Please note that as of this year (2009, held for the 57th time) the taikai format will change. More details soon.
Overview
The Zen Nippon Todofuken Taikai (都道府県) started in 1953 and lines up along with other big shiai like the Tozai (East-West) Taikai as one of the most famous/presitgious taikai to take part in.
“Todofuken (都道府県)” refers to Japans 7 sub-national jurisdictions: one “metropolis” (都 to), Tokyo; one “circuit” (道 dō), Hokkaidō; two urban prefectures (府 fu), Osaka and Kyoto; and 43 other prefectures (県 ken). This competition is thus rightly seen as the “All Japan Team Championships.”
Up until the 3rd taikai it was held in Kyoto but following that it has been run by the Osaka Kendo Renmei and almost exclusively been held in the city.
Students being unable to compete makes this competition one for adult professionals (see Member Makeup below). Many of these professionals take part in the Zen Nippon Senshuken Taikai as well as the World Championships.
Member Makeup
The makeup of members is highly controlled and is based on profession, age, gender, and grade. The 2 female positions were added starting from the 46th taikai.
Sempo: Female; 18-30yrs. Any occupation except High School or University students.
Jiho: Male; 18-30yrs. Policemen, Prison Guards, or Teachers*.
5 Sho: Female; Over 30yrs. Any occupation.
Chuken: Male; Any age. Teacher.
3 Sho: Male; Any age. Policemen or Prison Guards.
Fukusho: Male; Over 30yrs. Any occupation except Policemen, Prison Guards, or Teachers.
Taisho: Male; Over 40yrs. Minimum Kyoshi Nanadan.
* “teachers” includes people who work in boards of education, but do not include part time or temporary workers
Preliminaries
Usually each prefecture will have a YOSEN TAIKAI (priliminary) competition before the main event to decide members.
Historical Results (last 20 years only!)
56th (2008): Tokyo, Kyoto, Kanagawa+Chiba
55th (2007): Osaka, Chiba, Okayama+Ibaragi
54th (2006): Tokyo, Osaka, Okayama+Saitama
53rd (2005): Okayama, Shizuoka, Hyogo+Osaka
52nd (2004): Okayama, Chiba, Osaka+Hyogo
51st (2003): Osaka, Miyazaki, Tokyo+Fukuoka
50th (2002): Tokyo, Saitama, Hyogo+Hokkaido
49th (2001): Osaka, Mie, Kyoto+Fukuoka
48th (2000): Osaka, Tokyo, Hyogo+Kagoshima
47th (1999): Osaka, Aichi, Kanagawa+Fukuoka
46th (1998): Fukuoka, Osaka, Kanagawa+Nara
45th (1997): Hokkaido, Kochi, Aichi+Tokyo
44th (1996): Osaka, Hokkaido, Aichi+Kyoto
43rd (1995): Hokkaido, Aichi, Osaka+Aichi
42nd (1994): Hokkaido, Kyoto, Oita+Okayama
41st (1993): Fukuoka, Kyoto, Ibaragi
40th (1992): Tokyo, Kagawa, Ishikawa+Chiba
39th (1991): Tokyo, Okayama, Nara+Fukuoka
38th (1990): Saitama, Osaka, Hokkaido+Kanagawa
37th (1989): Kumamoto, Saitama, Hokkaido+Kanagawa
36th (1988): Tokyo, Kanagawa, Shiga+Kumamoto
35th (1987): Osaka, Hokkaido, Ibaragi+Akita
The prefectures with the best score are:
Osaka: 15 wins
Tokyo: 9 wins
Fukuoka: 5 wins
Kagoshima + Kumamoto: 4 wins
Links
* Results in English from 2004
* Results form the ZNKR
* Osaka Kendo Renmei
[...] the All Japan Companies taikai a couple of years ago, and even representing Osaka prefecture in the All Japan Team championships (Todofuken [...]
In the todofuken video link on this website, is that Teramoto Senshu seen a few times, if so it looks like he lost, who was the opponent?
Teramoto is only in that video for 1 ippon (starting at 0:43) and he wins it.
Ive been lucky enough to see his shiai up close for a number of years now and am v.familiar with his style. I’ve yet to see him lose a fight here in Osaka.
Hey when are these prelims you speak of and are they open for public viewing I would love to go watch.
The prelims are held in every prefecture all over the country and are – as far as my experience goes – entirely open to the public.
Where and when they are exactly held will depend on what prefecture you are looking at.
Ok cool I wouuld love to go see it. My friends father was Gunma prefecture champion a year or so ago and I was wondering what was after that for them. I would love to go watch.
Doesnt Teramoto lose a poinst at 3:31 on a hiki men? I hear his kiai