Abstract - Top Japanese University Kendo Athletes Had Learned the 4C’s in Intersecting Ways During High School
Background. Coaching science has increasingly emphasized athlete-centered, evidence-based approaches that promote autonomy, psychological development, and value-driven leadership. Globally, this shift has prompted reassessment of traditional methods. In Japan, particularly in Budo disciplines like Kendo, coaching often involves hierarchical relationships and tacit instruction. While sometimes viewed as outdated, these culturally embedded practices may still hold educational value, especially as reforms continue to reshape Japanese sports pedagogy.
Problem. Previous research applied the 4Cs framework – Competence, Confidence, Connection, and Character – to explore the perspectives of elite Kendo coaches but found that these categories frequently overlapped, making them difficult to apply distinctly. Building on this, the present study shifts focus from coaches to athletes, aiming to explore what high school Kendo practitioners actually learned through their club experiences and whether their development across the 4Cs occurred in isolated or intersecting ways.
Method. This study drew on qualitative data from focus groups and semi-structured interviews with 24 university athletes who had trained in high school Kendo clubs. Data were analyzed using the SCAT (Steps for Coding and Theorization) and KJ methods (Kawakita Jiro’s card-sorting approach) to identify and visualize key conceptual themes grounded in participants’ lived experiences.
Results and Conclusion. The findings indicate that the 4Cs were not developed in isolation, but through their intersections. Everyday activities – such as cleaning and participating in group rituals – contributed to psychological stability, emotional regulation, and social awareness. Traditional Kendo coaching provides a culturally grounded and implicit form of athlete education that aligns with, and in some aspects extends, existing coaching theories.