[AngegepeM]

I have always believed that Kendo is compulsory in High School in Japan. Never thought much about it but now that I am in a training role, can anyone tell me exactly how it works.

Is it compulsory? At what age does it start? Is it training or are there theory classes? I suppose I am after a description of the whole system in Japan.

And finally, is it a good thing? (I would say yes but we could all be biased).

[MidwestMadman]

It is not compulsory

[klnbgqr]

Thank you! There you go...don't always believe what you are told.

So now I am guessing that you are supposed to do a sport (like in Australia but easy to get out of if you want to) and that Kendo would be one of the sport choices, and hopefully a popular choice?

[selayeffethy]

These days soccer, baseball seem the dominant school sports. Kendo is still a choice. I think back in 2007 the law was changed to reintroduce compulsory budo - since these things move slowly there and there was a need to train and prepare teachers etc, it wasnt going to take effect untill 2011/12 (?) when middle school students will have to do judo/kendo/something. Dont know if that is still going ahead.

[AlexClips]

I am no expert, but I believe in most cases it is simply offered as an option either as part of the physical education curriculum or as an extra-curricular club, depending on the school. However, there are many schools that don't have a Kendo club too.

It starts from primary school, i.e. age 6 and up, and the content of the keiko varies largely on the school itself.

I have only practiced at 3 high schools (age 15-18) in Japan, two 'serious' ones (Kyushu) and one less serious one (Osaka). So I am don't really have an accurate view of the whole picture, nor am I involved in the Highschool Kendo 'circuit'.

Having said all of that, soon (next year I think?!) 'Budo' will be re-introduced as a compulsory subject for all students at junior high-school (12-15), and at many (maybe most?) schools Kendo will be an option. However, AFAIK they will still have to choose between Kendo and other Budo (Judo, Nagitana etc. - depends on the school)... This is one of the main reasons the Bokuto Ni Yoru Kihon Waza Keiko Ho are being developed as they are...

[NarunapyCalry]

Budo is already compulsory in high schools. The new regulations just make it compulsory in jr. high school.

Now, when I say "budo is/will be compulsory", what I mean is that it is (currently in high schools and will be for jr. high schools) required for schools to include a section on some sort of budo in their physical education curriculum. This is distinct from the kendo/judo/kyudo etc clubs that already exist. Students will not be forced to join one of those. There will simply be a segment of their regular p.e. classes devoted to the history, philosophy, and practice of a budo. What budo it will be will depend on what facilities/equipment the school has, and what sort of experience the teachers have.

[jeni]

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