Transcribed from Japan Times and records found in Records Group 331, National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Maryland. Archival research by Jason Couch. Edited, organized, introduced, and transcribed by Joseph Svinth. Copyright © EJMAS 2002. All rights reserved.
 
 

Following the onset of the Pacific War in December 1941, the Japanese military decided that the physical education curriculum of the Japanese schools and universities required direct military applications. Therefore, in March 1942, Lieut. General Ryukichi Tanaka ordered the Dai Nippon Butokukai (Great Japan Martial Virtue Association, a martial art regulatory institution established in Kyoto in 1895) to make martial art instruction in Japan subordinate to the war effort. Opposition from traditionalists was quickly silenced, and by September 1942, even the Kodokan (the judo organization established by Jigoro Kano in 1882) had become directly subordinate to the newly militarized Butokukai. Along the way, tournament judo came to be described as a waste of time, kendo was derided as dancing with bamboo rods, and kyudo was ridiculed for being hopelessly out of date. Consequently, by 1945, martial arts ("budo") had come to mean training in hand-to-hand fighting rather than kendo, judo, and kyudo.

With the end of the war in August 1945, the Ministry of Education regained control of Japan’s physical education curriculum, and this ended the bayonet and grenade throwing in the Japanese public schools. Simultaneously, judo, kendo, kyudo, and karate teachers began returning their instruction to prewar standards. Consequently, most martial art practitioners expected that it wouldn’t be long before tournaments and promotions resumed, similar to what they had been before the war.

Then, on October 22, 1945, the Supreme Commander Allied Powers (SCAP) notified the Ministry of Education that "dissemination of militaristic and ultranationalistic ideology will be prohibited and all military education and drill will be discontinued." Two months later, on January 4, 1946, SCAP issued Directive 550, which, with its companion Directive 548, required "the removal and exclusion from public life of militaristic and ultra nationalistic persons." One result of these orders was that the Ministry of Education eliminated martial arts from school curricula and another was that the Dai Nippon Butokukai was closed.

Although new federations quickly arose to take the place of the Butokukai, its closure still left Japan without a central regulatory authority for martial arts for the first time in decades. Meanwhile, from 1946 until 1948, SCAP actively persecuted ("purged") former fascists. Some of the latter were martial art enthusiasts. This added to the confusion about what was legal and what was not, and the result was confusion in Japanese martial art circles that did not begin working itself out until the late 1940s.

Because of this postwar confusion, there has since arisen the perception that SCAP imposed a Budo Ban on Japan. In reality, however, the "budo" banned was not traditional martial arts such as kendo and judo, but instead the products of state fascism that operated under the same name during the 1930s and 1940s.

Documentation to support the preceding summary appears below. The organization is essentially chronological. Editing has been minimal, and the most significant changes appear in subheadings, which were modified slightly so that they did a better job of separating material onscreen. Otherwise, titles of subheadings and dates are presented as in the original documents. Total length is about 16,000 words.

For further reading, see the SCAP and Ministry of Education records on microfilm and:

[Japan’s newly appointed Education Minister, Tamon Maeda, said]: "Without waiting for possible interference from the Allied nations, Japan wishes to go ahead in shaping a new educational policy. The safeguarding of Japan’s fundamental character and its contribution to world peace as well as the construction of firm culture involving the promotion of physical development and study of natural science must be the new guiding policies."
 
 

[The Ministry of Education announced]: "Military education for students will also be discontinued and all regulations in connection with military education are to be abolished."

Editor’s note: General Douglas MacArthur and his staff flew into Atsugi, about 20 miles from Tokyo, on August 30, 1945. The surrender documents were signed on September 2, 1945, and on September 8, 1945, SCAP headquarters moved to Tokyo, where it remained until Japan regained full sovereignty in April 1952.

 

All warlike subjects as well as those which are not appropriate under the existing peace conditions will be eliminated from all the text books of primary, secondary and youths’ schools, according to a decision reached by the authorities of the Education Ministry. These subjects ill be eliminated either in whole or in part as the case may demand and teachers are ordered to exercise extreme caution in handling any subject which is considered unconducive to pacific thought. On September 20, the Vice-Minister of the Education Ministry issued orders to the governors of prefectures regarding this matter.

Lovers of sport must greet with joy the recent announcement of plans to revive athletic activities. The all-out war effort that ended a short time ago had no room for sufficient recreation, and it appeared that, aside from certain exceptions, the world of sports had been completely forgotten.

Japan has its traditional and colorful "sumo", as well as swimming, hunting, judo, fencing, archery, horsemanship, and others. But it must be admitted in all frankness that the imported sports such as baseball, football, basketball, skating, hockey, tennis, golf, and a few others had completely "stolen the show" from the native field. These imported sports were rendered virtually impossible during the war by reason of the disapproval of the reactionary elements who frowned on all foreign influences, but even had it not been so, it would have been impossible to have continued them any way under the wartime conditions. In itself this fact indicates a sorry contrast with the United States where most sports were continued throughout the war.

There is something about sports that strikes a harmonious chord in the hearts of athletes everywhere. The spirit of fair play, of active and healthy competition, the full expression of the strong human body – these appeal to the young and vigorous people of all nations and races. In this respect, it is a strong welder of the amicable relations between nations, and it is not at all strange that upon the cessation of hostilities we have heard of plans for the holding of the next Olympic Games…
 
 

For the last eight years, the people suffered much not only materially, but physically and spiritually. Therefore, the revival of sports is urgent for the sake of the people. Physical education, however, must be conducted at the people’s initiative, with the Government in the position of giving encouragement and eliminating obstacles.

I hope that all sorts of sport groups which were abolished during the war will be revived, and resume activities. As sports are chosen in consideration of individual interests, circumstances and age, no regulations will be enforced in connection with the choice of sports. When the preservation of peace and order is assured, all kinds of athletic meets are to be revived, and I hope baseball matches, tennis tournaments, and Sumo (Japanese wrestling) will be conducted from this fall.

Editor’s note. According to Japan Times, during a meeting of Japanese government officials and educators held in Tokyo on September 29, 1945, it was decided that "all military exercises and training such as shooting, bayonet practice will be prohibited." The Ministry of Education issued its decision on October 9, 1945, and recipients included the Student Athletic Association and the Dai Nippon Butokukai.
 
 

MEMORANDUM FOR: Imperial Japanese Government

THROUGH: Central Liaison Office, Tokyo

SUBJECT: Administration of the Education System of Japan

1. In order that the newly formed Cabinet of the Imperial Japanese Government shall be fully informed of the objectives and policies of the Occupation with regard to Education, it is hereby directed that:

1. The content of all instruction will be critically examined, revised, and controlled in accordance with the following policies:

From: Vice-Minister of Education

To: Prefectural Governors. Heads of Normal Schools

Subject: Re "Handling of Post-War Course in Physical Education"
 
 

"Budo" (Kendo, Judo, and Naginata) courses to be abolished. These hours to be allocated to general physical training…
 
 

"Budo" (Kendo, Judo, Naginata, and Kyudo) included in the curriculum to be abolished. Furthermore, foregoing subjects are not to be include (sic) in the students’ extracurricular activities…
 
 

"Budo" (Kendo, Judo, Naginata, Kyudo) included in the curriculum to be abolished. Furthermore, the above subjects are not to be included in the students’ extracurricular activities…
 
 

It has been decided that Students’ Associations are not to organize Budo Units (Kendo, Judo, Kyudo)…
 
 

To the Heads of "Shihan Gakko" (Normal Schools), "Semmon Gakko" (College), and "Koto Gakko" (Higher Schools).

By the Vice-minister of Education

Subject: Re. "Handling of Post-War Course in Physical Education."

In accordance with the policy outlined in the several orders issued with the termination of the war, fundamental reforms were necessitated in the Physical Education Course in the "Shihan Gakko" (Normal School), and "Koto Gakko" (Higher Schools). The Ministry is now carefully scrutinizing the curriculum and the results will be announced shortly. For the time being, however, the conduction of the Course in Physical Education shall be based on the following policy.

Furthermore, with the abolishment of "Budo" from the course, special consideration should be given "Budo" instructors, such as to enable them to teach other subjects if they are found to have the necessary qualifications and aptitude. [EN1]

1. The post-war changes in the substance, policy, and measures in the instruction of Physical Education are to be based upon the object of various orders issued by the Ministry after the termination of the war to conform with the new situation.
2. "Budo" (Kendo, Judo, Naginata, Kyudo) included in the curriculum to be abolished. Furthermore, the above subjects are not to be included in the students’ extra-curricular activities.
3. In the selection of the subjects, due consideration to be given to the condition and site of the ground, season, weather, and facility, as well as their capacity for exercise and etc. Aptitude to be manifested in their instruction. Exercise and relaxation to be adjusted.
4. In the instruction, perfunctory and disciplinarian training as well as standardized instructions to be discouraged. Students’ voluntary activeness to be emphasized. Efforts to be made to enliven the students’ cheerful and magnanimous disposition.
5. Competitive treatment of subjects to be emphasized. Through the medium of athletics, efforts to be exerted for the elevation of moral standard.
6. Calisthenics (Free Exercises), regardless of outline set forth in the curriculum, to be practiced chiefly as a setting-up and supplementary exercise in conjunction with other exercises.
7. Control of the athletic fields and students’ safety to be duly considered by proper coordination and cooperation of the subjects followed.
8. Efforts to be exerted for the reconstruction or war-torn facilities. Initiative and inventiveness to be utilized in the use of natural environment, outside of campus, for Physical Training.
9. Labor service in food production and reconstruction work to be so arranged as to enhance Physical Education. Labor and Physical Education to be coordinated.

1. Gymnastics with Apparatus (Heaving, Jumping, Tumbling, Standing on Heads)
2. Running, Jumping, and Throwing (Short Distance, Middle Distance, Long Distance, Obstacle Race, Broad-jump, High-jump, Hop-step-and-jump, Stick Throwing
3. Wrestling (men only)
4. Handball (Field type)
5. Soccer Football (men only)
6. Basketball
7. Volleyball (women only) (Note-- men also play it)
8. Rugby Football (men only)
9. Swimming
10. Skiing
11. Exercises with Music (women only)

1. Subject, other than those listed above, which are included in the outline of Physical Education are to be added at discretion and proper instruction to be given. However, all martial games, exercises, and events (marching with marked steps, Wall-scaling, Hand-grenade Throwing, "Aikoku Koshin Kyoku", "Uni Yukaba", "Kurogane no Chikahara", "Gunkan Koshin Kyoku") to be eliminated.
2. Besides the aforementioned subjects, Parallel Bars, Rings, Pommelled Horse, Pole Vaulting, Shot Putting, Discus Throwing, Javelin Throwing, Volleyball, Baseball, Tennis, Rowing, Skiing, and other appropriate subjects are to be added at discretion.

Received reports from three metropolitan and twenty-five prefectures.

A. The following list shows those which were warned about the disposal of arms used for military drill.

1. The military salute (attention and raising one’s hand).
2. The military salute when gathering or marching.
3. The form when gathering for morning salute and gymnastics.
4. Walking, keeping step, and forming ranks.
5. The imperative and coercive words of command and likewise the attitudes of the leaders.
6. Orderly movements, reports in a loud voice and repeat.

A. Total reports 144.
 

	Answers Received	Inquiries Dispatched	% of Answers Received
Universities	15	43	35%
High Schools	17	32	53%
Agricultural College	10	24	42%
Economical College	11	24	42%
Industrial College	29	64	45%
Veterinary College	5	6	83%
Dental College	19	2	59%
Normal Schools	26	55	47%
Women’s College	6	64	9%
Others	6	23	26%
Total	144	367	39%

 

B. Main Problems Persisting

The number of problems in high schools and colleges is comparatively small. We received reports from Tokyo Industrial University, Niihama Industrial College and Wakayama Industrial College.

The above mentioned three schools were all under suspicion of hiding arms, but these situation seem to have been brought to an amicable settlement

.

1. Regarding the disposal of arms for military drill, we can say that it was carried out in perfect order and only a few were reprimanded by the occupied forces for their lack of thoroughness.
2. Most of the schools that were under suspicion for the continuance of militaristic colour were not criticized for the teaching matter itself, but for the formal teaching and coercive and imperative attitudes in teaching. As a rule, we can say that the physical training course is returning to its original work, though there were many misunderstandings at the end of the war.
3. About the disposal of equipment for Budo (fencing and Judo). On account of the misunderstanding of the reason why Budo was suspended, much of the equipment was burned. We hope a more thoughtful disposal will be followed as it is very hard to get this equipment now.

Mr. Bando, member of the Diet-- "Judo is banned, but there are various jujitsu, similar to judo, such as the Azuma school, or Shibukawa school. Also there is karate. Do you mean all these, as well as judo, are banned?"

Mr. Hidaka, government representative--"Yes, it is so. Judo, karate, kyudo, everything that is called by the name of budo is not supposed to be used [in the schools]. That is the understanding we have agreed upon."
 
 

Reports on Judo, Kendo, and Kyudo prepared by the Japanese groups concerned in connection with the demonstration program of these three sports were submitted and forwarded to Chief of Education Division. The Judo report reads as follows:

With the permission of the Education Division, a demonstration of these sports showing the pre-war, war-time, and post-war forms was conducted, inviting members of the Education Division.

Comments of those members who have seen the demonstration can be summarized:

1. All remarks are favorable to archery if practiced voluntarily.
2. All favor Judo but differ as to where it should be taught. The majority favor middle school and up.
3. Some favor elementary. Others suggest college as the starting point.
4. Kendo is not seen favorably by the majority. Some suggest middle school and up, some suggest extra-curricular only.

With the termination of the war, the Ministry of Education considered their [Budo arts] continuation open to question and took the temporary expedient of eliminating them from school education as falling under "e" (prohibited in both school hours and as extra-curricular activities).

These sports have been widely popular among all classes of people and have a merit of their own as sports suitable for cultivation of virtues and character.

Since the termination of the war, lovers of Judo, Kendo and Kyudo have voluntarily eliminated militaristic colors and built them up as new sports.
 
 

Survey conducted in regard to students’ preference of sports at various levels of the school system:
 

	Judo	Kendo
University group	9th	19th (sic)
Secondary group	7th	12th

 

The Butokukai was formed by followers of the ancient Japanese art of fencing, judo (jujitsu) and archery and aimed, through improvement in training and technical skill, at fostering a deportment of frugality, chivalry and pride and at elevating character and training of physique. Thus it is neither a political, ideological body nor a militaristic body. Neither did it take part in and (sic) or quasi-militaristic training. The following attempts to demonstrate this point through a historical survey and through their real activities

.

The Butokukai was established at Kyoto in April 1895 by civilian enthusiasts with the object of building up the physique and mind and the inculcation of curtesy (sic) through training in the ancient Japanese Art of fencing, judo (jujitsu) and archery. At that time the Governor of Kyoto Prefecture, Mr. Chiaki Watanabe was made Chairman and leading members were appointed from among the respective spheres and have been instrumental in the advancement and dissemination of these arts. Subsequently, members of the society increased in many localities and the members in the various prefectures formed themselves into branches of the society and thus commenced activities by contributions from members and enthusiasts.

In the prefectures it became customary as in the case of Kyoto, to delegate the head post of the branch to the prefectural governor. With the establishment of the local branches it no longer became appropriate at Kyoto to have its governor as the chairman, and it was decided to ask a senior person to assume it. Accordingly, Mr. Shuzo Aoki, the then Foreign Minister and others were appointed in the beginning. For reasons given later on, retired soldiers were subsequently made chairmen. Their activities however never at any time exceeded the aims given before and no political or ideological activities were carried out up to and subsequent to the reform of 1942.

After the commencement of the Pacific War, on the demand of the military (person responsible at that time was former Lieut. General Ryukichi Tanaka, Chief of Military Affairs Bureau) and with the object of co-ordinating military arts and the advancement of bayonet drill and shooting, the Ministry of Welfare (the then Minister of Welfare, former Surgeon Lieut. General [Chikahiko] Koizumi ) planned to establish a new Martial Arts Organization. Despite strong opposition from the Butokukai which took its stand from its tradition and original mission, it was arbitrarily taken over and the old name of Butokukai was continued, while in addition to fencing, judo and archery (including the arts of scythe, staff and stick wielding) the two arts of bayonet drill and shooting were added, thus culminating in March 1942 in the formation of a new organization as an outer organization of the government. The Prime Minister [Hideki Tojo] was appointed Chairman, while the five Ministers of Welfare, Education, War, Navy, and Home Affairs, together with one other from academic circles were made Vice-Chairman [sic]. Although the competent minister was the Minister of Welfare [e.g., Koizumi, who was interested in improving the physical fitness of military-age youth], the reasons for the appointment of the five ministers as vice-chairmen are due to the relation to these arts of students, soldiers and police personnel and the respective ministers concerned were thus made vice-chairmen. After this reform the military attempted arbitrarily to disseminate bayonetting and shooting to the youthful group, but the leading members of the old Butokukai who had adhered to fencing, judo and archery of their own free choice, maintained their ground on these old arts and internal harmony could not have been said to have been attained. Thus the military were unsuccessful in their attempt to exercise control over them, with the result that the pivot of Butokukai rested as before on the arts of fencing, judo and archery and training in bayonetting and shooting were given by War Veteran’s Association and the Dainippon Shooting Association. As far as the Butokukai was concerned, it merely planned dissemination to the general public, while as far as supervision and giving training were concerned, it took no part whatsoever but merely confined itself in the case of bayonetting to affording tests to those who asked for them.
 
 

With the surrender, the Butokukai immediately embarked upon wholesale reform in order to efface its abnormal wartime character. Thus it abolished bayonetting and shooting and having reverted to a purely civilian body, it was democratically organized to contribute to the advancement of judo, fencing and archery as a healthy sport. Subsequently stern attention was drawn by the General Headquarters to the existence of certain undesirable persons among the members of the Butokukai. Since however, by the character of this organization it was unable to assume responsibility in the suppression of individual activities of such persons, it took its inevitable step of a voluntary dissolution.
 
 

As stated before, owing to the gradual increase in the members since the establishment of the Butokukai in 1895, the branches were operated by the members by prefectures through contributions of members and enthusiasts. In the local districts the martial arts were cultivated and maintained, apart from a few enthusiasts, by police officers from the nature of their duties and the Butokukai was operated with the police officers as the central figures. Its enterprise consisted in the erection of a Butoku Hall and in perfecting the martial arts and confined itself to holding exhibitions once or twice a year for the training of the body and the mind. The branches were independent financially of the central headquarters and possessed independent capital and the leading members thereof were appointed by the branch chiefs. Thus apart from the granting of high gradings which was controlled by the central headquarters, the activities of the branches were not bound in anyway by headquarters, and they were operated on a self-regulatory basis. Furthermore, the formations of branches were not confined to this country alone, but branches were established overseas, for example not only in Shanghai and Hankow but also in Southern California and in Seattle.
 
 

The Chairmanship of the Butokukai had been occupied since 1916 by retired military persons. This was due to the following. As stated previously, in the early days the former Foreign Minister, Mr. Shuzo Aoki and later to the former Minister of Communications Viscount Kanetake Oura were made charmen (sic). In 1915, the then chairman Viscount Ka (sic) Kanetake Oura retired from politics under a cloud of suspected corruption and with his consequent resignation a policy was taken to avoid selecting the chairman from among politicians as it was seen that political contraversy (sic) was becoming predominant and the desirability of creating the Society into a sports organ of true lovers of the arts, free from political and ideological influences. Thus it was considered appropriate that a retired soldier whose non-participation in politics is a prerequisite, of high character and uprighteousness (sic) should be given the post and in 1916 Lieut. General Nariyuki Miyoshi was made Chairman and thus this procedure became customary subsequently, for non political retired soldiers with high moral integrity to be appointed in turn, Fusataro Hongo, Soroku Suzuki, Taketsugy (sic) Nara being these. The Vice-Chairman was chosen from among suitable civilian circles. The first Chairman with a Prime Minister’s record was General Senjuro Hayashi [February 2, 1937-June 2, 1937]. He was responsible for the sudden dissolution of the Diet in the spring of 1938 and retired from the scene having demonstrated his arbitrary and overweening political ability. His subsequent appointment to the Chairmanship is entirely due to his personal character and has no bearing upon his political record which must be considered a failure. Thus no changes were made in the activities of the Butokukai, following his appointment and not the least signs of either political or ideological activities were to be seen.

It was customary to appoint the prefectural governors as the heads of the branches…
 
 

No qualification is required in that the object of the Purge is in the removal and exclusion from public office of militaristic and ultranationalistic persons. The organizations under Paragraph "C" must be such that their aims or the results of their activities fall under any one of the items under paragraph 1 of the SCAP Memorandum of January 4, 1946.

The organizations thus far designated as paragraph "C" cases have all possessed aims or activities which fall under the above disqualifying categories. It is a fact however that the Butokukai for circumstances stated before were formed by enthisiasts (sic) of the ancient Japanese Art of judo, fencing and archery for the purpose of training character in the virtues of curtesy (sic), pride and courage and in the building of moral intergrity (sic) and physical fitness. Never at any time did the activities of this society exceed the limits of these aims. By the organization reform of 1942 its organizational formation and activities were seen temporarily to have distorted the original mission and character, but the circumstances leading up to it together with the actual facts of the case were as has been stated before an emanation of wartime abnormality and not the real outcome of the intentions of the Butokukai. Nor were its activities in any close proximity to the pretensions of the military and politico-ideological activities within such interpretation were entirely inconceivable. It is possible that there were persons amongst those who were strong at fencing and judo and who received grades from the Butokukai, who possessed militaristic or agressive (sic) thoughts and who were responsible for such activities and it is moreover a fact that persons concerned in the martial arts have been actually warned by the General Headquarters for having exchanged correspondence of suspected such nature since the surrender. It is considered however that such cases have been the results in many cases of discontent through the loss of livelihood on the part of instructors following on the abolition of the martial arts from school curricula and that a minority of these discontend (sic) groups became recklessly disconsolate. These discontended (sic) groups are not necessarily directly related to the Butokukai and even if they are members thereof, their unruly words and behaviour were entirely personal of which the Butokukai were wholly ignorant. It is not for the Butokukai to assume responsibility for the behaviour and actions of such individuals. Thus it was that the Butokukai aimed solely at training in the martial arts for the advancement of the moral character of the individual and in the shaping of the mind and physique. Never did it lend itself to the assertion of aggression or militarism or to acts of violence and thus it cannot be regarded as a militaristic or ultra nationalistic body.
 
 

On the occasion of the reform of 1942, as a result of strong pressure from the military, the Butokukai came to handle nominally bayonetting and shooting in addition to judo, fencing and archery. As stated before, however, the enthusiasts who adhered to the tradition of the old Butokukai never agreed with the military and in actual fact diverged considerably from the initial intentions of the military. In other words neither bayonetting drill, nor shooting were carried out by the Butokukai but courses were given in these by the Japan War Veteran’s Association and the Japan Shooting Association and in the schools. The Butokukai carried out tests in regard to those who desired them in bayonetting drills. Especially in regard to shooting, the Butokukai possessed not a single rifle-range and training as well as tests were given by the Japan Shooting Association (A member organization of the World Olympic Federation). The Butokukai thus disseminated bayonetting art and shooting to the general public. Never did it take part in the direction or training thereof, nor were there any relation between the Butokukai and the schools or War Veteran’s Association which gave such training.

Thus even assuming bayonet exercise and shooting to be militaristic or quasi-militaristic, it would be wrong to assume that the Butokukai engaged in organized and co-ordinated training thereof. It is clearly stretching the point too far to consider shooting as militaristic or quasi-militaristic just as shooting for game-shooting is considered a pleasant sport and is widely acclaimed by peace-loving persons and just as the Japan Shooting Association a member organization of the Olympic Federation can hardly be considered a paragraph "C" case.

Ever since its foundation, the Butokukai has it is true been engaged in the advancement of the technique in the ancient Japanese arts of judo, fencing and archery but through the attainment of this technical skill it has never given militaristic or quasi-militaristic training or diffused a bellicose spirit or to have had such aims. As far as the Butokukai was concerned it was essentially a sports organization formed by persons of common leanings resulting in the erection of training halls in the respective branches, where such persons got together for the improvement in technical skill. It was fundamentally a voluntary organization of enthusiasts with the specivic (sic) aim of perfection of technique and personal polishing-up. Never did it carry out any generally organized directed training, let alone resort to propaganda or technique or training with militaristic motives. Where organized training in judo or fencing was given most were perhaps in the armed forces, schools and police. The education in the armed forces and in the schools bear no relation to the Butokukai. Among instructors in schools there are some graduates of martial arts Technical Schools operated by the Butokukai; but on the 5000 martial arts instructors at the time of the abolition of martial arts education they only numbered 800. The relations of these persons to the Butokukai moreover were personal and there is no relation whatsoever between the education given in the martial arts in the schools and the Butokukai.

The training given in judo and fencing in the police forces were executed in consideration of the nature of their duties and the fact that this constituted the chief work in the branches are as stated previously. To regard judo or fencing themselves as something militaristic or quasi-militaristic or agressive (sic) is clearly mistaken just as in the case of shooting. Judo or fencing are no different from boxing or wrestling.

For these reasons even after the organizational reform of 1942, to regard the Butokukai as having carried out militaristic or quasi-militaristic training or aimed at the perpetuation of an agressive (sic) spirit or committed such acts, is a conclusion which cannot be said to be based on accurate facts.
 
 

Teaching of military subjects should be totally forbidden in all education institutions. The wearing by students of military-style uniforms should be forbidden. Classical sports, such as Kendo, which encourage the martial spirit, should be totally abandoned. Physical training should no longer be associated with the Seishin Kyoiku ["spiritual education"]. Greater emphasis should be placed on games and other recreational activities than on pure calisthenics and drill. If former servicemen are employed as drill instructors, or in connection with physical training or sports, they should be carefully screened.

NOTE: Although Karate was never forbidden as part of the school and university physical education and sports program in the Notification, it has since been interpreted by M/E as coming under Hatsu Tai No. 80. (In original.)
 
 

To: Director of physical section, educational department G.H.Q.

1. We take the liverty (sic) of inviting you to the acting meeting of the ancient Japanese knight arts which will be held to display the late instructor’s excellent arts as follows:

1. Time and date: From noon to 5.00 P.M. ____ Saturday June 1948.
2. Meeting place: Hibiya Public Hall in Tokyo (If this place is changed, new place will be notified).
3. Kind of Japanese knight art:

The ancient Japanese knight arts are quite different from these at present. Because these arts were always performed for them in order to cultivate their merits of coutesy (sic), modesty, morality and affection. Through these arts they loved peace as their Japanese letters are showing their meaning "stop war".

The ancient Japanese knight pursuits the gentlemanship. They are strickly (sic) prohibited from use their sowrds (sic) and spears at rnadom (sic). Cosequently (sic) it is evident that these instructors were gentlemen and always looked up to by people then contributed to that times.

Now, we, niheritors (sic), will get together and hold this meeting for the purpose of thinking of past.

We shall be much pleased if you will kindly come to this meeting with your family, many officers, enlisted men and civilians.

/s/ Tetsusaburo Kawauchi, Member of the inheritor’s gathering of the ancient Japanese knight arts
 
 

From: Police Branch, Public Safety Division

During investigation inspection of Yamaguchi Prefecture, NRP [National Rural Police] Troop Commander invited us to a tournament of Kendo and Judo. This tournament was an all police affair, both NRP and MP [Military Police] from Yamaguchi Prefecture taking part, under the auspices of the NRP…

Judo has been approved for the police by PSD [Public Safety Division] to fit in with modern police training methods with the understanding that Kendo will not be practiced, as it has no place in police training…

To date, no school in Japan may teach or practice Judo, although it may be taught by a private institution not permanently supported by the government. NRP is violating existing directives in sponsoring the revival of Kendo, which to the Japanese means the cult of the sword and all that that denotes… [EN2]
 
 

From: Mr. Wm. Neufeld, Physical Education Consultant

Subject: Possibilities of Modification of Order #80, Bureau of Physical Education, drafted November 6, 1945

1. Attached hereto is memorandum to SCAP drafted by Mr. MacEvoy, editor of Reader’s Digest in Japan.

2. During the past few months the Physical Education Bureau and the Physical Education Consultant have received repeated requests for modification in Order No. 80 in order to permit the instruction and competition in the sports of Judo, Kendo, and Kyudo. The attached memorandum to SCAP is one of several such requests. Other requests have come from individual student groups and private sports organizations. The consultants in Health and Physical Education feel that rather than consider Judo only in this modification, a general re-evaluation of Order No. 80 in the light of the following three objectives should be considered before any modification be made; that is:

1. What does it contribute to the physical fitness program?
2. Is it sound from a social education approach?
3. What contribution does it make from the standpoint of developing worthwhile skills?

4. Since the major reason given for discontinuance of Budo sports in schools and universities was because of the close relationship of these sports with the military arts, it is felt that a reevaluation should be made in regard to what progress has been made in eliminating these militaristic tendencies in the sports. It is hoped that some such measure of progress in this direction may be made at the time of the national meet at Fukuoka the latter part of October. Judo competition for policemen, on a national scale, will be conducted as one of the many sports at that time. The consultant understands that the word "Budo" which includes the sports of Kendo, Judo, Naginata, and Kyudo means "warrior’s ways" which seems to be the major stigma attached to these sports. There is no further reference to these sports in Order No. 80 as being the martial arts. Order No. 80 (c) states the following: "‘Budo’ (Kendo, Judo, Nagianta [sic], Kyudo) included in the curriculum to be abolished. Furthermore, foregoing subjects are not to be included in the students’ extra curriculum activities."

5. It is impossible for the Physical Education Consultants, with their limited experience in Japan, to determine to what extent these sports are related to their military arts in the minds of the Japanese people.

6. The part which these sports can play in the school physical education program varies somewhat with each sport:

FOR: Major Jack P. Napier, Government Section, G.H.Q.

With reference to the result of the examination we have made by your recent inquiry concerning the Zen Nippon Judo Remmei, we have hereby the pleasure of submitting to you the following report.

1. Name: Zen Nippon Judo Remmei Setsuritsu Jumbi Iin Kai (the provisional name).
2. Liaison Office: Kodokan, No. 1, Koishikawa, Kasugacho 1-chome, Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo Metropolis.
3. Purpose: The purpose shall be to aim at the spread and development of Judo and the friendship and harmony of the Judo circles.

1. On the 15th last March [1948] when more than eighty representatives of Judo-lovers of various parts of Japan gathered together in Fukuoka City and had the round table conference, it was keenly desired by most of those present to the officers of the Kodo Kan that the All Japan Judo League should be established for the democratic development and spread of Judo by uniting the Judo organizations of all areas and all occupations scattered in disorder and with no control.
2. In consequence, on the 2nd last May [1948] when the tenth anniversary of the [death of the] late Jigoro KANO, the founder of the Kodo-Kan, was held, the fifteen representatives of the Judo grade-holders of various parts of Japan were nominated managers to prepare for the establishment of All Japan Judo league so that what is stated in A. and the spirit of the teachings of Mr. KANO, "Good use of Energy" and "Culture for Oneself and for Others" might be realized.
3. The next day, that is, on the 3rd last May, four of them were specially nominated drafting committeemen for drawing up the draft of the regulations, and they undertook to draw it up mostly with the purport mentioned in the foregoing paragraphs…
4. In the early part of last June the draft of the regulations with the foregoing purport were sent off to the eleven representatives of the Judo grade-holders in various parts of Japan with the exception of the four drafting committeemen, and towards the end of last September, collecting their opinion concerning the partial revisions, the present draft of the regulations have been drawn up. Further, in order to democratize it, the draft was printed and sent off to the Judo grade-holders and the Judo-lovers throughout Japan (about the fifth or the sixth of this month).
5. On one hand, at the office of the Preliminary Committee for the Establishment of this League, arrangement has been made to cause the organization of this League and the Preliminary Committee for the Establishment of this League to be fixed to have the nature of a true democratic sport organization; those who have fallen under the Purge Ordinance and those who have positively co-operated for the war are voluntarily rejected by them. For example, among the foregoing fifteen representatives of the Judo grade-holders, Gensui ARAI (who has the seventh grade and Director of Kodo Kan, living at No. 4680, Matsuyama Town, Hiki County, Saitama Prefecture) was designated to have fallen under the Purge Ordinance as he had been Director of the Saitama Prefectural Branch of the Butoku Kai from 1942 to 1945 and therefore he resigned his office of the Preliminary Committeeman.

The names of the Representatives have been arranged by alphabetical order.

The sign "*" indicates the Drafting Committeeman of the Regulations.

The sign "X" indicates the person in charge of liaison of the Preliminary Committee.

Regarding those concerned with the Butoku Kai their relations with it have been given, but none of them has not been involved in the scope of the purge (sic). However, shimon (sic) ADACHI is said to have remarked, "If any trouble is given to the League because of the personal question I will resign my office of the Preliminary Committeeman." Further, no one connected with any dissolved organization can be recognized.

1. Judo is one of the physical training arts in Japan transmitted from ancient times. In Judo we find scores of different schools which have been developed complicating themselves from generation to generation and constantly stimulating or obstructing with one another. In the wartime, however, beginning with the former Butoku Kai (established in 1895), all the Judo-halls managed by individuals were unified to the Judo Department of Dai Nippon Butoku Kai (in September, 1942). (Refer to note at end of this paragraph.) Hereupon, all Japan’s regular organization of Judo circles has been formed. The new Butoku Kai under the official system of organization was dissolved by the Home Ministry Ordinance No. 45 dated November 9, 1946, leaving the Judo circles without their unified system and the personal groups of Judo lovers scattered in various parts of Japan.


Note (in original)

Kodo Kan (which was established in 1882) was ordered in September, 1942, by the Tojo Cabinet to be involved in Dai Nippon Butoku Kai. Opposing to the involution and on the promised condition that it would take its original position, (that is, a pure sport organization), Kodo Kan was taken into part of the Judo Department of the new Butoku Kai.

2. As the peaceful order has afterwards been restored, the enthusiasm for Judo has gradually risen among the people in all parts of Japan, and today in various countries of Europe and America the number of Judo-lovers is gradually increasing. This enthusiasm for Judo naturally produced among the people has now taken the form of the demand through every area and every occupation, it seems, for the establishment of a liaison organ of Judo circles throughout Japan, attaining the situation to have the organization of All Japan Judo League.
3. Particularly the direct important cause of it is probably the demand for the classification of the Judo "Grade" in all Japan’s unified system. In other words, regarding the classification of the Judo grade, it is now chiefly made by Kodo Kan for the Judo-lovers all over Japan. However, it is said that since last March the classification of the Judo grade has been made in the Kansai district on a different standard from that of Kodo Kan by Nippon Judo Shingi Kai which is regarded as in the former Butoku Kai line. Thus we can notice the disordered state within the same Judo circles…
4. All Japan Judo League is going to be prepared for the establishment with its original purpose of planning the harmonious union and development of the Judo circles… In this respect, it is considered that it does not conflict with the purport of the Imperial Ordinance No. 101 at all…

Investigators in Charge: Secretary Higuchi, Secretary Kuratani.
 
 

FOR: Major Jack P. Napier, Government Section, G.H.Q.

FROM: Director Mitsusada Yoshikawa of Special Examining Bureau, Attorney-General’s Office.

With reference to the subject we have made investigations at your recent request. We have hereby the honour of submitting to you the following report.

Account.

1. Date of formation: November 1st 1946.
2. Location of the office: No. 146, Nishi-Okikubo 3-chome, Suginami Word (sic), Tokyo Metropolis. Marunouchi Building, Marunouchi 2-chome, Chiyoda Word (sic), Tokyo Metropolis.
3. Purpose:


We aim to contribute to the improvement of the people’s physique and the cultivation of their personality and virtue by the spread and promotion of Archery and at the same time to contribute to the mutual friendship of the members and to the dvelopement (sic) of international friendship and social culture of our own free will…

4. Works: (Omitted)
5. Officers:

Official Title	Name	Career	Relations with Butoku Kai	Principle duties
President	Minoru HIGUCHI	President of Mitsubishi Real Estate Company, Ltd.
Standing Director	Goro MURAI	President of League of Archery of Kanagawa Prefecture.		Taking charge of the works
"	Kunisaku SHIMURA	Hospital Director. President of League of Archery of Ibaragi Prefecture.
"	Raku TAKAGI	Hospital Director. President of League of Archery of Saitama Prefecture.	Director of Archery department of Saitama Branch.
"	Ryohei SEKIGUCHI	Dentist.		Taking Charge of Accounting business.
"	Zenji OHIRA	President of Okura Fire-arms Company, Ltd. Director of Japan Archery Association.		Taking Charge of the Report.
"	Sadao MAEDA	Former Director of Commercial firm.	Manager of meeting Orchery (sic) Department.
"	Toshio WATANABE	Dentist. Member of Shimizu Municipal Assembly.		Taking Charge of inspecting business.
"	Kichitaro TSUCHIYA	Clerk of a commercial firm.	Manager of meeting of Archery Department.
"	Takeo KAJITANI	Lawyer		Taking Charger (sic) of mescelleneous (sic) business.
"	Takashi MORI	Hospital Director. President of League of Archery of All Hokkaido.
"	Masao TSUNODA	Brewer. President of League of Archery of Miyagi Prefecture.
"	Heijiro YASUZAWA	Director of Commercial firm. President of League of Archery of Yamagata Prefecture.	Director of Archery department of Yamagata Prefecture.
"	Tokutaro TAKATSUKA	Stationer
"	Yoshiyasu YOSHIDA	Accountant
"	Jiro KONO	Author
"	Tatsunosuke KAWAGUCHI	President of Union of Glaziers	Manager of meeting of Archery Department.
"	Chuzo ANDO	Director of a commercial firm.
"	Yoshio HAMADA	Teacher of Police Bureau of Imperial Household.	Manager of meeting of Archery Department.
"	Haruji MORIOKA	Dentist
"	Katsumi OKAMOTO	Director of a commercial firm. President of League of Archery of Hiroshima Prefecture.
"	Tetsusuke ISSHISAI	Hospital Director. President of League of archery of Ehime Prefecture.
"	Senzo URATA	Lawyer	Manager of meeting of Archery Department.
"	Iwao IWANAGA	Director of a commercial firm.


 
6. On December 19th 1948 Yozaburo UNO, (former Vice-President of Dai Nippon Butoku Kai) resigned his post of President, and Vice-President Minoru HIGUCHI was elected to the post of President.
7. Among the foregoing officers seven staff members of archery Department of Butoku Kai are taking up their positions. Consequently, we have advised the League authorities that, though it is not conflict unit Article 4 of the Imperial Ordinance from the legal interpretation yet these officers should be rejicted (sic).
8. Regarding the League affairs they are actually managed chiefly by the Director’s of the meeting, and according to the resolutions of the meeting, the Business directors are undertaking the responsibilities of the executions respectivily (sic).
9. The present central figure for the arrangement of business is Fumio KAJITANI who takes charge of miscellaneous business.
10. Number of the Branch and members.


This League is the Combined body formed by the local Leagues of Archery gathered together with the Metropolis, the District, the Urban or Rural Prefecture as its unit.

The number of the Leagues of Archery of the Metropolis, the District and the Urban and Rural Prefectures which are taking part in this League is thirty-seven organizations. The number of members is approximately 4.372 who are the members of the foregoing participated local Leagues.

11. Purport of formation:


The Motto of this League shall be "Sport Archery". "In the archery performed in modern age fair and broad-minded spirit with the lively health should be cherished by confirming to the independent character of peusonality (sic) in archery and standing on the courtesy and faith". From that view-point, this League has been formed by the local Leagues of archery have gathered together under the proposal of the League of Archeay (sic) of Tokyo Metoropolis (sic) in response to the desire of the archery lovers throught (sic) the country. The purpose of this League shall chiefly be the organ of liaison and friendship, and also to use its good offices for the auspices of the arching competitions, both all Japanese and the international as well as those mutually held in the district Leagues and in farticular (sic) areas.

12. Condition of present activities:


At the time of the first great meeting of all Japan held at Kashiwabara Archery Department is (sic) May 1947, we had the congraturatory (sic) words from the Phyisical (sic) Culture Official Mr. Graham. In the Second Great meeting of Japan Physical culture is desired. Accordingly, obtaining the approval of Japan Physical culture (sic) Association (Nippon Taiiku Kokai), this League participated in the archery competition as the special member of the program in the Great meeting of the Third National Physical Culture.

Then, in order to take part formally in the Fourth Great meeting of the National Physical Culture for this year, the Councillors’ meeting was held on December 19th last year and decided to take the step of entering Japan Physical Culture Association. Further, the system of the examination in technique of archery was established, and the Classifications and titles through the examinations was authorized.

For the report of League affairs and the mutual liaison of members "the Kyuren Kaiho" was first published in October 1947, and number eight of it has been issued until now.. (sic) For two years after its formation Yozaburo UNO had undertaken the responsibility of President. He is an amateur archer who has the career of former Chief Judge of the supreme Court. On December 19th when the policy for the participation in Japan Physical Culture Association was decided, he voluntarily resigned in Comideration (sic) of his relations with Dai Nippon Butoku Kai, in which he had taken up the positions of Director and Director of Archery Department...

13. Our opinion:

As a result we have been able to discover, as stated above, some linking in respect to the personnel relations. In the glorious days of Dai Nippon Butoku Kai every lover of archery was peaced (sic) under the circumstances of beeing (sic) swallowed up into Butoku Kai in some form or other. Therefor (sic) all the lovers of archery in the former days were given the names of the officers and duties on the technical side only.

They are all considered to have nothing to do with the side of Butoku Kai in political relations. And regarding to the property and ideology of this League, it did not succeed any of them from Dai Nippon Butoku Kai. That was brought to light by the investigations of the Account-Book, the Regulations and the Article of Association. (The awarding of titles is one of the customs which have been performed by this sort of sport organizations and taste or amusement organizations from old days, and it is not particularly performed by Butoku Kai only).

Yet, in the present phase, amont (sic) the principal officers of this League there are involved many who have been the principal officers of the organizations dissolved in accordance with the Ministry Ordinance. In this respect, it is needless to say that it is necessary for them to exercise self-discipline in the light of the Memorandum dated January 4th 1946 even if it does not become the direct object of Article 4 of the Imperial Ordinance No. 101. But, according to the advice of this Bureau, this League is going newly starting as an organization carrying through the spirit of democratic pure sport by solving its niternal (sic) questions with its own hands, for example, in the new organization such persons concerned with former Butoku Kai should be rejected from the principal officers.

As this Bureau, by linking with Physical Culture Promotion Section of Educational Ministry, attention shall be paid to it by guiding and advising it continually relating to the system and officers of it as a healthy and bright organization so as not to be regarded as an organization succeeding to Dai Nippon Butoku Kai in its form and action.

/S/ M. Yoshikawa

Investigator: Secretary; HIGUCHI

(Editor’s note: In the margin, there is a pencil note: "recommend approval.")
 
 

Article 1. The Union is called All-Japan Judo Union.

Article 2. The Head Office of the Union is located in the Tokyo Metropolis.
 
 

Article 3. The object of the Union is the propagation and development of Judo and the intimacy and rapprochement of the members of the Judo circle.

Article 4. For the realization of the above-mentioned object, the Union shall be occupied with the following works:

1. The arrangement and backing for the general meetings of Judo match, etc.
2. The arrangement and backing for the lectural or demonstrative meetings of Judo.
3. Investigation and study of Judo.
4. Examination of Grades and Classes
5. Training of the instructors and the examination for their qualifications.
6. Assistance and contribution of the materials and equipments.
7. Drawing of the rules for match and/or judgment.
8. Issue of publications.
9. Besides those above-mentioned, some works to be considered imminent.

Article 5. The Union is composed of the democratic Judo Groups autonominally participated by the members of all localities, occupations and posts of all over Japan.

Article 6. The Judo Groups above-mentioned should participate in the Prefectural Union with the members of the locality and the Prefectural Unions should compose the local Unions by the division of geographical areas. The Local Unions are to be divided geographically in 10: Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Tokyo, Shin-etsu, Tokai, Kinki, Chugoku, Shikoku and Kyushu.

Article 7. To join or leave the Union, the approbation of the Board of Directors is needed.

Article 8. Groups and Unions mentioned in Articles 5 and 6 should present to the Directors’ Meeting the detail of the organization and the names of members, and get the approbation of the President after the deliberation of the Meeting.

(Editor’s note: Ten additional articles omitted.)
 
 

1. May 1946. All Physical Education Prefectural Officials Conference was held and Shimane prefecture representative made a proposal asking Education Ministry to permit Judo in school.
2. 4 August 1946. A petition for Judo and Kendo revival in school from 3590 members of former Judo or Kendo Units of the Second Higher and 29 other Higher schools.
3. 15 August 1946. Proposal No. 79 made by Mr. Tahara and 149 diet members to the House of Representatives. (PENCIL NOTE: No translation.)
4. 23 November 1946. All Japan Normal School and Youth Normal School Athletic Meets were held on 23 November 1946, and the representatives of those schools participating in the event passed a resolution to submit a petition for revival of Judo, with signatures of 4120 students of 55 Normal Schools and 2161 students of 46 Youth Normal Schools.
5. 23 November 1946. About forty of those who participated in the First Physical Education Training Course for alumni of Tokyo Higher Normal School and who had qualification and experience in teaching Judo appeal to have Judo back again in schools.
6. 1946 (PENCIL NOTE: 13 Aug. 1948.) A petition for Judo revival from former members of the Judo Unit of 11 universities and 19 colleges.
7. 24 December 1948. A petition for reinstatement of Judo from Mr. K. Ushida, President of Keio University and Mr. S. Ishimaru, Director of the Keio University Athletic Club, with signatures of over 5000 students and faculty members of the university.
8. 29 December 1948. A petition from Keio students who love Judo asking for permission to use Judo facilities on campus.
9. 20 January 1949. A petition for permission to practice Judo on campus [.] Signatures of 6000 people were collected by Meiji and Chuo University representatives.
10. 9 November 1949. A petition requesting restoration of Kyudo and Judo in schools of Japan addressed to Ministry of Education and signed by the trustees of the National Kyudo Association and Japan Judo Association.

1. Judo and Kendo are healthy indoor sports which has (sic) been enjoyed by Japanese people since the early days.
2. Judo and Kendo give the players plenty of activity during a very short period, hence they are very convenient for students.
3. Japan has many rainy days, and also the northern part of the country has a long snowy winter when no outdoor exercises can be exercised. Japan, therefore needs good indoor sports such as Kendo and Judo.
4. Judo requires very little equipment and facilities.
5. Judo is a very suitable sport for the physical constitution of Japanese people.
6. If Kyudo, Kendo and Judo can be permitted for community people, why not for students?
7. The Budo sports were misused by militaristic and ultra-nationalistic people during the war. It does not mean that they are militaristic.
8. Judo can be enjoyed by old people as well as young. It is the most typical Japanese traditional sport.
9. Judo and Kendo do not require teams of four or five. They have the advantages of individual sports.
10. Participation in Kyudo is not limited to the strong only. Bows can be adjusted to suit the physical strength of the Archery (sic).
11. Kyudo can be enjoyed by all people old and young, men and women.
12. Kyudo equipment has the advantage of long wear and with mass production the cost of the equipment could be reduced even more.
13. A high degree of coordination between body and mind is required for good performance in the Budo sports.

Dear Sir,

The All-Japan Judo Union was established on May 6 democratically by the will of all Judomen in Japan. We members of the Union do our best at present for the healthy development of our peaceful Sport Judo.

We heard these days of the fact that our Minister of Education presented to you a document requesting your approval about the School Judo. We wait so eagerly your approval of the restoration in our schools.

Here we present our solicitation with the eagerness of all members of the Union.

Hoping you should help us by your prompt approval about this matter,

I remain, Yours very faithfully,

/S/ Risei KANO. President of the All-Japan Judo Union.
 
 

Mr. Ogiri Yoshiye, 24 years old, a second year student of the Nippon University Law Department brought legal action to the Kenda Police station against Iwasa Junichi and Tsuchiya Yosiyuki, both second year students of the Law Department (Nippon University) on the 7th instant for injuries sustained. The Police Station started an investigation by summoning the persons involved.

According to the investigation conducted by the Police Station, Mr. Ogiri was asked, "Are you a member of the Karate Department?" by the two members of the Department who discovered that he wore a Karate member’s buckle.

Ogiri answered, "I have been a member of the Karate Department since my Preparatory Course days, but I have not practiced it lately." Thereupon, he was taken to the Karate Practice Room, where he was surrounded by umpteen members of the Karate Department all clad in the Karate garment.

Quizzed, "How can a non-member of the Karate Department wear a buckle?", he was scolded, struck and kicked for about half an hour, receiving an injury recovery from which would take a couple of weeks.

Mr. Takanoshi, Chief of the Students’ Section of Nippon University said, "Judging from the atmosphere prevailing at a conference held on the day of this unfortunate occurrence, it seemed as if it would be settled as a family affair. Since a legal action, however, was taken, it must be referred to the teachers, who will dispose of the case as their intelligence and good sense dictate them. The Karate Department is an association of Karate fans, not officially recognized by the school.
 
 

FROM: Liaison & Investigation Branch

SUBJECT: Report of Brawl at Nippon University

1. At request of Physical Education Consultant, investigation of reported brawl at Nippon University was made. Brawl involved students of the Karate Club. Three universities were visited in course of investigation in order to ascertain also whether Karate clubs existed in schools other than the one in question. Karate is banned as a military art.

2. Physical Education Consultant was in error in believing brawl to have been at Chuo University. There is a Karate club there, however. It has no faculty sponsor but is on the school premises. Meiji University likewise has a Karate club on the school premises but without faculty advisor.

3. The Karate club at Nippon University has a faculty advisor, Mr. KATO. Student teachers are YAMASHITA and HAYASHI. The entire club has a membership of approximately thirty students. A demonstration of the techniques of Karate was given. It closely resembles what was called in the U.S. Army, "dirty fighting."

4. Mr. HAYASHI, vice president of the club, gave the following information regarding the difficulty at the school. Members of the club wear a distinctive belt buckle and a cap badge. When a member leaves the club, he is supposed to turn these in. The particular student in question joined for a few days, then resigned, but neglected to turn in the buckle and badge. In fact, he displayed both with abandon. The club members called him in to talk to him, apparently the discussion became heated. One or two members thereupon proceeded to work him over. It was explained that only the flat of the hand was used because the fist is too dangerous. Experts in Karate must be very careful or they may cause serious damage unintentionally. The former member was hurt about the face, which is a part very easily bruised, according to HAYASHI, but not as seriously as newspaper reports said. The former member will be all right in much less than the two weeks noted in the newspapers. Mr. HAYASHI stated that the president and he had expressed their regrets to Mr. KATO, who told them that force is not the way to solve problems. Apparently the boys were somewhat worried because Karate might fall under further suspicion since it is already suspect as a military art.

5. It was noted that Mr. KATO is advisor in name only. He is too busy to take any active part in supervising the club, according to the boys. All such clubs seem to function without any real controls except those required by the clubs themselves.

/S/ J. B. Gibson
 
 

FROM: Director Mitsusada YOSHIKAWA of Special Examining Bureau, Attorney-General’s Office.

TO: Major Jack P. Napier, Government Section, G.H.Q.

With reference to the subject organization, we previously informed you by report No. 3-23 dated July 8. This time we submit the additional report to you as the preceding paper included some incomplete points.

1. System:


This club, of which the superintendent is Kanematsu KATAISHI, former member of Butoku Kai and a swordsman of the sixth grade, is composed of 56 members including three women and 25 members out of 56 members are former members of Butoku Kai.

2. Activities:


(1). As reported previously [July 1949] this club throws fencing open to the public once a month at the request of the Occupation Forces.

(2). The training of fencing is held by the Club at the Airinkan Hall in preparation for the above open fencing match. The number of those who engage in the training every time is below ten.

(3). It is likely that this club has an intention to continue the usual open fencing match hereafter, if requested by the Occupation Forces.

(4). As already reported, the All Hokkaido Fencing and Halberd Tournament was suspended for a time. Nevertheless the members of the Club are engaging themselves in the training of fencing and halberd, making use of their leisure and believing that the permission of reopening it will be given by the Occupation Forces in the near future.

3. Whether or not this Club has an inclination to preserve militaristic training:

FROM: Liaison & Investigation

SUBJECT: Alleged Judo Activities at Chuo University

1. An on-the-spot investigation at Chuo University, in conformity with the allegation contained in the attached anonymous letter revealed that the students are engaged in the practice of judo in the basement of the Administration building. This was evidenced by a well-constructed matted floor, and the presence of judo uniform equipment hanging from the surrounding walls.

2. To this inquiry Mr. ASAKAWA, Nobuo, Chief of the Administrative Department of the University, stated: "The university authorities had allocated the area for the practice of judo; however, it was not subsidized by the university nor did they provide an instructor for the practice of this art."

3. Mr. KATO, Masaharu, President of Chuo University, stated: "If this is in violation of existing regulations, we will take the necessary measures to eliminate this activity."

4. Hatsu Tai No. 100, dated 26 December 1945, from the Chief of Physical Education Bureau, Ministry of Education, addressed to all the prefectural governors and presidents of government schools, prohibited "Budo practices, including Judo and Kendo, to be performed in the schools, or in establishments belonging to the schools. Budo equipment was not to be kept in the school and Budo rooms to be reconverted into physical education halls." Hatsu Tai 100 was written in response to SCAPIN 178, 22 October 45, which prohibited all military education and drill.

5. It is recommended by this office that the content of this communication be submitted to the Physical Education Bureau, M/Ed, for action.

/S/ W. O. SHURTLIFF, Capt. Inf.
 
 

The writer, studying at Chuo University, reports that students are practicing judo in the basement of a university building during the noon hour. He requests that proper measures be taken to stop this if the art of judo is prohibited in schools by order of the Occupation authorities.
 
 

FROM: Chief, Education Division [Arthur K. Loomis]

SUBJECT: Reinstatement of Budo Sports

1. The attached memorandum and tabs dealing with the problem of whether Budo sports should be reinstated as physical activities in schools and universities of Japan is submitted with recognition that it is not in proper form as a staff study. It may be, however, in satisfactory form for use only within the Section as a basis for following the procedure outlined below:

1. Instruction and practice of Judo, Kendo, Kyudo, Naginata, and Karate have been forbidden in the schools and universities of Japan during the past four years. Efforts have been made by official (sic) and members of the organizations sponsoring and promoting these sports in Japan to:

1. Eliminate symbolic ceremonies which detracted and interfered with the activity as a sport.
2. Change rules and regulations governing the sport to meet the standards of a so called pure sport activity with emphasis on good sportsmanship.
3. Separate sports from military activities in the minds of the sports participants and the general public through various means in education and public press. The extent of results accomplished in attaining point "c" is difficult to estimate. It may be assumed that this has been accomplished in part but considerable time possibly 10 to 15 year (sic) would be necessary to achieve relatively complete separation.

1. Both secondary school and university students have been and are participating in these sports to varying degrees in clubs and other organizations promoting these sports.
2. These sports as such are no more militaristic than similar ones which are part of the sports and physical education program of schools and universities in the United States. A comparison shows that wrestling and judo, archery and kyudo, and fencing (sabre in particular) and kendo are very similar in skills and in competitive pattern.
3. Participation and competition in kyudo was discouraged during the war by the military as not contributing sufficiently to physical fitness and preparation for combat.

4. One of the objectives of CIE in the reorganization guidance and supervision of the physical education program in Japan has been to encourage team sports which have sound educational values. This has been accomplished to quite an extent and the discontinuance of budo sports has aided the attainment of this objective greatly. It is not lack of acceptance of these sports by the Japanese educators but lack of equipment, sports areas and gymnasiums which block further progress in the promotion of these activities.

5. Even though it may be considered that the military and ultra-nationalistic influences have been effectively eliminated from the budo sports then inclusion as part of the sports and physical education program of the schools and universities must be carefully considered in the light of educational values which each of these sports has to offer.

1. Kendo is not a good sport for schools because the necessary equipment is expensive and injury incidents are relatively high.
2. Karate is not a sport in the real sense. It resembles hand-to-hand combat in many respects and is designed as a defense against enemies. It is practical for development of good form but does not permit competition without danger of serious injuries.
3. Naginata is combat with a long handled sword and is a so-called women’s sport. There seems to be little to recommend it for the educational program.
4. Judo is practiced by many members of the occupation forces and seems to be their favorite of the Japanese sports. It is similar to wrestling and has about the same points to recommend it for the school physical education and sports programs.
5. Kyudo is an activity which can be enjoyed by boys and girls of all ages. It may also well be used as sport for the physically handicapped. There is very little danger of injury.

1. It seems advisable and opportune to modify the strict regulations forbidding instruction and participation of budo sports in schools and universities to the extent to which they are justifyable (sic) educationally.

2. Therefore it is recommended that Directive No. 74 be interpreted as permitting inclusion of some of these sports within limitations as outlined below.

1. Judo be permitted in the upper secondary schools and universities in both the physical education program and extracurricular activities.
2. Kyudo be permitted at all school levels and in the universities in the required physical education program and also in the extracurricular activities.
3. Kendo be permitted as an intramural and intercollegiate sports activity in the universities.
4. Karate and Naginata not be included as part of the physical education or extracurricular sports activities in the schools or universities.

1. No schools or universities shall be required to include any of these sports now permitted in either the physical education or extracurricular program.
2. Careful consideration should be given to the (selection of capable instructors for) prevention of injuries in the sports now permitted in the schools.
3. Weight and possibly height and age of students should be considered in determining classification in judo competition.

Sir: --

This is to submit a statement explaining about "Pliant Staff Play" and earnestly request your kind approval to join the coming National Athletic Contest.

Your early response and kind guidance will be greatly appreciated by us.

Sincerely yours,

/S/ Junzo Sasamori, Representative of the Pliant Staff Play Club, Tokyo

(Editor’s note: The entire document is written in Sasamori’s own hand.) [EN4]
 
 

Pliant Staff Play is a good sport which displays excellent features among the recently flourished physical culture in this country.

There are many different kinds of sports: some of them play on land or water, or on playground or in gymnasium in large number of participant or few. Some of them are introduced from the foreign countries and some others are originated in this country. All of them have special characteristics, but they have merits and demerits.

Pliant Staff Play has many advantages; that will be able to play irrespective of climate, weather, age, sex, physique, place, in or out of building or length of time.

This is a rationalistic healthy physical culture and interesting elegant amusement of ever changing active personal adversary play.

Pliant Staff Play is not "Kendo" nor "Occidental Fencing."
 
 

1. This sport is called as "Pliant Staff Play."
2. This sport uses a pliant staff, wearing uniform and outfit.
3. Pliant Staff is a light cylindrical supple staff, made of splited (sic) bamboo or straw bundle, partly covered with leather or rubber.
4. Matches will be conducted within a restricted marked space.
5. Time restrictions instituted.
6. Scoring system adopted.
7. Unnecessary and seemingly intimidating vocal exclamations in match prohibited.
8. Unnecessary roughness or use of purposed violence prohibited.
9. Infringement of the regulations is enforced by the imposition of penalties.
10. In the interests of personal pleasure for contests as well as for spectators, many devices of sponsoring methods and athletic facilities are made.
11. The judge system is rationalized.
12. Athletic organization democratically organized and administered.

1. Meritorious Qualities

1. Physical Qualities: Viewing from the standpoint of physical development, it calls for much leg movement of considerable tempo, contraction and expansion of the breast, and varied use of the arm muscles, all which is extremely effective in developing the lungs and the chest, at the same time helping to build a strong heart, not to speak of its contribution to muscular development of the limbs.
2. Mental Training: Accomplishment in this sport is more dependent upon the psychological reaction and power of concentration of the individual rather than upon the physical differences of the participants. The exercise develops powers of concentration and decision and trains the mind to react without hesitation. It inculculates (sic) the ability to change perception into action instantaneously.
3. Qualities Favorable to Health: Although it calls for a considerable amount of instantaneous bodily movement, such movement are not necessarily continuous, there being frequent natural intermittances of action which, therefore, makes it a sport with the following favorable health qualities. Both sexes of all ages, from about eight years old to about eighty years of age, can engage in the sport.

FROM: Ministry of Education, Tokyo

TO: General of the Army Douglas MacArthur

Your Excellency,

Immediately after the termination of the war, the Education Ministry, for the purpose of eliminating all the militaristic color from education, banned judo and certain other sports from school physical education program. Since that time, judo has not been used in school physical education program. However, the Education Ministry has made various studies about this sport and has found that the present judo is a real democratic sport in its true sense, and that the present judo association is democratically organized, and administered and is making a wholesome growth. There no longer exists any possibility of present judo being associated with militaristic idea of the past. Therefore, we have come to conclusion that it will be appropriate to include the present judo as an activity in school physical education program.

At present when lovers of judo are increasing among occupation personnel, we feel the nature of the present judo is, to some extent, known to your office. The study concerning the educational values of the present judo and other pertinent materials were submitted to CIE in July 1949.

We beg your permission to mention here some of the changes which have been made in the present judo.
 
 

Judo contributes much to the attainment of the objectives of school physical education, namely, physical development, mental development, cultivation of social attitude, development of understanding, attitude and technique concerning safety and recreation, and its educational value is very high.
 
 

1. Weight classification is used in matches, as well as age and rank classifications.
2. The sport has come to be enjoyed as sport and with very little ceremony.
3. Outdoor mass training which was often conducted as a part of military drill during war was completely eliminated.
4. Such techniques as the "body-attack", or the "joint-attack" etc. have been eliminated because of their possible risks.

1. In order to avoid any mistake in judgment, two auxiliary referees are assigned beside the major referee, and the decision is passed after the agreement of the three.
2. When the result of the competition is difficult to decide, technical skills, attitude and weight of the contestants are used as basis for the decision of victory.

1. The interest of the general public in judo has increased and is manifested in greater crowd to come to see judo matches.
2. The increase of women among the spectators is very noticeable.
3. The general atmosphere among the spectators is very bright and cheerful.

1. As the present contesters (sic) are not slaves to victory at tournaments as they formerly were, games and tournaments now assume brighter atmosphere.
2. Efforts have been exerted to improve facilities for games and publicity methods to offer better opportunities for the spectators.
3. No ceremonies are required to either participants or spectators.

1. A democratic association has been organized by those who love judo.
2. The election of officers and other administrative procedures of the association are conducted in very democratic way.
3. All Japan Judo Association has recently been affiliated with Japan Amateur Athletic Association.

We feel that time has come for inclusion of judo in its present form into school physical education program. We cordially request your consideration about this matter and ask for permission for reinstatement of judo into school physical education program.

Sincerely Yours,

/S/ Sotaro Takase, Minister of Education
 
 

FROM: General Headquarters, Supreme Commander for the Allied Forces

SUBJECT: Reinstatement of School Judo

1. Reference letter Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chief of Liaison Section, FOM No. 946 (EM), dated 183 May 1950, subject: "Application for Restoration of School Judo."

2. No objection is offered to the reinstatement of Judo in the physical education and sports activities of all educational institutions, as defined in the letter from the Minister of Education, dated 12 May 1950, entitled "Request for Restoration of School Judo."

FOR THE SUPREME COMMANDER:

/s/ K. B. Bush, Brigadier General, USA, Adjutant General

We, the undersigned students representing various colleges and universities in Tokyo take the liberty of submitting for your consideration our petition for the reinstatement of Kendo as an elective scholastic sport.

Kendo during the war had its entire structure changed in conformance to the expressed demands of the government and military ultra-nationalists. Although this fact was in direct contradiction to the wishes of we lovers of the sport, it presented the outward appearance of being a militaristic exercise and subsequently after the termination of the war, the Education Ministry was pressed to banish Kendo from the schools. The abovementioned fact was indeed of the greatest regret as well as a surprise to we Kendo enthusiasts…

Although scholastically prohibited Kendo has been permitted to be practised in outside Kendo halls as a social sport, we students who have practised it for the pure pleasure of it since we were young boys still retain confidence and pride in our skill which we have attained during the years and we desire to make outward expression of our skill and put our prowess to test in a pleasurable competition with other students of other schools…

The reason we love Kendo is simply because we love sports and competition and as every individual has his own particular taste and interest we follow Kendo for the simple enjoyment of it.

And again during the war Kendo suffered much abuse at the hands of the military instructors attached to the various schools who denounced it as impracticable and was ridiculed as being "child’s play" or the mere dancing with bamboo sticks. There were also many instances where Kendo was thrown completely out of the athletic program and was replaced by the more ‘practicable’ bayonet and target practises and finally through duress of the military we were forced to change the entire structure of the game. During this period the Student’s Kendo Federation was also forced to disband and has remained so to this day.

As we have just mentioned, we students do not believe that scholastically practised Kendo was ever militaristic or warlike in its true nature; on the contrary we firmly believe that it has always been a wholesome and peaceful sport. It goes without saying that combat style Kendo formulated by the Army and Navy should be thrown out. On the other hand it is of the deepest regret to us that our Kendo had gone through such a process to become banished from the schools. Even though pre-war Kendo was abused by the militarists, the fact that it was utilized by them may have been because of the deficiencies embodied within it. We shall endeavor to correct these deficiencies in order to rebuild a new Kendo worthy of a peace loving Japan.

The above is the substance of our ardent desire to have Kendo restored so that we may again seek enjoyment as well as develop ourselves physically and mentally in the pursuit of the sport of our liking.

Even though the signatures in this petition may only cover a part of the colleges located in and around Tokyo, they are the frank expressions of students who love the sport and we shall feel deeply obliged if you would give primary consideration to this petition.

Respectfully submitted.

To: Minister of Education, Sotaro Takano

1. Though everybody admits that the Zen Nippon Kyudo Remmei (All Japan Federation of Archery), which was established after the termination of the War, has rendered services to the cause at the transitional period after the War, it was dissolved in January this year after the due deliberation and decision through the demands and social idea of the times. Then, after four months reconsiderations and examinations, the Nippon Kyudo Remmei was newly organized in May 1949 as a cooperative organization of local Kyudo bodies.
2. This Nippon Kyudo Remmei declared its intention of starting as an amateur sport at its inauguration, taking up the democratic organization and administration and the progressive measures, and abolishing the old feudalistic tendency in which people are apt to fall. It started under the guidance and support of the Physical Education Bureau, Ministry of Education and at the same time it joined the Foundational Nippon Taiiku Kyokai.
3. During these six months since then, the principle of this Remmei is gradually being diffused into local Kyudo bodies and each of these bodies are getting rid of the old bad manner and making reforms, so that the organization and personal reforms may be made and its administration may be greatly democratized… Therefore, there is not the least tendency of centralization. But it is serving as the local Kyudo Remmei worthy of the cooperative organization and at the same time making effort to disseminate the principle.
4. As for the establishment of Kyudo as a amateur sport, the character and administration of the Remmei was recognized by the Nippon Taiiku Kyokai (Japan Physical Education Association) and it participated in the 4th Kokumin Taiiku Taikai (4th Grand Meet of National Physical Education). Through this Grand Meet, it is believed, the aim is now almost attained up to expectations.


Kyudo, which was suppressed by the army and others during the War on the ground of not being a warlike sport, was suspended from the students after the War on the ground of its being the sport of military arts. The general amateurs also decreased. However, the effort to abolish the nationalist and mystic idea and to revive as a true amateur sport unexpectedly aroused sympathy of the whole country, and in a few months, it was materialized markedly. For instance, to the Kyudo event at the 4th Kokumin Taiiku Taikai, as many as thirty-five prefectures sent their men’s teams exclusively…

Women’s Kyudo was already on the extreme decline during the War and its revival was feared. But, responding to the local demand, for the first time after the War, the women’s Kyudo was added to the Meet as an event, and unexpected number of teams participated in it.

The players amounted to 185, exceeding the limit (128) by far. This, together with the above fact, shows how amateurs are earnest in Kyudo’s revival and promotion as a sound sport for amateurs. Moreover, though the event was the inter-prefecural (sic) play, there was no abstention nor disqualification. All players, committee-men and spectators were in perfect harmony. The players were not particular about victory or defeat, and there was not a single miss in sports and management. It is considered that all these were the results of the ardent endevour (sic) and cooperation of all amateurs….

5. Then, as for the players (sic) attire, very few people dressed in Japanese style, while others dressed in uniforms or plain foreign clothes. All enjoyed sports without being particular about old form and manners. This was a remarkable progress that the games went on so smoothly.

Members of Nippon Kyudo Remmei

Chairman: Minoru Higuchi

Vice-Chairman: Kunisaku Shimura

"" Katsumi Takeuchi

Trustee: Ryohei Sekiguchi

"" Goro Murai, graduate of Waseda University

"" Zenji Odaira, graduate of Keio University.

"" Takeo Kejiya, graduate of Tokyo University

"" Hisashi Murakami, graduate of Waseda University

"" Takeshi Kurushima, graguate (sic) of Keio University

"" Chuzo Ando

"" Kiyoshi Fukushima, graguate (sic) of Meiji University

"" Nakugoro (?) Hattanda, graduage (sic) of Nippon University

"" Toshiaki Miyasaka, graduate of Tokyo University

Vice-chairman of Tokyo Metoropolitan (sic) Kyudo Remmei: Taashige Koyama, graduate of Keio University.
 
 

ENDNOTES

EN1. According to "Outline of the Butokukai (Martial Virtues Society) and its relation to the Purge," submitted by Koizumi, 21 Feb 1947, there were about "5000 martial arts instructors at the time of the abolition of martial arts education," 800 of whom were graduates of Butokukai technical colleges.

EN2. According to Benjamin Hazard (2002), who was training with the Tokyo police kendo instructor during this era, "The Tokyo police in attempting to control the disorder that accompanied the Communist May Day demonstrations, May 1, 1949, used the jô (staff) for crowd control. The GHQ provost marshal (Beigun Sôshireibu Kempeitai-chô) had seen that some of the Communists had been able to seize some of the staffs and were beating the police with them. The provost marshal was able to have orders issued prohibiting kendo training for all the police. Kendo was reinstated later in that year, but when practice resumed, those elements in kendo which were clearly associated with a real sword, such as the slicing movement after the cut, [were missing], nor were blows delivered with as much strength as they had been prior to the ban."

EN3. According to the July 1949 memo cited here, Airin Kan was a crèche in Sapporo whose name translated as Neighbor Loving Hall. Its date of formation was October 1947, and its official name was Sapporo Kendo Kurabu, or Sapporo Japanese Fencing Club. The chief instructor was Kanematsu Kataishi. Yuso Ito, the local head of an insurance company, provided financial patronage. The club performed demonstrations for Occupation forces, especially at the hospitals at Chitose and Makoma. "Our opinion," wrote chief investigator M. Yoshikawa, was, "This is a club in which general people who are interested in Japanese fencing are mutually practicing it at their own free accord. It is not regarded at present as the quasi-military training beyond the scope of sports (exercise and match) and is considered that it may be all right to allow its continuance."

EN4. The Zen Nippon Kendo Kyogi Remmei (All Japan Kendo Federation) was established on March 5, 1950. This organization’s name was subsequently changed to Zen Nippon Shinai Kyogi Remmei (All Japan Pliant Competition Federation). In October 1952, a separate Zen Nippon Kendo Remmei was organized, and in March 1954, the Zen Nippon Shinai Kyogi Remmei merged with it, thus ending "Pliant Competition."