Many people look up to Takahiro Nabeyama as a legendary athlete. Not only has he achieved brilliant results as a player, he has also achieved great things as a coach. But did you know that Nabeyama is also involved in teaching kendo overseas? In this interview, we asked him about the spread of kendo overseas and his thoughts on kendo.

Profile

Professor Takahiro Nabeyama He was born in Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture. He won the Gyokuryu-ki Championship with Osaka PL Gakuen and won both the individual and team titles at the Inter-High School Championships. While at Tsukuba University, he twice won the All-Japan Student Team Championship. After graduating, he made it to the top eight at the All-Japan Championships and has competed in two world championships. He is currently an associate professor at the University of Tsukuba Graduate School and head coach of the University of Tsukuba Kendo Club. As a coach, he has led the team to four All-Japan team victories. He is still fresh in our minds as he led the team to victory at this year's Kanto Student Kendo Championship. He is also involved in reconstruction support activities and promoting kendo overseas.

Kendo instruction in the Netherlands

—Please tell us how you got involved in teaching in the Netherlands. Nabeyama: "I've been giving instruction there for about 20 years now. Professor Takayoshi EdoIt all started when I stayed in the Netherlands for a year about 40 years ago.Professor Akira IijimaHe was teaching in the Netherlands. He asked me to help him, and I started helping out." -Have you also been teaching for a long time, Professor Iijima? Nabeyama: "I think Professor Iijima has been teaching for nearly 40 years. He graduated from Chukyo University, so he seems to have had a connection with Professor Edo Kokichi." -How often do you go to the Netherlands? Nabeyama: "Instruction is given once a year."Summer Seminar" hosted by the Dutch Kendo Federation "There are events being held, so we go there every time." -How many people attend the summer seminar? Nabeyama: "There are about 120 participants. The course lasts for three days, and a promotion exam is held on the final day. The number of participants is on the rise. I think the fact that the number of participants is increasing means that the participants are finding some value in it, so I see it as a positive indicator. What I value isWhether they will say, "Please come again next year". Every match is a serious battleTherefore, we provide instruction so that students can be evaluated. If you apply, you can take the course regardless of your country. If you are interested, please join us. The next course is scheduled for August next year.

Specific training content overseas

-Could you tell us the specific content of your instruction? Nabeyama: The most important thing isWhat participants wantAfter listening to that, I will explain in detail. In other countries, there are many people who start kendo as adults.Excellent peopleBecause of this, it is unlikely that their level of understanding or way of thinking is inferior to that of Japanese people." -What kind of things do people overseas want to know? Nabeyama: "It's about how to move your body. Most people know the theory. Even when it comes to something as simple as how to do a Suburi, they know the theory, but it seems like they don't practice enough and can't put it into practice." -So you're saying that you won't provide instruction based on our standards. Nabeyama: "It's easy to get them to start from the basics. But the number of days available for instruction is short. If we start from the basics, the instruction period will end in the blink of an eye. In a situation where we only have three days, we ask them in advance what they want to know. Providing what is neededThat's my stance. Of course, I need to be prepared to answer those questions every day." -I get the impression that most people there are logical. Nabeyama: "That's right. The teaching methods differ depending on the target audience. Let's think about university students and elementary school students. Elementary school students' brains are still developing, so it's important for them to learn with their bodies. For university students, it's important for them to understand with their brains. My policy is,I try not to use onomatopoeia.' -That may be unusual for a kendo instructor. Nabeyama: "I don't teach along the lines of, 'Attack hard and hit hard.' This is quite difficult. You have to get into the habit of verbalizing how you distribute your center of gravity and how you bend your joints when you're doing kendo. That's not to say that onomatopoeia is bad, though." -Are the skills of people from overseas different? NabeyamaMotivation for Kendo is differentThat's why. Some people want to learn the Japanese spirit, while others see Kendo as a sport. It's all different.Everyone is interested in etiquette and cultureThat is what I mean." -Is there anything you pay particular attention to? NabeyamaI don't want to deny the way people from overseas think.AndI don't want to force this way of thinkingThey respect the history of other countries. For example, when it comes to suburi. In Japan, the commander calls out the number of times to do suburi, and everyone else calls out the number of times to do it. Overseas, it seems like everyone wants to call out "ichi, ni, san" together. It seems like they like to call it out in Japanese (laughs)."

Promoting Kendo overseas

-You're going to America this year, right? Nabeyama: "I went last year, and thankfully I was asked to come again this year. Chris Young, a member of the American team, studied abroad at Tsukuba University for a year. His younger brother, Denny, also studied there. That connection led to his request. He's a lawyer for Toyota Motor Corporation, and he's a wonderful person with a unique sensibility. I went to Hong Kong in June, and at the end of the year, my wife and I will be going to Bangkok." -Did you consciously build connections with overseas companies? Nabeyama: "That's not true. I treat each and every coaching session as a serious battle, so perhaps that attitude was appreciated." -What do you think will be necessary for Southeast Asian and European countries to be able to compete on equal terms with Japan, South Korea, and the United States in the future? Nabeyama: "As expected,Creating an environmentI guess so. Japanese police practice every day. There are probably only a limited number of countries where people practice to that extent. Apart from Korea, there are probably almost no countries where people can make a living from kendo." -There are probably very few countries where you can make a living from kendo. Nabeyama: Before the World Championships, AmericaI quit my job to attend..The spirit of "I'm going to win" is amazingIt's not the technique that's impressive, it's the heart. At the world championships held in Taiwan, the Japanese team lost to the United States. I practiced with the American team before the championships, and frankly, they didn't have the strength to beat the Japanese team. But they did beat the Japanese team.A victory of heart over skillI think that was it." -The atmosphere in America was intense. Is the environment for kendo in America good? Nabeyama: "I think the way national team athletes approach things is changing. Apparently, Chris Young visits the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department for about a month before the world championships." -What is your impression of European kendo? Nabeyama: "I have the impression that France has a large kendo population. I think that this means there are people on the team who have a kendo talent for it. Hungary's team is coached by Mr. Abe, who graduated from the International Budo University and graduate school at Tsukuba University. They are well-trained and do beautiful kendo." -What is your impression of kendo in Southeast Asia? Nabeyama: "There are many countries in Southeast Asia that have not yet joined the organization. Many Japanese companies have expatriates in Thailand, so they often provide guidance during their stay."

Message to overseas kendo players

-Please give a message to overseas swordsmen. NabeyamaI think it's important to concentrate on kendo.Many foreigners study kendo at the University of Tsukuba, and by devoting themselves to the sport intensively, they make remarkable progress. I hope they will find a place in Japan that has an accepting environment and immerse themselves in kendo. Come to Japan, eat delicious food, and practice kendo. Japan has an image of being dangerous because of the many earthquakes, but it is truly safe. I hope they will come to Japan and cross swords with Japanese swordsmen at least once."

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