Spring Nationals runner-up and former champions! P League Men's Team.
The P League at the fourth venue features Higashi Fukuoka ((Fukuoka)), which was runner-up in this spring’s All Japan High School Kendo Selection Tournament, and will be forced into a tough competition from the first day. Their opponents are Seizan (Yamagata), which placed in the top 8 at the Tohoku Tournament and has qualified for Inter-High for two consecutive years, and Kofu Shogyo (Yamanashi), a prestigious school that won the men’s team championship at the 4th Inter-High in 1957 and has participated in the tournament for six consecutive years. It is a round-robin tournament with two matches per school, and only one school can advance to the knockout tournament. Higashi Fukuoka will play against Seizan in their first league match and against Kofu Shogyo in their third match.
These three schools.
- Higashi Fukuoka（東福岡）Fukuoka PrefectureMen's team.Men's IndividualMen's Individual: 橋本 大治Players(3Year)
- Seizan（惺山）Yamagata PrefectureMen's team.Men's IndividualMen's Individual: 髙田 陽多Players(3Year)
- Kofu Shogyo（甲府商業）Yamanashi Prefecture.Men's team.Girls' team.Men's IndividualWomen's IndividualMen's Individual: 水谷 一惺Players(2Year)、谷田部 大稀Players(3Year) / Women's Individual: 星 知波Players(3Year)
The one school that advanced will play against the winners of League O (Hamana(Shizuoka), Seimei Gakuin(Osaka), Toyama Hokubu(Toyama)) in the first round of the finals tournament.
Highlights
Round-robin tournament between three schools; only one school advances.
The preliminary league is a round-robin between three schools, with each school playing two matches. The team match is a five-person system of Senpo, Jiho, Chuken, Fukusho, and Taisho, and the winner is decided by the number of wins, and if tied, by the number of points. In the official report of the previous tournament, the number of wins and points were listed together, such as "3(6)-1(2)". Only one school from each league can advance to the knockout tournament. P League will play against Seizan in its league opener Higashi Fukuoka, and against Kofu Shogyo in its third match. The school that advances will play against the winner of O League in the first round of the knockout tournament.
Spring Nationals runner-up・Higashi Fukuoka from day one
According to Let's Kendo, Higashi Fukuoka was runner-up in this spring's All Japan High School Kendo Selection Tournament. The All Japan Selection Tournament is one of the four major high school kendo tournaments, along with Inter-High, Tamaryokki, and Kaisei-ki, and is held every March in Kasugai City, Aichi Prefecture. That national second-place team advanced through the fierce Fukuoka prefectural qualifying tournament to come to Nara. The Taisho 橋本大治 (3rd year, 3rd dan) is one of the players to watch in the tournament. It is a nationally recognized sports school with seven national championships in rugby and three championships in soccer, and the kendo club also has a history of being runner-up in the Tamaryokki in 1971 and finishing third in 1984. The school motto is "There is no genius greater than effort" and "Where there is a will, there is a way." Even so, the preliminary league consists of only two matches.
69 years ago's national champion・Kofu Shogyo
Kofu Municipal Kofu Shogyo High School is the winning school that won the men's team competition at the 4th National High School Comprehensive Sports Tournament Kendo Competition in 1957. The opponent in the final at that time was Shodoshima. It is an old school that opened as Kofu Municipal Kofu Shogyo School in 1901 (Meiji 34), became a new commercial high school in 1948, a coeducational full-time high school in 1951, and moved to its current location (Kamiimachi, Kofu City) in 1977. The departments are commercial and information processing. Wikipedia states that "the kendo club (men and women), badminton club (men and women), and women's soft tennis club are regulars at Inter-High," and this tournament will also feature all four categories: men's team, women's team, men's individual, and women's individual. Let's Kendo reports that it is the sixth consecutive appearance.
School name, for the 5th year again Seizan
Seizan High School, a private school in Josai-cho, Yamagata City, is operated by the 山本 Educational Corporation. Established in May 1919 as "Tondori Sewing School," it changed names to Takeda Sewing Girls' School (1921), Takeda Technical Arts Vocational School (1948), Takeda Girls' High School (1962), and 山本 Gakuen High School (1987), before becoming the current Seizan High School in 2022. The school motto is "Health, Sincerity, and Friendship." It offers a General Course (Special Advancement/General), a Commercial Course (Business/Creative), and a Clothing Creation Course (Fashion Design), and established a correspondence course in 2023. The kendo club reached the best 8 in the Tohoku tournament and qualified for both the spring and summer championships; 髙田陽多 (3rd year, 3rd dan) will compete in the men's individual event.
A league with not a single public high school.
The affiliation of the three schools in the P League is as follows: Higashi Fukuoka is private, Seizan is private, and Kofu Shogyo is Kofu City Municipal. There are no prefectural schools at all, which is an unusual combination even in this tournament. Moreover, none of the three schools have a kendo specialty course. Kofu Shogyo has only commercial and information processing courses, Seizan has general studies, commercial, and clothing design courses, and Higashi Fukuoka has only general studies courses. The three schools that have emerged nationally under their respective conditions will compete for just one spot on the first day.
The 1957 champions, or the men who defeated the 2025 champions?
A school that broke through the P League will play against the winner of the O League in the first round of the final tournament. That O League includes Hamana (Shizuoka) – a team that decided its participation by defeating Iwata Higashi, the previous and 72nd Inter-High men's team champion, in the Shizuoka Prefecture qualifying final for the 8th year of Reiwa. Kofu Shogyo, which became number one in Japan in 1957, and Hamana, which stopped Japan’s number one in the prefectural qualifying round in 2025. If both schools win their respective leagues, a matchup between “champions” separated by 69 years will be realized in the first round of the final tournament.
Live broadcast「Spring Nationals runner-up and former champions! P League Men's Team.」
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Messages of support for the participating schools and players.
Higashi Fukuoka, Kofu Shogyo, Seizan—to the three schools of the P League. Raising the motto that there is no genius that surpasses effort, 橋本大治 serves as Taisho for Higashi Fukuoka. Continuing the history from 1901, 水谷一惺 and 谷田部大稀 stand for Kofu Shogyo. Having renamed the school for the fifth year, Seizan came from Yamagata with 髙田陽多. The three schools, which do not have a kendo specialty course, have reached the floor of the nation under their respective conditions. In a round-robin tournament, two schools will disappear on the first day, but the morning practice until they stand here cannot be erased by anyone. Before winning or losing, please demonstrate everything you have built up, one ippon at a time.
To the five members from Senpo to Taisho.
Commercial department and information processing department only Kofu Shogyo, general department, commercial department, and clothing design department Seizan, and general department only Higashi Fukuoka. The three schools in the P League do not have any specialized kendo departments. The match list includes the 橋本大治 player from Higashi Fukuoka, the 髙田陽多 player from Seizan, and the 水谷一惺 and 谷田部大稀 players from Kofu Shogyo. However, team matches are five-person teams, and only one or two players from each school are listed. The remaining players have not yet been named. On August 2nd, when the order is announced, the names of all fifteen players will resonate throughout the venue. Let us hear those names in Nara.
School Information
Higashi Fukuoka（東福岡）
- Official name
- 東福岡高等学校(東福岡自彊館中学校・東福岡高等学校)
- Reading
- Higashi Fukuoka
- Division/Category of Establishment
- Private (School Corporation Higashi Fukuoka Gakuen)
- Location
- Fukuoka Prefecture Fukuoka City Hakata Ward Higashihie 2-24-1
- History
- The predecessor Fukuoka Meigo Gakujuku was established in November 1945, and Higashi Fukuoka High School opened on April 10, 1955. In April 1999, Higashi Fukuoka Jikyo-kan Junior High School was opened, becoming a junior and senior high school.
- School motto/philosophy
- Our school motto is "No genius can surpass hard work" and "Where there's a will, there's a way." We uphold honesty, a spirit of inquiry, and health as our educational principles.
- Department.
- General studies (from the 2025 academic year: Frontier Course, Liberal Arts and Sciences Course, Medical/Science Course, International Studies Course, Jikyuukan Course)
- Kendo Club
- According to Let's Kendo, they finished second in the men's team at this spring's All-Japan High School Kendo Selection Tournament. They qualified for Inter-High by winning the fierce Fukuoka prefectural qualifying tournament. 橋本大治 (3rd year, 3rd dan), the Taisho, is one of the players to watch in the tournament. They finished second at the Gyokuryuki High School Kendo Tournament in 1971 and third in 1984. As for the school, the rugby club has won the national tournament seven times, and the soccer club has achieved a triple crown.
- Notes
- Known as a national powerhouse in rugby and soccer. We were unable to find an official kendo club page for the school.
Seizan（惺山）
- Official name
- 惺山高等学校
- Reading
- Seizan
- Division/Category of Establishment
- Private (山本 Gakuen Educational Corporation)
- Location
- 7-13, Shiro Nishimachi 3-chome, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture.
- History
- Established in May 1919 as the Watari Sewing School. It underwent several name changes to Takeda Sewing Girls' School (1921), Takeda Technical Arts Vocational School (1948), Takeda Girls' High School (1962), and 山本 Gakuen High School (1987), before becoming Seizan High School in 2022. A correspondence course was established in 2023.
- School motto/philosophy
- The school motto is "Health, Sincerity, and Friendship."
- Department.
- General Studies (Special Advancement Course & Regular Course), Business Studies (Business Course & Creative Course), Fashion Design Course, Correspondence Course
- Kendo Club
- According to Let's Kendo, they achieved a best 8 finish in the Tohoku Tournament and qualified for consecutive appearances in the Spring (National Selection) and Summer (Inter-High) tournaments. They won the Yamagata Prefecture qualifiers for the Reiwa 8 academic year, earning Inter-High berths in both the men's team and men's individual events. The men's individual representative is 髙田陽多 (3rd year, 3rd dan). Past results from national tournaments could not be confirmed from publicly available information.
- Notes
- In 2022, the school name was changed from “Seizan High School” from “山本学園高等学校”. There is an error in the Notion participating schools library, listing the former school name as “山形Johoku High School”, but Wikipedia’s history states the former school name was 山本学園高等学校.
Kofu Shogyo（甲府商業）
- Official name
- 甲府市立甲府商業高等学校
- Reading
- Kofu Shogyo
- Division/Category of Establishment
- Kofu City (Public)
- Location
- 300 Kamimaimachi, Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture.
- History
- Opened as Kofu Shogyo school in 1901 (Meiji 34). Became a new system commercial high school in 1948, and transitioned to a coeducational full-time high school in 1951. Relocated to the current location in 1977.
- Department.
- Business Department, Information Processing Department.
- Kendo Club
- In the 4th All-Japan High School Comprehensive Sports Tournament Kendo Competition in 1957, the men's team won the team event (their opponent in the final was Shodoshima). Wikipedia states that "the kendo club (men and women), badminton club (men and women), and women's soft tennis club are regulars at Inter-High." This tournament featured participation in all four categories: men's team, women's team, men's individual, and women's individual. Let's Kendo reports that "renowned Kofu Shogyo is appearing for the 6th consecutive tournament." The men's individual competitors are 水谷一惺 (2nd year, 2nd dan) and 谷田部大稀 (3rd year, 3rd dan), while the women's individual competitor is 星知波 (3rd year, 3rd dan).
- Notes
- The establishing authority is not Yamanashi Prefecture, but Kofu City. The hardball baseball club participated in the Summer Koshien tournament for the third time in 44 years in 2007.
・National High School Kendo Tournament Official Website (Tournament Updates) ↗
・Let's Kendo [Matchups] August 2nd - 5th, 73rd All Japan High School Kendo Tournament / Nara Inter-High 2026. ↗
・Wikipedia National High School Kendo Tournament (Inter-High Past Results) ↗
・Wikipedia All Japan High School Kendo Tournament ↗
・Wikipedia Tamaryu-ki High School Kendo Tournament 本日、<a href="https://tamaryu.jp/">玉竜旗高校剣道大会</a>の試合結果を報告します。 Today, I will report the results of the <a href="https://tamaryu.jp/">Tamaryu-ki High School Kendo Tournament</a>. <a href="https://tamaryu.jp/">玉竜旗</a>は、高校剣道界では最も権威のある大会の一つです。 The <a href="https://tamaryu.jp/">Tamaryu-ki</a> is one of the most prestigious tournaments in high school kendo. 今回の大会では、各校の先鋒、次鋒、中堅、副将、大将が激戦を繰り広げました。 In this tournament, each school’s Senpo, Jiho, Chuken, Fukusho, and Taisho fought fiercely. 試合は一本勝負で行われ、勝者数は各校の総合力を測る指標となります。 Matches were decided by ippon, and the number of wins served as an indicator of each school’s overall strength. また、取得本数も重要な要素であり、積極的な攻撃が評価されました。 The number of points taken was also an important factor, and aggressive attacks were highly valued. 特に、代表戦では、各校の代表選手がしのぎを削り、見応えのある試合が展開されました。 In particular, the deciding match featured representative players from each school competing fiercely, resulting in exciting matches. <a href="https://tamaryu.jp/">玉竜旗</a>は、Inter-Highへの出場権をかけた重要な大会でもあります。 The <a href="https://tamaryu.jp/">Tamaryu-ki</a> is also an important tournament for qualifying for Inter-High. 今回の大会の結果は、今後の高校剣道界に大きな影響を与えるでしょう。 The results of this tournament will likely have a significant impact on the future of high school kendo. ↗
・Wikipedia Higashi Fukuoka High School ↗
・Higashi Fukuoka Academy Official Site ↗
・Wikipedia Seizan High School ↗
・Wikipedia Kofu Municipal Kofu Shogyo High School ↗
・Notion Participating Schools Library Higashi Fukuoka High School Kendo Club History and Achievements Summary ↗
・Notion Participating School Library Seizan High School Kendo Club History and Achievements Summary ↗
・Notion Participating School Library Kofu Shogyo High School Kendo Club History and Achievements Summary ↗
・72nd All Japan High School Kendo Tournament (Hiroshima 2025) – Tournament Quick Report ↗
Which fact comes from which source?
- League formation (Higashi Fukuoka・Seizan・Kofu Shogyo), fourth venue, individual competition participants from each school, P vs O matchups in the final tournament are in data/2026/league_briefs.json and data/2026/kumiawase.json (based on the official PDF).
- "Second place in the All-Japan Selection Higashi Fukuoka advanced through a fierce Fukuoka qualifying tournament." "Taisho・橋本 is one of the players attracting attention at the tournament." "Best 8 in the Tohoku Tournament, Seizan with consecutive appearances in the spring and summer." "Established school・Kofu Shogyo is making its sixth consecutive appearance." "Higashi Fukuoka will play against Seizan in its first league match and against Kofu Shogyo in its third match" is a highlight from the Let's Kendo Nara Inter-High combination article.
- Each school’s name pronunciation and participation category can be found on the school-specific page of the Notion “2026 Inter-High Kendo Participating Schools Library.”
- Kofu Shogyo’s 1957 Inter-High men’s team championship (runner-up was Shodoshima) is the historical results table in the Wikipedia article “All Japan High School Kendo Tournament.” Founding year, history, departments, sponsor (Kofu City), and the kendo club for both men and women being regular Inter-High participants are in the Wikipedia article “Kofu Municipal Kofu Shogyo High School.”
- Higashi Fukuoka’s founding history, location, departments, school motto “There is no genius greater than effort” and “Where there is a will, there is a way” and the rugby club’s 7 championship wins are on Wikipedia “Higashi Fukuoka High School”. The Tamaryu-ki 1971 runner-up and 1984 3rd place are on Wikipedia “Tamaryu-ki High School Kendo Tournament”.
- The All Japan High School Kendo Selection Tournament is held annually in Kasugai City, Aichi Prefecture in March, and is one of the four major high school kendo tournaments, as detailed in the Wikipedia article “全国高等学校剣道選抜大会”.
- History of Seizan (1919 Tori Sewing School), changes in school name, departments, school motto "Health, Sincerity, Friendship," and founder (Educational Corporation 山本 Gakuen) are on Wikipedia "Seizan High School"
- O League's Hamana defeated the previous champion, Iwata Higashi, in the Shizuoka Prefecture qualifying final for the Reiwa 8 academic year, as per Let's Kendo and the Notion school page. Iwata Higashi's 2025 Inter-High men's team championship is on Wikipedia "National High School Kendo Tournament".
- The classification of the three schools (private, private, and Kofu City Public) is based on each school’s Wikipedia article.
- For team matches with five players, and judging based on the number of wins (points), please refer to the score notation on the official results website for the 2025 Hiroshima Tournament (e.g., 3(6)-1(2)).
- The players' names have not yet been confirmed, so furigana are not included.
- Since this is before the tournament, I have not described any details of the matches – the attacks and defenses, wins and losses, or rankings. Only facts that can be read from the pairings and previously reported results are included.
- The matchup of "The men who defeated the 1957 champions and the 2025 champions" is a possibility if Kofu Shogyo and Hamana advance through their respective leagues, and the match has not been decided.
- *Higashi Fukuoka's 2026 All-Japan Selected Tournament runner-up result is based on the description in the Let's Kendo noteworthy points section. The official tournament results page could not be confirmed.
Please note that the commentary and analysis are AI-generated content based on the facts listed above. As this is before the tournament, there is no description of the matches, attacks and defenses, or wins and losses. Please excuse any errors in reading or notation.