My latest bow is a Japanese Yumi Bow which I have wanted to make for a long time. It has taken me 5 years to collect enough information to be confident that I could make a reasonable attempt.
Although the bow looks straightforward from an assembly point of view it is the inside of the core of the bow that takes time. The core is 7 vertical laminations each individually tapered. There are 4 laminations of bamboo, a central piece of maple and 2 outside pieces of maple. The sides are chamfered from the belly to the back making the belly wider than the back. Although maple is technically the wrong wood to use, it was the only wood I had that was long enough.
The tapered bamboo laminations are glued to the belly and back while on the bow form. Because there are 6 pieces of bamboo (4 central laminations and top and belly) they all have to be staggered so that none of the nodes line up.
The black additions on the ends are ebony and the wrapping is rattan.
The bow is 89" long and is 40 lb @ 35" and is based on a late 17th century bow. The arrows are 38" long.
The Japanese use a special heavy glove to shoot, which is very expensive, so at the moment I am using a thick leather glove.
I am pleased with the bow and I hope you like it.
More pictures to follow.
