2016.8 KENDOJIDAI
Photography: Sasai Takamasa
Moderator: Yamane Yohei (Representative of Kendo Midori no Kaze)
Translation: Sato Mariko, Boomgaard Pepijn
Approximately 80% of the Kendo club members under the guidance of these three teachers began practicing Kendo in middle school. Despite the fact that club activities during the three years of middle school effectively last only two and a half years, they have successfully surpassed more experienced Kendo opponents, advanced through district tournaments, and qualified for the prefectural championships. Through supportive coaching, these teachers have inspired motivation in their students and fostered a love for Kendo. What are their unique approaches?
(May 15, 2016, at Kawaguchi City Shiba-Nishi Junior High School)
Shirai Katsuna
Born in Iruma City, Saitama Prefecture. Began practicing Kendo at the Sayama Police Youth Kendo Club of the Saitama Prefectural Police. Spent her middle and high school years in Illinois, USA. After graduating from Tokyo Gakugei University, she became a teacher in Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture.
Isobe Mayako
Born in Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture. Began practicing Kendo at Hosshinkan Horikoshi Dojo. Attended Takasaki Girls’ High School before advancing to Saitama University, where she won the All Japan Women’s Student Kendo Championship during her university years. After graduation, she became a teacher in Gunma Prefecture.
Yamanaka Kotomi
Born in Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture. Began practicing Kendo at Shuhokan. Attended Azasawa High School, where her team placed third in the group competition at the Inter-High School Championships. She later advanced to Saitama University and won the All Japan Women’s Student Kendo Championship during her university years. After graduation, she became a teacher in Saitama Prefecture.
Yamane Yohei
Born in Kitamoto City, Saitama Prefecture. Began practicing Kendo at Gedatsu Renshinkan. Graduated from Saitama Sakae High School. Founder of Kendo Midori no Kaze.
Transforming Students into Athletic Form
Yamane: I’ve had opportunities to work with you at training camps and practice matches, and I’ve often been impressed by how skillfully you guide your students. It’s been about a month since the new school year started. How many new members have you managed to recruit?
Isobe: This year, we welcomed seven new members—five boys and two girls. Among them, one boy and one girl have experience, while the other five are beginners.
Shirai: At Goi Junior High, we recruited 15 new members—eight girls and seven boys. Of those, seven girls and five boys are complete beginners. During the club introduction at the welcome event for new students, we had the third-years perform continuous Oji-waza to show how much they’ve improved in two years. I think that demonstration really caught their attention.
Yamanaka: Shiba-Nishi Junior High also brought in 15 new members—eight boys and seven girls. Among them, only two boys are beginners, and all the girls have prior experience. This year, we have many experienced members, but traditionally, the majority of our students are beginners.
Yamane: So, the majority are beginners. I saw them at practice matches, and it’s hard to believe they only started Kendo in middle school.
Shirai: Some people blame losses on “having mostly beginners,” but I don’t like that excuse. While it might be impressive to win with only beginners, it’s not uncommon for students to start Kendo in middle school.
Yamanaka: During a meeting, the topic of “what is necessary to win” came up, and someone answered, “talent.” While talent might be important, I don’t think it’s everything. I graduated from Azasawa High School, where my mentor, Saito Manabu, coached students who started Kendo in high school and led them to victory at the Inter-High Championships. Saito Sensei was deeply committed to research and constantly thought about how to make his students stronger. Because of that experience, I don’t place much emphasis on whether or not students have prior Kendo experience when I teach.
Yamane: What kind of students typically join the Kendo club?
Shirai: Some say, “The seniors in other clubs seem scary, but the Kendo club seniors look kind” (laughs).
Isobe: That’s true. At our school, many join because of negative reasons, like thinking basketball is too intense. As a result, we tend to attract students who aren’t very athletic.
Yamanaka: Our Kendo club members often don’t rank highly in physical fitness tests. That’s why we’ve incorporated morning running sessions as part of our training.
Yamane: It’s true that their athletic ability might not be high. Given that, what specific goals do you set when coaching these students?
Yamanaka: The first priority is building their physical strength. Kendo Bogu weighs nearly 4 kilograms, so pushing them into intense exercise right away could lead to injuries. We start by developing their stamina and strength through training and practicing Suburi.
Isobe: For us, it’s also about building their physical foundation. We focus heavily on footwork and Suburi. In July, there’s a district tournament that anyone can participate in. We have them wear Kendo Bogu after about a month of practice. Even if they don’t win at this tournament, we aim to help them feel that “Kendo is fun.”
Shirai: Our debut match is at the Ichihara City tournament at the end of the month. Our goal is for them to have the confidence to face their opponents and shout loudly during the matches.
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