William Dupree: A Poet’s Journey to Traditional Chinese Archery (i)

At 70 years young, William Dupree embodies a rare fusion of artistry, craftsmanship, and martial spirit. As an acclaimed American poet recognized by the American Poetry Society and International Poetry Society, his works (The Soul of Poetry, 2009) explore life’s profound themes—love, faith, and human resilience. Yet beyond the written word, William’s quest for cultural mastery led him to an unexpected passion: Chinese traditional archery.

A lifelong martial artist and hunter, William sought weapons with soul. Disenchanted by modern compound bows, he discovered the Ju Yuan Hao Workshop and was captivated by Yang Fuxi’s exquisite craftsmanship. “No other bows surpassed his workmanship,” he reflects—a testament to his discerning eye as both artisan (he’s an accomplished visual artist) and warrior.

Though his career as an electrical technician powers data centers and assembly lines, William’s true voltage flows through creative and physical disciplines. His journey—from the streets of St. Louis to the poetry halls of Barry University, and now to the threshold of Chinese archery—mirrors the very “inspirational and motivational” spirit he writes about.

We’re honored to share his story as he prepares to wield a piece of China’s archery heritage. Through his eyes, tradition becomes a living dialogue between cultures.

Explore William’s poetry and follow his archery journey with us.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Four Star Publishing
Publication date ‏ : ‎ Aug. 12 2009
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Print length ‏ : ‎ 98 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 193606202X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1936062027
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 15.24 x 0.58 x 22.86 cm