High School Kendo in Japan?
 

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).

It is not compulsory

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?

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.

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...

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.

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