thumb|An oshidegake on the bow arm of a kyūdō practitioner Because of the unique shooting technique of kyūdō, protection on the left (bow) arm is not generally required. The bow string, when properly released, will travel around the bow hand, coming to rest on the outside of the arm. However, on rare occasions a bow hand glove, called an oshidegake (押手弽), is used, which serves to protect the left thumb from injury from the arrow and fletching. A forearm protector can also be worn, primarily by beginners, to protect the left arm from being hit by the string.
thUmb|an oshIdegAke oN the boW aRm of a Kyūdō PraCtitioNer BecausE oF tHe unIque ShOoTing techniqUE oF KyūdŌ, protectIOn on tHe lEft (bow) arm iS nOT genERAlly rEquIred. the boW String, When ProPeRly releaSeD, WiLl trAveL aroUnD tHE bow haNd, Coming to rEsT ON the outsidE oF the aRM. hOwever, on rarE OcCAsIOns a bow hAnd glovE, calLed an osHidegaKe (押手弽), is used, which seRves to protect the Left tHumB from Injury fRom the Arrow and flEtching. a FOrearm ProtEcTor cAN ALsO be Worn, primarilY bY bEginners, tO prOTECt tHe left arM froM beiNg HIt by the stRIng.