The Images of Elderly Kendo Practitioners among Junior High School Students and The Influence by The Inter- Exchange Through Kendo

Assessed by The Semantic Differential Method and Cross- Sectional Analysis

Abstract

Kendo is one of the traditional Japanese martial arts. In this study, we examined the image of the elderly and related factors that intergenerational exchange through kendo brings to junior high school members. This study targeted junior high school kendo club members who have training experience with elderly kendo practitioners. The subjects were 193 players who practiced with the elderly kendo practitioners in Osaka prefecture. Logistic regression analysis were used to clarify the factors related to the high/low scores in the image of elderly kendo practitioners. As a result, there was a significant relationship between both the evaluation factor and the　activity/competence factor and intimacy with elderly kendo practitioners. Although it has been pointed out that the traditional style of kendo and the image of elderly kendo practitioners have a negative impact on children, this study suggests that the image of elderly kendo practitioners is positively maintained by exchanges and guidance through words and conversations, and that it would lead to the transmission and inheritance of traditional culture.