November the 3rd in Japan is a national holiday called Bunka-no-hi (文化の日), in English “Culture Day.” Kendo being an example of traditional Japanese culture, its fitting that the Zen Nippon Senshuken Taikai (All Japan Kendo Championships) are held on this day. 64 men from throughout Japan fight it out to find out who is the strongest kenshi in the nation.
One spot goes to prior years winner, and the other 63 slots are allocated between the other prefectures. The rule is generally one person per prefecture except for those areas that have an extremely large populations, for example Tokyo and Osaka. Each prefecture is generally free to decide the manner in which representatives are selected but it tends be be decided via a preliminary shiai in their home prefecture. As an example, lets look at how it works in Osaka.
Basically, its pretty easy – if you want to take part you apply, turn up, and fight it out. Osaka has 3 spots available so the tournament continues until there are four people and two shiai left. If you win this shiai, you are in. A final match to determine “1st place” does not take place, as its moot. The two losers of this semi-final match fight each other for the third spot. You win, you are in. You lose, you go home.
Actually, today was Osaka’s YOSEN-taikai (preliminaries) so thats why I am writing this post now.
As most people know, the Osaka police is a powerhouse in Japanese kendo. Last year, Osaka’s three representatives at the All-Japans (all policemen) took the 1st, and both 3rd places. The winner last year – Teramoto Shoji – sat on the sidelines today smiling and relaxing, safe in his position, while about 50 people fought it out for the 3 positions. 50 is very small for a shiai in Japan. The participants were mainly policemen, with a splattering of company team members, teachers, and the occasional normal person. The sheer reputation of the Osaka police scares the majority of people away.
As usual the pace was frantic and some amazing kendo was on display. Everyone that takes part is a potential winner and it makes for some dynamic shiai. Towards the end things get a lot slower as the kenshi start getting tired… and it becomes a lot more tactical.
For me, personally, the level of shiai is so high, and you can sit so close to the action, that it makes for a better competition to view (and certainly to photograph) than the All-Japans itself. That I know a number of the participants (personally, or because i’ve been watching them fight in various shiai over the years) also makes it a lot more interesting for me. I don’t have the need to go to Tokyo anyway, I can watch it on TV!
Both of last years 3rd placed competitors will not go to Tokyo this year: Sato did not compete, and Kiwada got knocked out. This means – apart from Teramoto – we will see some different competitors coming from Osaka this time. Of-course, all of them are policemen:
- Teramoto (寺本). Osaka police. Last years winner, this automatic entry;
- Tomari (泊). Osaka police. Fights in jodan;
- Matsumoto (松本). Osaka police. Also a jodan person;
- Hijioka (肘岡). Osaka police.
With four competitors hopefully Osaka will again stomp on the rest of Japan and take all of the medal positions this year!! An extremely tall order, but heres hoping!!!!
What do you think about Teramoto this year? Do you think he has what it takes to defend his title? His performance at the Todofuken taiaki wasn’t too impressive.
Let’s go, Aichi…to H*ll with Osaka!
Hiss Hiss
Boo Boo
whoa 2 jodans… let’s see how they do. i can see almost see all of the tokyo squad training their anti-jodan waza!
Matsumoto has taken part in the all-japans before, but I dont think Tomari has. He is v.v.v.good and finishes in or around the top place in every shiai ive seen him in over the last few years. One to watch for.