This study investigated the relationship between cognitive strategies and competitive level among judo athletes during the pre-competition phase. A total of 1,312 athletes completed a web-based survey using the Cognitive Strategy Scale and the Trait Anxiety Inventory for Sports. Cluster analysis identified four types of cognitive strategies: Strategic Optimism (SO), Defensive Pessimism (DP), Low Consideration (LC), and Realistic Pessimism (RP). SO was most common among athletes at national and international levels, while RP was more prevalent at lower levels. Statistical analyses indicated that SO was more frequently adopted by athletes at the national and international levels, with nearly 30% of international-level athletes adopting SO, whereas RP was adopted by over 40% of athletes at lower competitive levels. In contrast, DP was consistently observed across all competitive levels without notable biases, indicating that it is a cognitive strategy commonly adopted by a wide range of athletes. LC, which has also been reported in previous studies, was confirmed among judo athletes in this study. It was characterized by low deliberation and moderate recognition of past performance, and may reflect a cognitive tendency influenced by mushin (no-mind), a concept in martial arts of non-attachment and mental composure. These findings may indicate the potential value of individualized psychological support during the pre-competition phase based on athletes’ cognitive strategies.

Coordination ability (CoA) is considered to play a crucial role in all types of physical movement. However, academic research on the relationship between kendo and CoA remains limited, necessitating further investigation into its significance and methods of evaluation. This study aimed to evaluate visual reaction (ichigan) and footwork (nisoku), two fundamental components of kendo performance, based on the principle of “ichigan, nisoku, santan, shiriki” (first, eyes; second, feet; third, strong mind; fourth, technique and strength). To achieve this, two evaluation methods were developed: the Suri-ashi Test and the Strike Reaction Test.

This study involved 51 male university kendo practitioners. Of the seven CoAs classified by Blume (1978), the Suri-ashi Test primarily targeted differentiation and transformation abilities, whereas the Strike Reaction Test assessed reaction ability. To examine convergent validity, the Suri-ashi Test was compared with the Pro-Agility Test, and the Strike Reaction Test with the Whole-Body Reaction Test. Criterion-related validity was assessed by analyzing the correlation between test results and competitive performance. And repeatability was evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient.

The Suri-ashi Test demonstrated high reproducibility (ICC = .817), a significant correlation with the Pro-Agility Test (r = .547, P < .001), and a significant correlation with competitive performance (r = .297, P = .034). These findings support the Suri-ashi Test as a reliable and valid measure of footwork-related CoA in kendo. In contrast, while the Strike Reaction Test showed repeatability (ICC = .774) and a significant correlation with the Whole-Body Reaction Test (r = .303, P = .031), it did not exhibit a significant correlation with competitive performance (r = .033, P = .817), suggesting the need for further refinement.

The Suri-ashi Test provides a practical tool for evaluating CoA related to footwork in competitive situations, and the data derived from this test can serve as a basis for establishing an objective feedback system for players and coaches. In contrast, the Strike Reaction Test requires modifications, such as incorporating choice reaction tasks, to better reflect competitive conditions. The demonstrated utility of the Suri-ashi Test highlights the importance of CoA in kendo. However, since a single test cannot comprehensively assess all aspects of CoA, future research should focus on developing new test methods and constructing a test battery that enables a more comprehensive evaluation of CoA in kendo.

Accurate prediction of match outcomes and objective assessment of athletic performance are crucial for both athlete development and strategic planning in competitive sports. The International Judo Federation (IJF) ranking system is widely adopted in judo; nevertheless, it has limitations in accurately assessing athletic performance owing to its strong dependence on tournament participation frequency. This study aimed to develop an athletic performance assessment and victory prediction system using the Elo rating system for practical judo competitions. Approximately 380,000 match results derived from IJF-organized tournaments from 2009 to 2024 were analyzed in this study. Each athlete’s Elo rating was calculated, and match win rates were derived from rating differences. Additionally, the championship win probability and top-four finish probability for the 2024 Abu Dhabi World Championships and Paris Olympics were estimated by incorporating the match win rates and tournament draw data. The estimated match win rates closely aligned with the actual match results, particularly with small rating differences; however, significant overestimations were observed in matches with larger rating differences. The combination of Elo rating-based win rate estimation and tournament draw data across multiple weight classes was more strongly correlated with actual tournament results than IJF rankings. These findings suggest that the Elo rating system not only serves as an effective tool for assessing athletic performance and predicting match outcomes in judo athletes but is also a dynamic alternative to traditional ranking systems, laying the groundwork for improved strategic tools with potential applications in other individual sports.

This study examines the effects of judo-therapy on children with neurodevelopmental disorders (eg. ADHD, ASD, and more) from the perspective of their parents. While previous research has focused on the views of instructors, this study aims to understand the perceived benefits from parents who observe daily changes in their children. The researchers conducted a qualitative study using an online questionnaire distributed via Google Forms to parents whose children attended after-school day care offering judo therapy. The survey included open-ended questions regarding changes in physical, mental, and social aspects due to judo therapy. The responses were analyzed using the KJ method for inductive categorization. Out of 100 survey invitations, 33 parents responded. The analysis identified three major categories of effects: physical improvements, mental development, and social adaptation. In the physical domain, parents reported enhanced body control, motor skills, and balance, as well as increased physical strength, endurance, and flexibility. Many also noted improved fall-prevention skills, suggesting that judo’s emphasis on ukemi (breakfalls) helps to reduce injuries. In the mental domain, children showed greater emotional stability, self-confidence, and perseverance. Many developed a stronger sense of belonging within judo therapy sessions and displayed increased motivation for exercise, even among those who had previously shown little interest in sports. In the social domain, judo therapy contributed to improved self-regulation and social interactions, fostering the development of manners, greetings, and cooperation through structured etiquette. The study concludes that judo therapy provides holistic benefits beyond physical training, positively influencing motor skills, mental resilience, and social integration, with particularly notable effects on children with ADHD and ASD. Parents observed tangible improvements in their children’s daily lives, supporting the effectiveness of judo therapy as an inclusive developmental support program. We suggest that future studies should incorporate direct assessments of children’s progress using objective performance measures to further validate these findings.

This study focuses on Yamada Jirokichi, and aims to clarify the reality of Yamada’s kendo coaching at Tokyo University of Commerce for about 30 years from 1901 to 1930 and his students’ club activities. In particular, it aims to elucidate the significance of kata practice.

1. Yamada Jirokichi’s philosophy

Yamada Jirokichi described kendo as a way to train the body and mind and divided its training into “naishu” (inner training) and “gaishu” (outer training). He pointed out that the kenjutsu world of the time was heavily weighted toward the external and the physical, and he especially emphasized the importance of inner mental training and the revival of kata practice.

2. Kata practice in the early period of Yamada’s instruction (1901-1915)

In the beginning, Yamada did not teach kata to all club members, but taught kata to each one as needed. The kata practice was very intense and demanded seriousness and spirit, just as in bamboo sword “shinai” kendo.

3. Kata practice in the later period of Yamada’s instruction (1916-1930)

As a result of intense and continuous kata practice, the hojo form of kata, as a form of inner cultivation, became widespread in the club. Many members who practiced hojo changed their approach to bamboo sword kendo, with kata practice becoming an opportunity for them to change their approach to kendo itself. Meanwhile, those who did not fit in with this trend of the club became the “match faction” that neglected kata practice and focused on activities centered on matches. They were in conflict with the “hojo faction” that emphasized kata practice as a form of inner training.

4. Kata practice after Yamada’s death (1930-1944)

After Yamada’s death, the goal of the club was to combine shinai kendo with the training and transmission of Jikishinkage-ryu kata. At this time, the kata practice of these students was limited to learning movements and did not function as a form of inner training. However, the trend toward kata practice as inner training itself was emphasized, and as a result, the late Yamada Jirokichi was deified, and hojo training as a form of inner training came to be considered sacred. In contrast, students of the match faction found it difficult to adapt to this aspect of the club, and kata practice became reduced to a mere formality.

5. Significance of Yamada’s teaching of Jikishinkage-ryu kata at the Tokyo University of Commerce

The significance of the kata practice of Jikishinkage-ryu at the Tokyo University of Commerce was twofold: (1) resisting the conversion of kendo into a competitive sport; and (2) fostering a sense of identity for the kendo club and its members.

Nitric oxide (NO), produced in paranasal sinuses, is measurable as fractional exhaled NO (FeNO) and increases with vocalizations like humming. The “Men” vocalization in kendo, including nasal sounds, also elevates FeNO, potentially improving arterial oxygenation via NO’s vasodilatory effects. However, individual FeNO variability to “Men” vocalizations suggests articulation differences may play a role. This study clarified the relationship between/n/articulation methods during “Men” vocalizations and FeNO levels in experienced kendo practitioners. Twenty-four university kendo players participated. Nasal/n/articulation methods (focusing on lip closure presence/absence, categorized as ［m］-type or ［n］/［ng］-type) were surveyed via questionnaire under four “Men” vocalization conditions (prolonged “Meeen,” repeated short “Men” as in kirikaeshi, short “Men!” as in suburi) and humming. FeNO was measured via nasal mask under these five conditions, plus normal mouth/nasal breathing. Results indicated articulation preferences varied: prolonged “Meeen” typically used open-lip articulation (［n］/［ng］-type, 79.2%), while repeated short “Men” and short “Men!” more often used lip closure (［m］-type, 75.0-87.5%). Consistent with prior findings, humming (162.5±15.6 ppb) and repeated “Men” vocalizations (141.1±15.1 ppb) significantly increased FeNO to similar high levels (P＝0.849, r＝0.25); prolonged “Meeen” (45.0±6.1 ppb), normal mouth breathing (26.9±4.8 ppb) and normal nose breathing (85.0±8.1 ppb) yielded lower FeNO (P<0.001, r>0.60 (vs humming)). Critically, a comparison between groups with different labial articulation methods for/n/(［m］-type vs. ［n］/［ng］-type) during humming or repeated “Men” vocalizations revealed no significant differences in either the absolute FeNO values or the proportion of participants exceeding 100 ppb, a reference value set to induce physiological responses even in healthy subjects. This suggests that the increase in FeNO during repeated “Men” vocalizations or humming is likely not limited to a specific labial articulation method. This suggests primary FeNO elevation factors are likely nasopharyngeal vibration and nasal airflow dynamics, not precise terminal articulation. These findings imply diverse nasal vocalization techniques could effectively increase FeNO, relevant for harnessing nasally-derived NO’s physiological benefits.

The purpose of this study was to review Japanese and English research papers on budo tourism and clarify the issues regarding the definitions of budo tourism, tourist behavior, destination management, and authenticity. In Japan, budo tourism is defined in two ways: for core users and for casual users, while in Europe, learning and human development are emphasized. The travel motivations of the tourists are divided into five categories: 1) acquire knowledge and skills of budo, 2) form and strengthen social networks with budo practitioners and researchers, 3) grow oneself mentally and morally, 4) experience a different culture, and 5) learn budo in an authentic location and experience the sacredness of the birthplaces of budo. In addition to reciprocal visits, European budo tourists often visit the birthplaces of budo in East Asia and elsewhere to learn budo in an authentic location and experience their sacredness.

A host city develops a promotion system and tourist facilities with support from the government and develops programs for budo and indigenous culture experiences on the basis of touristsʼ preferences and needs. The budo shown to the tourists lose their indigenous and combative characteristics and become invented traditions with entertainment value and ease of understanding. Thus, objective authenticity of budo weakens and staged authenticity is produced. As tourists consume the staged authenticity and existential authenticity accumulates, the authenticity of budo is redefined.