open access

https://hdl.handle.net/2115/93057

'Cultivating Character': The Association of British Athleticism with the Educational Value of Japanese Football in Shukyu Monthly Magazine (1931-41)

英語

character

2023-03-07

Taylor & Francis

International Journal of the History of Sport

40(1)

66-84

A unique aspect of Japanese football culture is that educational institutions have remained its primary exponents since its introduction in the late-nineteenth century. This paper analyses why educational institutions became so influential in Japanese football, utilizing articles published in the inaugural nationwide football magazine, Shukyu, between 1931 and 41. Through a comprehensive analysis of various articles, selected essays provide evidence of (1) the eligibility of organized games to 'cultivate character'; (2) Japanese football's embrace and re-interpretation of the tenets of amateurism inherent in public school games; (3) the association of football participation in schools with the educational ideology of individualism; (4) the perception of sports by the educated elite as a fundamental element of Japanese education, rallying against the public perception that sports and schoolwork could be adequately balanced. Additionally, articles highlight the prominent role played by the Japanese 'educated elite' in promoting and disseminating the values of English association football as components of Japanese football culture, influenced by their ability to translate overseas sports media. This paper concludes that Japanese football literature was influential in disseminating the role of sport and education, which came to personify the institutionalization of the sport throughout the country.

学術雑誌論文

Accepted Manuscript

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in The International Journal of the History of Sport on 07 Mar 2023, available at: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/09523367.2023.2177281

0952-3367