The Japanese martial art of Kendo has spread internationally, raising questions about how kendo is adapted in different cultural contexts and whether its original values and traditions are preserved. This qualitative study explored how cultural background influences kendo instruction by comparing the perspectives of ten experienced Japanese and Dutch kendo instructors. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis, guided by Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory.<\/p>\n
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Japanese instructors emphasized competitive success, hierarchy, and student creativity, reflecting masculinity and high power distance, while also subverting expectations regarding individualism. Dutch instructors promoted recreational practice and egalitarian relationships, and reported challenges with overly critical students, reflecting femininity and low power distance, but defied assumptions regarding individualism.<\/p>\n
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Despite these differences, both groups were strongly committed to maintaining kendo\u2019s traditional values. The findings highlight how martial arts are adapted across cultures while preserving core principles and show the need for further research in additional contexts.<\/p>\n
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Kendo is a Japanese martial art based on traditional swordsmanship, and it is deeply rooted in the cultural values and traditions of Japan. Nowadays, kendo is not just treated as a sport but is also used as a tool to promote human character and values. The martial art is not only widely practiced across Japan but has also become increasingly popular globally. Although kendo’s governing bodies welcome this global spread, they hope to preserve kendo’s unique properties during the process. Previous research shows that many non-Japanese kendo practitioners started because they were interested in learning about Japan and Japanese culture through kendo and that they are drawn to the spiritual aspects of the art, and that non-Japanese practitioners placed more importance on \u201cspiritual development\u201d and \u201cdiscipline\u201d in kendo practice than their Japanese peers, who favored \u201cskill improvement\u201d and \u201cinterpersonal relationships\u201d. European practitioners were found to be interested in learning about spiritual training and self-discipline, the relationship between body and mind, and learning proper traditional techniques through kendo. Furthermore, studies have shown that practitioners of martial arts in Western contexts frequently incorporate Japanese terminology into their training routines. Culture plays a central role in how personal values and social relationships take shape in a society. Culture has been found to affect leadership, attitude towards sport coaches, and motivation in sports. Although the Netherlands and Japan share similar levels of economic and educational development, the two countries\u2019 national cultures differ sharply in many aspects.<\/p>\n
The analysis revealed three overarching themes that reflect contrasting instructor perspectives shaped by cultural context: (1) Meaning of Kendo, (2) Instructor\u2013Student Dynamics, and (3) Navigating Student Culture. Within these themes, both similarities and differences emerged between Dutch and Japanese participants. Japanese instructors are always conscious of their institutional status and the responsibilities and expectations that come with their position. They must guide their students toward competitive success and tend to maintain a certain hierarchy within the dojo. In contrast, Dutch instructors viewed kendo as a leisure activity, prioritizing enjoyment, student retention, and egalitarian relationships with students. When analyzed through Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, these contrasts seem to reflect broader cultural differences in values such as masculinity, indulgence, power distance, and individualism. Despite these differences, both Japanese and Dutch participants stressed the importance of kendo’s tradition and culture, although Dutch instructors rejected \u201coverly Japanese\u201d behavior among students. Overall, the findings highlight the complex interplay between the intrinsic values of Japanese martial arts and global cultural frameworks.<\/p>\n
This study adopted a qualitative research design with a constructivist paradigm, aiming to explore how individuals make meaning of their experiences within culturally embedded practices. A qualitative approach was chosen to allow for rich, in-depth exploration of participants\u2019 perspectives on kendo instruction. Data was gathered through in-depth interviews. Reflexive thematic analysis was used as the analytical framework, as it is a flexible method for identifying, analyzing, and interpreting patterns of meaning within the responses of the participants. This approach allowed for an in-depth exploration of participants\u2019 experiences, perspectives, and beliefs.<\/p>\n
Findings highlight the importance of adapting instructional approaches to align with local cultural values. Japanese instructors teaching abroad, or non-Japanese instructors teaching Japanese martial arts, should be mindful of how cultural dimensions such as power distance, individualism, and masculinity shape expectations around hierarchy, authority, and competitiveness. Being aware of such differences can improve instructor-student dynamics and enhance engagement. As kendo continues to globalize, it might be necessary for kendo to evolve in ways to better suit different cultural contexts. Rather than universally adhering to Japanese norms, instructors should consider which traditional elements are essential to preserve and which may be adapted to fit local customs without losing the art’s core identity. In addition to this, it might be vital for Japanese and international governing bodies to clearly define kendo’s most important intrinsic values and how they should be maintained throughout this process of internationalization.<\/p>\n
Future studies could broaden their scope by including a more diverse and extensive range of countries, particularly those outside the traditional centers of kendo practice. This would give insight into how kendo is interpreted, adapted, and integrated within a variety of cultural, social, and institutional contexts. This could reveal unique adaptations or tensions between traditional Japanese values and local cultural norms, expanding understanding of how kendo functions globally as both a martial art and a vehicle for cultural transmission. Additionally, incorporating quantitative research could provide valuable complementary insights by measuring attitudes and values of coaches and students on a larger scale and investigate the mechanisms behind the cultural resilience of kendo’s traditional aspects.<\/p>\n
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\u96d1\u8a8c\u540d\uff0fJournal\uff1aFrontiers in Sports and Active Living<\/p>\n
\u8ad6\u6587\u540d\uff0fTitle\uff1aPreservation and adaptation: A qualitative comparison of Japanese and Dutch kendo instructors<\/p>\n
\u57f7\u7b46\u8005\u540d\u30fb\u6240\u5c5e\u6a5f\u95a2\u540d\uff0fAuthors and Affiliated Organisation\uff1aPepijn Boomgaard & Kohei Kawashima, Graduate School of Sport Sciences, Waseda University<\/p>\n
Publishment Date\uff08Local Time\uff09\uff1a26 November 2025<\/p>\n
Publishment Date\uff08Japan Time\uff09\uff1a26 November 2025<\/p>\n
\uff08\u30aa\u30f3\u30e9\u30a4\u30f3\u63b2\u8f09\u306e\u5834\u5408\uff0fFor online publication\uff09<\/p>\n
URL\uff1ahttps:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/journals\/sports-and-active-living\/articles\/10.3389\/fspor.2025.1688333\/full<\/p>\n
DOI\uff1ahttps:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fspor.2025.1688333<\/p>\n
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tokojimu-soumu@list.waseda.jp<\/a><\/p>\n \u5ddd\u5cf6\u3000\u6d69\u5e73<\/p>\n