In 1905 the Japanese Ministry of Education published a report from the research commitee on school gymnastics, play and games recommending Swedish gymnastics be adopted in schools. However it accepted that light exercises, which had been named “normal exercises” since 1886, could also be continued if modified. As a result, school teachers became confused as to whether light exercises or Swedish gymnastics had to be taught. Tetsubo taiso , meaning “iron bar exercises”, which had never been seen in Japan, were added to the syllabus revised in 1907, and adopted in 1910 by the attached middle school of Tokyo Higher Normal School. The aim of this article is to clarify the intention behind the adoption of tetsubo taiso by the school and its influence on the establishment of the 1913 syllabus authorized by the Ministry. The gymnastics stipulated in the syllabus was basically composed of both Swedish gymnastics and light exercises. In addition, tetsubo taiso was adopted as a component of German gymnastics because it was considered to facilitate better muscle strengthening than Indian club exercises. Indian club exercises involving handling of two clubs, as well as exercises on the Swedish gymnastic apparatus, were not deemed useful. The original intention of adopting tetsubo taiso was to reinforce the club exercises by continuous practice. However, tetsubo taiso was found not to strengthen muscles as well as club exercises because it was a type of wand exercise designed for improving posture focusing on the breast, in spite of the fact that its initial character, tetsu (“iron”), suggested a rigorous exercise employing a large, heavy bar. Therefore, its adoption by the school was considered a great mistake because its physical benefits were nowhere near as good as exercises on the Swedish gymnastic apparatus. However it was remarkable that light exercises were supported by the school, which was an experimental facility of the Higher Normal School that had been run as a core model for nationwide school instruction. Therefore the school gymnastics syllabus published in 1913 by the Ministry led to hesitation in prohibiting tools for light exercises, in spite of the fact that Swedish gymnastics formed the basis of the syllabus. Subsequently, tools for light exercises disappeared from schools soon after the syllabus was established.