During the COVID-19 pandemic, the All Japan Kendo Federation requires practitioners to wear a Men-mask when doing interpersonal keiko, and strongly recommends using a shield inside the men at the same time.

The main route of COVID-19 infections is from droplets spraying from practitioners’ mouths. To prevent infections coming from that route, a Men-mask and shield are necessary, as noted above. This is a temporary measure to prevent new infection clusters emerging through kendo practice.

However, now that temperatures are increasing, it is easier for heatstroke to occur. Recently, the number of cases of heatstroke being reported through the All Japan Kendo Federation’s heatstroke reporting system are increasing.

In response to the state of emergency declaration and the request for self-restraint, recently many people have been unable to exercise or practice. Therefore, the body has not been able to acclimatize to the heat. It is understood that heatstroke frequently occurs when the body is not acclimatized to heat in hot and humid conditions.

Instructors should be aware that kendo keiko is being conducted in an unprecedented time and circumstances. Therefore, please pay attention to training time (i.e. making it shorter), scheduling break times, drinking water, and ventilating and controlling the temperature in the dojo.

Please keep in mind the above points, even if you are not in a teaching position.

＊Please note that this guidance relates specifically to Japan. Overseas practitioners should follow the rules in their country.