Chutairen - JHS Athletic Tournament

Just weeks after Japanese schools hold their individual Sports Day event (運動会, Undokai), a city-wide athletic tournament called Chutairen (中体連) takes place. During the competition, junior high schools' sports teams compete against each other for three days at various playing fields and gymnasiums around the city. At my school, the participating teams this year included basketball, volleyball, tennis, track and field, softball, swimming, table tennis, judo, kendo, soccer, and baseball. Students who are not on any sports teams still must partake in the ceremonies, as well as watch and cheer on their classmates during the tournament matches.

As is normal, the tournament starts and ends with ceremonies. Two ceremonies kick off the tournament and a closing ceremony marks the official ending. The first ceremony, called sokoshiki (壮行式写真, lit. "send-off ceremony), takes place at each individual school prior to the actual tournament days. It most closely resembles a pep rally at American schools, yet differs in many ways. It's much more formal here in Japan; there are no cheerleaders, there is no band, and students are much more organized. During the ceremony, each team is introduced and the team captain gives a small speech, saying things like, "good luck," and, "thank you for your support," after which students clap and cheer.

My school's "pep rally" / "send-off" ceremony

Then, an opening ceremony is held on the first day of the tournement called, Kaikaishiki (開会式, lit. "opening ceremony"). The well-organized ceremony is held at a large outdoor track stadium. Surrounding the track field, each school has designated sections where cheering students are gathered with colorful hand-made pompoms, flags, and other similar items. Here in Aomori City, nearly two dozen schools participate. Spectators, such as parents, can sit in the regular stands located on one side of the stadium. When the ceremony begins, all participating players (grouped by school) march around the track once in nearly-perfect unison. At the same time, the cheering students surrounding the field perform their unique routines. The three most lively and creative cheering groups are later declared as the best cheering squads, which perhaps gives them some additional motivation to give it their all. After all schools' players have marched around the track once, they form into organized lines on the field and sit down. Next, several more formalities ensue. Several high-ranking people give speeches, and a quick flag ritual takes place. Finally, students march around the track one more time and exit the stadium as the opening ceremony finishes.

My students cheer during the opening ceremony

Once the tournament starts, it is fun and exciting. But it's also quite exhausting for students and the teachers who coach them. Throughout my two years here, I've seen the level of determination my students display during each and every match. So although my school's sports clubs have only been able achieve moderate success these past couple years, they deserve a great deal of respect for their preparation and hard effort. Probably the best achievement I've personally witnessed came last year with first-place wins for our kendo team. This year, our highest success came from a student on the judo team, who was the sole first-place winner from our school in this year's city-wide tournament. He will now go on to the regional tournament, where a win would move him along to the prefectural tournament, and further more until ultimately he could have the chance to go all the way to the all-Japan finals. But in addition to judo, my school did accomplish a few solid wins in other sports.

Below is a summary of the best achievements from this year's (2013) athletic tournament:
- judo: 1st-place, men's 60kg weight-class; 3rd-place, men's 50kg weight-class
- kendo: 3rd-place, men's team competition; 3rd-place, men's individuals
- track and field: 3rd-place, men's 100m
- swimming: 3rd-place, men's 100m
- volleyball: 3rd-place, women's team
- softball: 3rd-place (women's)

Soccer, softball, kendo: just three of many sports to see during the event

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to watch all sports, as doing so is simply impossible considering the tight scheduling. Last year, I watched track and field, kendo, basketball, and volleyball. So this year, I chose to watch badminton, softball, baseball, and soccer. I suppose next year I'll try to catch judo, swimming, tennis, and table tennis.

Chutairen is a significant part of Japanese school life. It doesn't really compare to anything I experienced when I was a student in the U.S. and in my opinion highlights yet another major difference between the two countries. Japanese students are placed into a structured system in which consistency and tradition are top priorities. Students here are expected to join club activities. Each student is then expected to invest a great deal of time into mastering his or her one chosen extracurricular activity or sport. And every year seems to be built around major events and ceremonies like the school's Sports Day or the city's athletic tournament described here. Where certain values are obtained through such a system, no doubt others are sacrificed. For instance, it would be nice if students could participate in multiple sports so they can figure out which is really their favorite. But indeed other values are built--like unity, determination, and teamwork. And to be sure, I think it's great that the participation in school sports and activities is so high here. Maybe more schools in the U.S. can try it. But for now, I'll continue to enjoy the athletic tournament while I'm here.