Chapter 35: Kendo Challenge? I Never Agreed to This
"Master, why are you still here? Hurry up and get to the dojo! Have you forgotten what you planned for today?"
A young man suddenly burst into the forge.
Shunichi, who had been testing his sword, and Satoru, who was watching, both turned their heads instinctively.
"Kotetsu? What are you doing here?"
Shunichi sheathed Suzumushi, his eyes filled with confusion.
The young man before him was Gojo Kotetsu, a paper cutter at the Gojo family's kendo dojo and one of his most promising disciples.
In modern Japan, traditional sword schools classified their disciples into ranks such as paper cutter, catalog, Kaiden, and Menkyo Kaiden.
To put it simply:
Paper Cutter (紙切): An apprentice still in the observation phase, only practicing basic forms.
Catalog (目録): Officially accepted into the school and allowed to learn its true techniques.
Kaiden (皆伝): A fully trained swordsman permitted to use the school's name in formal competitions.