The object of this study is to evaluate changes in competitors' occupation, rank and age with the passage of years from the 1st (1953) to 40th (1992) All-Japan Kendo Champioships. The author has elucidated how qualification in the Championship have affected the occupation, rank and age.
The results were as follows:
1. Changes in competitors' occupation, rank and age with the passage of years.
The occupation, rank and age have been verified to have the following deviating tendencies.
a) Occupation: Various members of occupations were qualified as competitors in the period I, though policemen increasingly accounted for them in the period II, and subsequently the periods of III and IV.
b) Rank: A variety of ranks accounted for them in the period II, though competitors with 6th rank were increasingly qualified in the periods III and IV.
c) Age: A broad range of ages accounted for them in the period II, were shrunk to the younger in the period III, and were concentrated in the first half of 30s in the period IV.
2. Effects of occupation, rank and age on qualifications.
The qualification was made which inhibits the entry of the competitors with 6th rank or lower in the period IV. As a result, this qualification made the policeman's entry be increased further more times, and that of the kendo teachers and the other younger competitors with 5th rank or lower including students be decreased. The qualification of 6th rank or lower elevated the rank and age, though that of 5th rank or lower reduced the rank slightly and the age.
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