Feliks Hoff Sensei is from Hamburg, Germany, and has been training for over 51 years, during which time he achieved the rank of Kyoshi 6-Dan from the All Japan Kyudo Federation, and was instrumental in spreading of budo, specifically Kyudo in Germany and Europe.
Hoff Sensei led the founding of the first kyudo group in Germany in 1969, the European Kyudo Federation in 1980, the German Kyudo Federation in 1994, was the taikai coordinator for the European Kyudo Federation for 28 years, and a member of the founding committee of the International Kyudo Federation, sitting as a director for the first 10 years of existence.
Hoff Sensei is also the author of the one of the preeminent books on Kyudo internationally, called “Kyudo: The Way of the Bow”
It was such an inspiring experience, speaking with Hoff Sensei, as he shared his budo experience that spans 5 decades, always maintaining the same beginners mind and passion of the practice.
His resume of achievements seems superhuman, and yet he comes across as the most humble, kind, and generous human being you could talk to. This conversation has lessons for any budo practitioner, young and old, and I’ve not doubt that the more we follow Hoff Sensei’ example, the better our world will be.
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