jouset

Jouset are the plural of jousi, Finnish for 'bow'. The term covers two broad categories of bow-shaped implements used in different activities: archery bows used to shoot arrows, and bows used to play bowed string instruments such as violin, viola, cello, and double bass. In Finnish, the same word refers to both senses, with context usually clarifying the meaning.

In archery, a jousi is a flexible limb that stores energy as the string is drawn. Traditional bows are made from a single piece of wood; later forms use laminated woods or composites. Common types include longbows, recurves, and, in modern sport, compound bows that use cables and cams to increase energy transfer. Bows are selected according to draw weight, length, and purpose (recreational, target, or hunting).

In music, a jousi refers to the instrument bow. It is a curved stick with horsehair stretched between the tip and the frog, which is pressed and drawn across strings to produce sound. Quality bows may use Pernambuco wood or other tonewoods; modern bows increasingly use carbon fiber. Hair is rosined to grip strings and produce friction.

Overall, jouset can denote equipment in both archery and music, and their specific features vary widely by tradition, discipline, and construction material.