My name is Koji Kazuma, and I will be serving as the chairman of the Kendo Specialist Subcommittee for the next three years, from 2023 to 2026. This committee was established in 1999, and, as stated in the Japanese Academy of Budo 50th Anniversary Commemorative Journal, its objectives are:
Based on the traditional culture of Japan, we aim to conduct research on kendo from the perspective of the humanities and social sciences; to conduct research on kendo from the natural sciences based in sports medicine and science; to conduct practical research to improve competitive performance; to conduct research on teaching methods in the field of education; to conduct research on kendo as a lifelong martial art; and to respond to internationalisation, while considering the future of kendo from a more multifaceted and interdisciplinary perspective. (from the 50th Anniversary Commemorative Publication of the Japanese Academy of Budo)
At present, our activities are based on three main pillars: planning lectures at academic conferences, organising research workshops, and the publication of the ESPRIT newsletter.
I would like to introduce some of the activities we have been involved in. The 56th Japanese Academy of Budo Conference, which was held from September 4-5, 2023, at the lush and green Kashihara Campus of Osaka Kyoiku University, and as part of the Kendo Specialist Subcommittee Meeting, we were able to hold a lecture by Mr. Nobuo Seki (CurriculumCur Researcher Officer, Japan Sports Agency Policy Division). Mr. Seki spoke on the theme of “Towards the Further Enrichment of Budo Classes in School Physical Education”. Afterwards, there was a lively question and answer session, not only from kendo teachers, but also from teachers of other budo. For myself, this lecture was a chance to get some hints on how to express and convey kendo as a form of budo so that every student can grow up healthy and well-rounded.
In March this year (2023), we co-hosted an online lecture with BUDO WORLD titled “The Latest Situation of Kendo in Germany”’ by Ms. Kazuko Kump, who lives in Germany. She introduced many of her energetic efforts in Germany, including the creative events that allow people to experience the joy of kendo, providing a fresh learning experience for all participants.
Incidentally, even after the long-running COVID-19 pandemic was downgraded to Category 5, I have heard that at some universities, half of the classes are still being held online, so there are fewer students on campus, and extracurricular activities, which should be fun, are under strain. On the other hand, at ordinary dojo, the number of training days and participants has increased, and I have also started to see many foreign kendo enthusiasts coming to Japan to practise. I feel more grateful than before for being able to train face-to-face. Also, when it wasn’t possible to train due to COVID-19, I had more opportunities to read books such as Neko no Myojutsu (The Mysterious Techniques of the Cat) by Issai Chozan (1659-1741) and Satori no Hanashi (Stories of Enlightenment) from Chiba Shusaku Iko (The Posthumous Works of Chiba Shusaku[1793-1855]). These were written during the Edo period when swords were worn on one’s waist, so they are good sources for learning about the meaning of sutemi, cultivating ki, and harmonising with your opponent, as they are based on realistic combat scenarios. I would also like to try reading other materials.
During this period, I also started to spend more time practising the Nihon Kendo Kata (established in 1912). I feel that if I had more opportunities to delve into the principles between the lines of the Nihon Kendo Kata Handbook (published by the All Japan Kendo Federation) while practising, it could make learning more enjoyable for both myself and the next generation.
In Japan there are instructors who have continued to practise kendo past the age of 100. Outside of Japan, too, there are many kendo enthusiasts who continue to practise as they grow older. These teachers continue to train themselves both physically and mentally, but at the same time they also have a supple way of thinking. In an age when people are hoping for long and healthy lives, kendo will continue to attract more and more attention from around the world, and we must respond to this from the perspective of research. As stated in the founding principles of the Kendo Specialist Subcommittee, it is essential to think about and research the future of kendo, so let's keep this in mind as we look to the future and carry out our research activities.
I would like to conclude my remarks by expressing the hope that the results of our research will be noticed by researchers and kendo enthusiasts both in Japan and overseas, fostering extensive exchanges, and that young researchers will be active in this field.
(Kogakuin University)