Japanese schools are to institute compulsory training in the honourable way of the warrior; middle schoolers will from next year have to take up one of a variety of martial arts, and so instil in themselves the noble heart of a samurai, or at least enjoy beating each other with a variety of weapons.
The current system allows middle schoolers the choice of dance or martial arts in their first year, and in their second and third years they must select two of dance, martial arts and a ball game.
This will change to compulsory budou (martial arts) and dance; the sports permissible are judo, kendo and sumo (!). Depending on the region and school, other martial skills such as kyudo (archery) and the naginata (halberd) will also be laid on. Strangely there is no mention of karate, and lamentably ninjutsu seems entirely out of consideration, so we will be spared a generation of ninja…
The changes will be rolled out over thousands of schools in 2009, and a generous budget of no less than six billion yen to ensure that in future years Japan will not lack for skilled swordfighters in case one of the quiescent daimyo once again rebels against the emperor’s majestic reign.
A variety of parties are rubbing their hands with glee over this move, with calls for proper tatami floored spaces, to say nothing of instructors, all adding to the pork, as many schools are not equipped with these facilities.
Politicians like this sort of move too, as it is all very Japanese and gives a good opportunity to talk about instilling discipline. Even many children enjoy beating each other with sticks, though whether it being compulsory will be well received is another matter. It may at least equip some of them to beat off the teachers.
Via Mainichi.
Top 10 Most Anticipated Anime of Winter 2016
Splatoon “Super Play Time” Absolutely Cringe-worthy
Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut “Dragons & Mechs?”
Monster Hunter X Megaman Event Profusely Blue
Love Live! Sunshine!! MV “Will Brighten Up Your Day!”
Top 10 Best Anime Girls of 2015
Hai to Gensou no Grimgar “Has Oppai!”
Picking Up Japan Express Vol. 36 Worth a Pickup
Dimension W Out Of This World
Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir PV Certainly Nostalgic
One-Punch Man Soundtrack PV Packs A Wallop
XmasTrickStar “A White Christmas Indeed…”
Wo-Class Carrier Ero-MMD In Dire Straights
Voice Translation Tool Promotional Video “Inexcusable!”
Luck & Logic Far From Lucky
Yandere Simulator Possibly Headed to Kickstarter
Top 20 Recent Anime Most In Need Of A Sequel
Hyrule Warriors Legends PV Clashes Interminably
Akagami no Shirayukihime English Dub Surfaces
Koukaku no Pandora Really Opens That Box
Gothic Lolita Hatsune Miku Cosplay Busts Out
Delectable Dizzy Cosplay by Lechat
Dark Elf Cosplay by Non Very Dark Indeed
Titillating Tamako Cosplay Perfectly Pink
Goddess of 2ch: “Full of Lust & Urges (& Also Videos)!”
Raunchy Reisen Inaba Cosplay by Tsuyato
Haruhi Bunny Girl Cosplay Rocks Out
Youmu Ero-Cosplay by Madoka Adachi Deadly Sexy
Comiket 89 Cosplay Sickeningly Sweet
Comiket 89 Cosplay A Guilty Pleasure
Little did you know, the Japanese middle school system has been producing ninja for years. You don't know this because they're just that good.
This is awesome.
So, Japan's getting ready to follow their secret military buildup like in Red Alert 3.
What's next? A legion of Yuriko Omegas?
As a fellow fighter, it makes me wanted to go japan even more. I agree with the implementation, is a good thing. Martial art is really a discipline education in various ways possible.
Been wondering for a while, being a Taekwondo fighter going against various arts I have but... Naginata does not exist here in my country as far as I'm concerned. Wonder if Taekwondo can go against weapon masters?
nah main thing is it's to stop the lolis and shotas getting Raeped...coz now they can defend them selfs
It all depends on the skill of the individual fighter. But if you have two fighters and one only uses his hands and feet while the other uses a pole arm between 5 and 7 feet long then the fighter with the pole arm starts off with the automatic advantage of attacking from outside the other fighter's striking range. So unless the other fighter was faster then the naginata user and could get passed the blade of the naginata then I think the naginata user would win.
Incorrect, distinct disadvantage of pole arms against bare hands. If you can dodge the initial strike and get past the blade, you can grab the weapon and disarm them, leaving them useless.
Study aikido myself and we have Kata against staves and swords, all dodge -> grab -> disarm.. tae kwan do could do so with a side kick to the head, i'm sure.
Only if it's the really, really traditional Taekwondo that includes weapon training.
Hooray! the more samurai about the better
So, after a year what's up in Japan?
Everyday in Japan you see about 532 middle-school ninjas cross your path.
Of course, Ninja are not exactly the same as "noble spirited samurai". Of course, whether that noble spirit will really make it through to all students or whether bullies will use the skills.... ah, I guess they're the ones who would've chosen martial arts anyway, so maybe even from that point of view it can be helpful.
Also, with one article already of loli-bloomer-sumo, can we expect more pictures of the sort in months and years to come? :)
Cool... did they pick something up from Red Alert 3?
Joking!
Note: Taekwondo isn't Japanese, it's Korean.
Relly?超 cool~
OMG I want to learn naginata