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Sport Kenjutsu

Learn about the exciting new sport, "Kendo of 21st Century"

 

By Dr. Ivica Zdravkovic,

Kenjutsu shihan and Sports Chanbara yudansha,

CEO of Serbian Budo Council, President of Serbian Sports Chanbara Association,

Founder of Kenjutsu International Association of Instructors,

one of the founders of European Sports Chanbara Union, member of International Sports Chanbara Association.

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What is Sport Kenjutsu?

 

    Sport Kenjutsu is an attractive new sport created in Japan and refined in America and Europe. Its origins are in Sports Chanbara, a full-contact fencing method devised by Japanese master Tetsundo Tanabe. Today Sports Chanbara has several separate disciplines, but only a few of them are a reflection of old Japanese martial arts. Still, the philosophy used in Sports Chanbara, under the International Sports Chanbara Association (ISCA), was the inspiration for creation of Sport Kenjutsu (a.k.a. Combat Kenjutsu in USA).  This simple, yet ingenious philosophy says: instead of covering your body with heavy and expensive armor, like in kendo, and using hard bamboo swords (shinai) or even wooden swords (bokken), use a soft padded sword which will not injure you, and use a minimum of protective equipment! So, a whole palette of soft weapons was created including: Choken (literally "long sword")- sometimes even called Ju Shinai (soft shinai), Kodachi (short sword), tanto (knife), etc.

 

    What is the difference between Sports Chanbara disciplines and Sport Kenjutsu? Sports Chanbara often allows certain techniques and strategies which would never be possible if real swords were used. Such techniques are "whipping" your opponent with a series of one-handed strikes (simply impossible with a heavy samurai sword), striking with the back of the blade, striking with your own sword to the floor to distract your opponent, etc. Also, in Sports Chanbara any strike (cut) is a point, regardless of the area that was struck. It often happens that one competitor sacrifices his head or neck, just to cut the opponent's leg one millisecond sooner. Of course, even if you cut the leg of your opponent, if his sword is already falling on your neck, nothing will stop that sword. Since in most Sports Chanbara tournaments the first point actually decides the winner, it is obvious that winning in Sports Chanbara frequently does not reflect the skill and "lethality" of opponents. Even more, in many cases when strikes are almost simultaneous, referees have only a split second to decide whose strike has landed first. Error may occur. They can, of course, decide it was a simultaneous action and declare "aiuchi" - on World Championships it means both competitors lose! But is it really fair? If one competitor delivers a powerful strike to the head of his opponent, and at the same time receives a "cut" to his left hand, is it really a "tie"? One small mistake from referees can cost you the whole tournament, and you can get eliminated in the first round although you have spent months in preparations. In Sport Kenjutsu it is different.

 

    Sport Kenjutsu offers a more realistic approach simply by forbidding certain techniques and strategies. You cannot sacrifice your head just to cut your opponent's ankle or wrist. You can - but you will receive one point, and your opponent will get two. Do it once more - and you lose. You cannot use your sword like a fly-trap; moves in Sport Kenjutsu are more than similar to kendo, and the sword is treated like a real live blade. Leg strikes (cuts) are allowed, any stab counts (not like in kendo, where you must aim for the throat and nothing else), and it is possible to win in many ways. Still, the fight is done in harmony with most of the classical principles of Japanese sword arts. Therefore, this sport uses the name "kenjutsu" as it revives the old "art of sword."

 

    Another advantage of Sport Kenjutsu rules is that you get several chances during the same match. You cannot lose because of a single fortunate move from your opponent, a single error of yours, or (worst of all) because of a misjudgment from the referees. You can receive a cut to your hand, but your opponent has to repeat it four times to achieve victory. On the other hand, if you make two strong cuts or stabs to your opponent's head or body, you are victorious.

 

    This sport is not only for those who are fast, it also requires skill and lots of tactics. Maybe the best description ever for what is real kenjutsu lies in the ancient principle of Japanese swordsmanship formulated as "Dai Kyo Soku Kei." Literally, it states "Big, Strong, Fast, Smooth." In Sport Kenjutsu there is no place for sneaking poses, lightning cuts with no power, slow dance or disharmonic moves. You must be "tall," straight, move with ease and enormous strength at the same time, be explosive, and still put all of your power in your strikes. The one who unifies these qualities becomes a true champion. Finally, unlike in Sports Chanbara, in Sport Kenjutsu someone's mastery cannot be challenged that easy by any beginner. One who has trained for years cannot lose by accident from some newcomer. That makes the Sport Kenjutsu a true martial art - not just a competitive game where success comes out of muscle strength, natural reflexes, speed and current body shape.

 

    Naturally, it is not the intention of this article to diminish qualities of Sports Chanbara. On the contrary! Sports Chanbara has many advantages and is a real inspiration for hundreds of thousands of sportsmen. Not only that it served as an origin for Sport Kenjutsu, but it also has some very "real" disciplines, like Choken Ryote and Choken Iai, which require skills and knowledge almost identical to classical sword arts. Sports Chanbara gave us the "soft sword," and that is more than enough to place Tanabe sensei in the gallery of martial arts and combat sports geniuses. It is said more than once from those who practice Sports Chanbara, Sport Kenjutsu, and from those who practice other Japanese sword arts and have seen Choken in action: "If old samurai only had the knowledge and technology of producing Choken, they would sure use it!" The practical and often innovative spirit of Japanese medieval warriors would surely not discard this amazingly simple method of having full-contact sparring and excellent practice. After all, Sports Chanbara was invented by Tanabe sensei and his associates; Japanese traditionalists who were all trained in classical budo arts, but have realized modern needs and used modern opportunities.

 

    Like Sports Chanbara, Sport Kenjutsu is very dynamic, attractive, and interesting. It is fun, it is an excellent aerobic exercise, and at the same time it is not so physically demanding since most fights last only a minute or two. Sport Kenjutsu is described by master Dana Abbott, International Director of ISCA and head of USA Sports Chanbara and Combat Kenjutsu, as "the ultimate game of physical chess." It speaks more than enough about the endless possibilities of enjoyment in this sport. It is safe, cheap, and ideal for all ages. Finally, Sport Kenjutsu is sometimes an excellent way for beginners to get introduced to other sword arts of Japanese origin, including kendo, ancient (koryu) kenjutsu, iaido, etc.

 

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Tips for making Sport Kenjutsu equipment

 

 

Making Choken (foamed sword) in 10 easy steps:

1. Use plastic plumbing pipe 3/4 inch in diameter (21mm). Cut a piece of 60cm in length.

2. Prepare a piece of fiberglass 40cm long. You can use spare tips for fishing poles, these are sold in fishing stores.

3. Attach the fiberglass to your pipe. Push some 5 or 7cm of fiberglass inside the pipe and fix it with glue tape.

4. Prepare a sponge tube 70cm long, with the same inner diameter of 21mm. It is sold as a thermo-isolation tube for plumbing.

5. Put the sponge tube on your plastic pipe. Note that the last 5-7cm of the tube will remain empty. This safety zone will be used for stabs. Also note that 30cm of plastic tube will not be covered - that will be the handle of your sword. Total length of the sword will be 1 meter (100cm)

6. Wrap the sponge tube with plastic sticky tape. This will protect sponge from damages.

7. Prepare simple cover (coat) for your sword, made out of strong fabric.

8. Pull over the coat ("dress up" your sword). This adds more protection to the sponge and saves your skin if you get a strike. Be sure you use hypo-allergic and non-abrasive textile for your sword.

9. Fix the coat for plastic tube with more tape.

10. Add soft (sponge) handguard (tsuba) to the sword. Your Choken is ready.

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For sparring and competitions use some of these recommended light masks (headgears):

 

 

You may also use classical Kendo headgear (Men). Remember: since Choken is soft and cannot really injure you, the sole purpose of headgear is protection of your eyes, protection of your eardrums (in case you receive strike directly over your ear), and protection of your face skin from scratching with superficial strikes. Face shields can be made out of Plexiglas, PET plastic, or simple wire. Just attach them over any ear-protective mask (like the one for taekwondo, or your home-made masks like the black ones on the photos above - and that's it! Please, do not use biker's helmets :) All these types of headgears are mass-produced and sold by various member organizations of International Sports Chanbara Association.

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Finally, you are ready for Sport Kenjutsu. Enjoy!

 

 

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Competition Rules
 

1. Concept & Categories

 

Competition is done in individual concurrence, by swordfight with Choken (foamed sword replica, 100cm in length). In order to simulate only those movements which could be done with real sword (shinken, katana), all techniques must be performed with both hands on handle (ryote), except the strikes to opponent's legs and stabs to torso and/or head. After one-handed technique is done (katate), weapon must be grabbed with both hands again, in one of five basic guards (gedan, chudan, jodan, hasso, waki).

 

Contestants will be divided by age and sex. Age categories are:

1) Seniors (age 18 and above) (e.g.. for season 2006: all born 1988 or earlier)

2) Juniors (ages 14-17) (e.g.. for season 2006: all born 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992)

3) Cadets (age 10-13) (e.g.. for season 2006: all born 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996)

4) Children (age 9 and under) (e.g.. for season 2006: all born 1997 or later)

One contestant can compete only in one age category. Two bronze medals will be given in every category. If there is only one competitor in one category, he/she will join the older or younger category, depending on the decision of organizer and the supreme referee.

 

 

2. Equipment

 

- Contestants must wear appropriate clean martial arts uniform (budogi and belt in any color). It is allowed to wear hakama.

- All jewelry, metal hair pins, watches etc. are forbidden.

- All contestants must have an approved headgear (men) with a face shield made of plexiglas, plastic grill or wire. Kendo Men will also be allowed.

- All Choken will be examined by referees. Length weight, flexibility and other characteristics must be same as weapons used in Sports Chanbara under ISCA.

- Gloves are allowed. Other protective equipment (groin protectors, chest protectors etc.) must be hidden under budogi.

- Contestants are barefooted.

- Contestants are marked with white or red scarf, attached on the back of their headgears; alternatively, they have white and red belts.

 

 

3. Fighting area

 

Fighting area has a square shape, on wooden or similar floor, size of 6x6 to 8x8 meters, marked with white band 5cm wide. There will be marked spots inside the area for contestants and Chief Referee (CR).

 

 

4. Goals of match

 

Victory is achieved by collecting more points within effective time, or even before the end of that time, if the contestant collects 4 (FOUR) points. Techniques qualified as Ippon bring 2 points (strikes and stabs to the head, neck and/or body), and techniques qualified as Wazaari bring 1 point (strikes or stabs to hands and legs). Points are awarded for execution of precise strikes, or after opponent's forbidden act.

 

Victory can be also achieved after disqualification of the opponent, or if he/she is unable to continue due to accidental injury, exhaustion, etc.

 

Length of match is 3 minutes effective time, with option of adding more extra time. More frequently, after a tie in regular time, the rule of "golden point" ("sudden death") is applied: the first one who makes a point wins.

 

 

5. Referees

 

Referee panel consist of one Chief Referee (CR) and two Assistant referees (AR). All referees have one white and one red flag.

 

Chief Referee is running the match from within the fighting area, by giving commands for beginning, break, continuation, extension and/or end of match. CR awards points, give explanations to the scorekeeper on value of points awarded, verifies the majority of flag votes after certain action (strike), gives warnings or penalties...

 

CR may disqualify the contestant in following situations: for bleeding, for unsportsmanlike misbehaving, or for other serious reasons, when his ARs are unanimously agreeing with such decision.

 

AR is helping the CR in his work throughout the match. AR is giving points or signalizing infractions and consults with CR when invited.

 

If AR believes there was a point strike, or an infraction of rules has been made, he informs the CR about this by waving/rising his flag. CR must confirm that he has seen this signalization from AR.

 

 

6. Scoring areas & Points

 

Scoring areas (strikes and targets) are:

1. Head (men) - Ippon (2 points)

2. Torso (do) - Ippon (2 points)

3. Stab/thrust to head or torso (tsuki) - Ippon (2 points)

4. Hand (kote) - Wazaari (1 point)

5. Leg (ashi) - Wazaari (1 point)

    Points are awarded after voting from referees, by simple majority of two flags (CR and AR rise flags of same color as the color of contestant who made the point)

CR will stop the contest whenever he or any AR signalizes the point.

CR will then inform the scorekeeper which of the contestants is given a point (with command "Ipon" and by rising a flag towards the contestant).

 

Aiuchi is "mutual simultaneous strike" and it will be scored as a point for both contestants. Each contestant will be given as many points as the value of his/her technique  (Ippon - 2 points, or Wazaari - 1 point).

 

Atouchi is "delayed strike", which was obviously performed after the first strike is delivered. Referees must make a difference between aiuchi and atouchi.  When there is a very small delay and the first technique is Wazari, while the second is Ippon, this will be considered aiuchi. This specially refers to situation where slightly delayed cut would be fatal in real situation.

 

Following techniques will not be scored:

 

1) (Asai) - a shallow strike, which in real situation would not make any other injury except skin cuts or cutting clothes.

2) (Karui) - weak strike/cut, which in real situation would not injure muscles, tendons, bones, large blood vessels or internal organs.

3) (Mune) -  strike performed with back side of weapon, which would not cut in real situation.

 

Match will not be stopped if any of contestants drops his/her weapon. Any strike made in such situation will be considered as Ipon.

 

Match is also not stopped when/if one or both contestants fall to the floor. Any strike made during this period will be considered as Ipon. This rule will not be applied if any of contestants is injured due to a fall.

 

 

7. Infractions and forbidden actions

 

1. Showing disrespect (with gestures, mimics or verbally) towards the opponent, referees or audience.

2. Stepping outside the fighting area with both feet

3. Deliberate throwing of weapon or other unsportsmanlike behavior

4. Use of forbidden techniques (hand strikes, kicking, grabbing opponent's weapon, grabbing own "blade", striking with handle, rushing or jumping on opponent with intention of making injury, delivering any strikes to groins, deliberate hitting with weapon to the floor, using forbidden one-handed techniques or making series of one-handed techniques, initiating or finishing double-hand techniques from one-handed guard, etc.)

 

For minor infractions CR will give only a warning, and if repeated, CR will announce "Shido" and give Wazari to the opponent. After penalty point has been given, and there are more repeated light infractions and/or light forbidden actions (stepping out from fighting area, or forbidden one-handed swinging and striking, etc.), or after first serious forbidden action, CR will announce "Chui" and award Ipon to the opponent. After third time repeated light forbidden act, second time repeated serious forbidden act, or first time performed heavy forbidden act, an automatic victory will be given to the opponent (CR will announce "Hansoku Make", which means disqualification, and will award victory to the opponent)..

 

 

8. Course of the match, commands and signs

 

Contestants are bowing to the fighting area before they enter it. Then, they assume their positions, and following the command "Rei" from CR, they first bow to CR, then to each other.

 

Contestant wearing red scarf (or belt) will be on the right side of CR, and the other (white) contestant will be on the left side of CR. CR will command "Kamaeto', ordering both contestants to assume fighting guards, and then he will order beginning with "Hajime". Break will be announced with "Yame". After break for awarding points or penalties, CR will again use the command "Hajime".

 

Infraction or forbidden act will be signalized by rising both flags above the head (or waving flags). CR will use this sign when he commands "Yame" for other reasons too. For Ippon hand will be raised vertically above the head, for Wazaari hand will be raised horizontally in shoulder level.

 

If during one action there was no point scored, CR and ARs may wave their flags pointed to the floor, thus signalizing that there was no point ("Torimasen")

Victory will be announced with "Nokachi" and rising an appropriate flag towards the winner.

 

 

9. Other rules

 

Current score should be seen to the audience on an official semaphore.

Other rules will be defined by the Supreme Referee and the organizer of the tournament.

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