Are you starting out in your kendo competition career or have watched a kendo competition and asked yourself why a point was, or was not awarded?
Here are two pieces of very good information for you to use that may assist:
1. Yuko-Datotsu. The Elements:
Ever wondered about Article 12 in the FIK Regulations of Kendo Shiai and Shinpan?
Here is the clause:
Article 12: Yuko-datotsu is defined as an accurate strike or thrust made onto Datotsu-bui of the opponent’ s Kendo-gu with Shinai at its Datotsu-bu in high spirits and correct posture, being followed by Zanshin.
To win a point in kendo shiai, all those criteria must be met. This is a challenge for both players and for shinpan. So to assist understanding of the requirements to award and to promote “good” kendo, the All Japan Kendo Federation developed a graphical representation of that rule. Click the image for a full size A4 PDF.
2. The First Steps to Becoming a Kendo Referee
The demands on kendo shinpan can be quite high at times. There is a lot to consider as they work to reward good effective kendo. The rules are also quite comprehensive and the pronouncements are all in Japanese, just to add to the task!
The late Sensei Terry Holt, from Mumeishi Kendo Club in London compiled a very useful booklet to help you. Some of you may have met Sensei Holt on one of his numerous visits to Melbourne. His handy booklet is intended to help kendo players who will soon be experienced enough to commence training as kendo shinpan. This third edition from 2011 is free to download as a PDF. It was designed to be printed as an A5 booklet on normal A4 paper, then folded and stapled. Click the image for the PDF. 