thread Dane, and don't forget, we can share a campfire at the NewEngland Primitive Skills Gathering. Wich according to Algonquin's web site is June 9th and 10th. Jamie can correct me if i'm wrong.
I find this site inspiring. As well as many different books on too many subjects to list. As there are too many musical styles I enjoy. I've played rock, blues, jazz, bluegrass, and country; but listen to all that and classical too. I too lost my joy for music when it became a "job" and I don't play anymore.
If ya haven't picked it up yet and ya come to the gathering I'll loan ya my copy of "The Witchery of Archery."
Thanks for an interesting thread.
-Dave
I will be at the meet, Dave, have it on my calender. That should be a really fun event. Thanks for the comments, and thanks about the book offer.
Dane
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Today my wife decided ti inspire me, yup inspired me to rake the yard and fix the brakes on her car. ;D
I figured a little levity would couldn't hurt.
Actually I'm at a crossroads, my kids are moving on, my son leaves for the Coast Gaurd in 2 weeks, daughter is graduating high school. I have 5 years till I can retire from my present job. 5 year prison sentence is what it feels like, I'm really starting to hate my job and it becomes more difficult everyday to get up and go to work. I used to read all the time now I can't find anything that really holds my interest for long, maybe I need to borrow yer japenese lunch box book Dane :) I started building bows because the simplicity appeals to me, and as I age I find thats what I really want is "A Simple Life" A small house in the woods, a workshop and most importantly time, time to do what I want when I want. All the things that seemed so important to me before just don't mean much anymore. As to what inspires me? I just don't know right now :-\ Hope it comes to me soon though.
DanaM
Dana, mine inspired me to shampoo some rugs over the weekend. And I got stuck going to work today, I do know what you mean about jobs being so tedious. The nasty clients are the most challenging part of me anymore.
Congrats on your son becoming a "coastie."
My thought is that time goes so fast, five years will fly by, even if you don't feel like it will. A small house in the woods, a great workshop, and some time to do what you love sounds like an ideal life to me, too.
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Hey Dana, congratulate your son for me. There is a silent(silenced maybe?) majority that appreciate, respect, and honor his service and sacrifice. Even if it's in what some bue-water types call, "the knee-deep navy." ;) All kidding aside, good for him. Where is he headed? If he finds himself here in CT. (New London is home to the Acadamy) let me know, I myself and a few other old deck apes would be honored to by him lunch and a cup of coffee.
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Brokenock, he will be doing boot at Cape May New Jersey and thank you for the kind words and the nice offer.
The Coast gaurd is an honorable profession they are under respected in my book. He's not real anxious to leave home
but there is no work here, I've told him no matter where he goes that there are good people to be found that enjoy
doing the same things he does. He's a easy going kid that has a very friendly personality. He like to hunt, fish and mud trucks
I think thats spelled redneck ;D Once he has a permanent duty station I will try to connect him with some of the fine folk on this forum.
It sure is gonna be hard on me and momma at first as our first born leaves the nest :'(
DanaM
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Im impressed with the depth of you guys. Learned a little more recently,my 29 yr old brother died about a month ago. His path was opposite of mine,a little too complicated,not outdoors and simplified. However, he and I did share a warped sense of humor.In his last note to me he wrote,From here to there funny things are everywhere. (Dr. Seuss) So laugh while you can,try to see the tree not the forest,and appreciate what youve got.
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I like that Auggie.
Makes much sense.
DanaM