Yep, all of the zodiac weapons stuff is a grindfest, there is no way around it. (Unless they nerf the grind when they release Heavensward, which is the only way I will ever level a nexus past ilvl90)

You have to remember that the Zodiac weapons are designed with casual players in mind. They are for people who cannot, or do not want to participate in end game raiding. There will always be equivalent or better weapons than zodiac weapons available from end game raids.

And to be honest, T10 and T11 can be beaten by parties with all ilvl110 weapons. My raid completed T11 for the first time a month ago with all i110/115 weapons, and now half of us have our magitek weapons. Not until T12 does the content get hard enough to really need stuff ilvl120 or above.

So if you don't feel like grinding for your yoichi bow, then skip it. It is completely unnecessary and IMO a waste of time, but to each their own. Some people have the time to spend on it and don't mind the grind.