Foreword
This book is a revision of the rulebook of the International Kendo
Federation (FIK) “The Regulations of Kendo Shiai and Shinpan. The
Subsidiary Rules of Kendo Shiai and Shinpan” published on December
7, 2006. The original version was translated from the rulebook of the All
Japan Kendo Federation issued on March 26, 1997. The alterations
made in this book are mainly linguistic in nature, and no majorchanges were made.
You will find some sentences to be not exactly translated word forword from corresponding Japanese ones, but all the sentences arecorrectly presented to convey what are to be done and how.
For your convenience, Japanese words and phrases that are normallyused in Japanese are shown in italics and their English counterparts are
given in Glossary on the last page.

序

言

此の冊子は2006年12月７日発行の国際剣道連盟（FIK）「剣道試
合・審判規則並びに剣道試合・審判細則」の改定規則集である。
初版は1997年３月26日発行の全日本剣道連盟・規則集を翻訳したものであった。この冊子に反映された改定点は主に言語上のもので内容に主要な変更はない。
二、三の文章は対応する日本語のそれを逐語的に翻訳したものではないが、文言は全て為すべきこととその方法について正確に述べている。
読者の便宜の為に、通常日本語のままで使用される幾つかの日
本語の語句はそのままイタリック体で示し、最後の頁に語類集としてそれ等の相対する英語表現を記載した。

CONTENTS
The Regulations of Kendo Shiai
and Shinpan

The Subsidiary Rules of Kendo
Shiai and Shinpan

Article 1 The Purpose of the“Regulations”....................1
Part I: Shiai
Chapter 1: General Rules
Article 2 Shiai-jo...............................1
Article 3 Shinai.................................1
Article 4 Kendo-gu............................2
Article 5 Uniform..............................2

Chapter 2 : Shiai
Section 1: Matters Relative to Shiai
Article 6 Duration of Shiai...............3
Article 7 Decision of Victory............3
Article 8 Dantai-shiai.......................4
Article 9 The Start and End of
Shiai...................................5
Article 10 Suspension andresumption of Shiai...........5
Article 11 Request for Suspension of
Shiai...................................5
Section 2: Yuko-datotsu
Article 12 Yuko-datotsu.......................5

Article 13 Datotsu-bu of Shinai..........6
Article 14 Datotsu-bui.........................6
Chapter 3: Prohibitions
Section 1: Prohibited Acts

Article 1: Shiai-jo
Article 2: Shinai
Article 3: Kendo-gu
Article 4: Mejirushi of Shiai-sha
Article 5: Nafuda for Shiai-sha
Article 6: The specifications of
Shinpan-ki and others
Article 7: Use of supporters andothers
Article 8: Entering and leaving
Shiai-jo and Shiai-sha
manners

Article 9: Hantei in Article 7-5 ofthe “Regulations”

Article 10: Yukodatotsu in Article 12of the “Regulations”
Article 11: Yuko Datotsu in particularsituations
Article 12: Invalid Datotsu
Article 13: Datotsu-bui in Article 14of the “Regulations”

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the Subsidiary Rules

Article 15 Drug Abuse........................7
Article 16 Insulting or Offensive
Behavior.............................7
Article 17 Miscellaneous
Prohibitions.......................7

Article 14: Prohibited drugs in Article
15 of the “Regulations”

Section 2: Penalties
Article 18 Taijo....................................8
Article 19 Fusei-yogu...........................8
Article 20 Others.................................9Part II: Shinpan
Chapter 1: General Rules
Article 21 Composition of the
Shinpan Group................10
Article 22 Shinpan-cho......................10
Article 23 Shinpan-shunin................11
Article 24 Shinpan-in........................11
Article 25 Kakari-in Group..............12
Chapter 2: Shinpan
Section 1: Matters Relative
to Shinpan
Article 26 Decisions on Yukodatotsu..............................14
Article 27 Torikeshi of Yukodatotsu..............................14
Article 28 Mistakes in Decisions for
Yuko-datotsu and Other
Judgements......................14
Article 29 Procedures for
Shinpan............................15

Section 2: Shinpan-in Procedures
Article 30 Injury or Accident............16

Article 15: Jogai in Article 17-4 ofthe “Regulations”
Article 16: Other acts violative of theRules in Article 17-7 ofthe “Regulations”
Article 17: Sosai of Hansoku in
Article 20 of the“Regulations”

Article 18: Duties of Shinpan-cho
Article 19: Signal of Shinpan-cho forthe beginning of Shiai
Article 20: Duties of Shinpan-shunin
Article 21: Duties of Shinpan-in
Article 22: Composition and duties ofKakari-in in Article 25 of
the “Regulations”
Article 23: Uniform of Shinpan-in

Article 24: Torikeshi of Yuko-datotsu
in Article 27 of the“Regulations”
Article 25: Mistakes in decisions on
Yuko-datotsu and othersin Article 28 of the“Regulations”
Article 26: Wakare in Article 29-4 ofthe “Regulations”
Article 27: Procedures for improperlyoriented Tsuru

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the Subsidiary Rules

Article 31 Kiken................................17

Article 28: Kiken in Article 31 of the“Regulations”

Article 32 Points gained by Shiaifuno-sha or Kikensha....................................17
Article 33 Points or acquired Statusof the Offender................17
Section 3: Gogi or Igi
Article 34 Gogi...................................17
Article 35 Igi......................................18
Article 36 Doubts..............................18

Chapter 3: Senkoku and Use of
Shinpan-ki
Article 37 Senkoku............................18
Article 38 Use of Shinpan-ki............18
Chapter 4: Supplement
Article 39 Supplementary
Matters............................18
Appendices.........................................19
Table 1: Senkoku by Shinpan-ki.......20
Table 2: Specification of
Shinpan-ki.........................22
Figure 1: Shiai-jo..............................23
Figure 2: Name of Parts of
Shinai...............................23
Figure 3: Kendo-gu andDatotsu-bui......................24
Figure 4: Nafuda...............................24
Figure 5: Specification of
Flags.................................24

Article 29: Filing Igi against possible
mistakes in Decision by
Shinpan-in in Article 36of the “Regulations”

Regulations

the Subsidiary Rules（The Purpose of the “Regulations”）
Article 1: The purpose of the“Regulations” is to get shiai-sha tocompete fairly in shiai of the
INTERNATIONAL KENDOFEDERATION (FIK), in accordancewith the principles of the sword,
and to properly referee the shiai
without prejudice.
PartⅠ: Shiai
Chapter 1: General Rules（Shiai-jo）
Article 2: As a rule, the shiai-jo
should have a wooden floor, and its
specifications shall be as follows:
1. The shiai-jo should be a square ora rectangle with sides of 9 to 11
meters in length inclusive of thewidth of the line.
2. The center of the shiai-jo should
be marked by a cross, and two
kaishi-sen should be marked on
both sides of the center at anequal distance. The length of the
kaishi-sen and the distance
between them are stipulated in
the “Subsidiary Rules.”Article 1: The specifications of theshiai-jo prescribed in Article 2 of the“Regulations” are as follows:
1. A space of at least 1.5 meters wide
should be kept outside of theshiai-jo.
2. The width of the lines should be 5
to 10 centimeters, and the color
thereof should be white as a
general rule.

3. The cross at the center of theshiai-jo, the length of the kaishisen and the distance between
them are shown in Figure 1.
（Shinai）
Article 3: The shinai should be madefrom bamboo, or from synthetic
material as a substitute for bamboothat is approved by the ALL JAPANK E N D O F E D E R AT I O N . T h e

Article 2: The specifications for shinai
refer red to in Ar ticle 3 of the“Regulations” shall be as follows:
1. The shinai shall consist of fourslats and should not include— 1 —Regulations

the Subsidiary Rules

str ucture, length, weight, anddiameter of the shinai, andspecifications for tsuba are stipulated
in the “Subsidiary Rules.”therein other objects other thanthe core inside the sakigawa, andthe chigiri at the end of the tsuka.
The names of the respective partsof the shinai are indicated in
Figure 2.
2. Specifications for the shinai are
indicated in Table 2, A and B. The
length indicated therein refers to
the total length of the shinai
inclusive of its accessories; andthe weight to the total weight
thereof inclusive of its accessories
other than the tsuba. The
diameter of the shinai refers to
the minimum diameter of thesakigawa.
3. The tsuba should be round in
shape, and made of leather orsynthetic material; it should be 9
centimeters or smaller indiameter, and be fixed onto theshinai.
Article 3: Kendo-gu referred to in
Article 4 of the “Regulations” isillustrated in Figure 3.

（Kendo-gu）
Article 4: The kendo-gu shall consistof men, kote, do and tare.
（Uniform）
Article 5: The kendo uniform shallconsist of a kendo-gi and hakama.

Article 4: Each shiai-sha shall wear amejirushi, a strip of red or whitecloth with a total length of 70
centimeters and width of 5centimeters. The mejirushi areattached by being folded in half at
the crossing point of the do strings.
Article 5: The nafuda, as illustrated
in Figure 4, shall be affixed to thecenter panel of the tare.
Article 6: The specifications forshinpan-ki are shown in Figure 5.

— 2 —Regulations

the Subsidiary Rules

Chapter 2: Shiai
Section 1: Matters Relative
to Shiai（Duration of Shiai）
Article 6: The standard duration forshiai shall be five minutes, andencho shall be three minutes. The
time from the senkoku for yukodatotsu or suspension pronounced
by the shushin, until resumption of
the shiai, shall not be counted in theshiai duration.
（Decision of Victory）
Article 7: Victory in shiai shall bedecided in accordance with thefollowing rules:
1. In principle, victory shall bedecided in accordance with thesanbon-shobu rule; however, it
may be decided in accordance with
the ippon-shobu rule depending on
the managerial needs for eachtournament.
2. In sanbon-shobu, the shiai-sha
who first scores two points within
the shiai duration shall be thewinner. However, if a shiai-sha
scores one point without allowing

The standard size for the flag
handles shall be 1.5 centimeters indiameter.
Article 7: Shiai-sha may use
supporters or other items only incase of medical need, provided thatthey are tidy and not hazardous tothe opponent, and subject toapproval by the shinpan-shunin or
shinpan-cho.
Article 8: The shiai-sha proceduresfor entering and leaving the shiai-jo,
and the manner for rei may be
specified at each tournament.

— 3 —Regulations

the Subsidiary Rules

the other any point within theshiai duration, the former shallbe the winner.
3. In case victory has not been
decided within the shiai duration,encho may be employed wherein
the shiai-sha who first scores one
p o i n t s h a l l b e t h e w i n n e r.
Otherwise, victory may be
decided by hantei or by chusen, or
the shiai may be declared ahikiwake.
4. In case victory has been decided
by hantei or by chusen, the winnershall be awarded one point.
5. In the case of hantei, shinpan-in
shall take into consideration, firstthe skills of the shiai-sha , then
their attitude in the shiai.

Article 9: The hantei prescribed in
Article 7 Item 5 of the “Regulations”
shall be based on the following
criteria:
1. In the case where a shiai-sha
makes datotsu nearly equal toyuko-datotsu , his or her skill
should be regarded as superior.
2. In the case where a shiai-sha issuperior in posture and movement,
his or her attitude should be
regarded as superior.

（Dantai-shiai）
Article 8: Dantai-shiai shall be
carried out in accordance with thefollowing rules; however, the rules
may be modified at each tournament
if necessary:
1. The team which has morewinners than the other shall be
the victor. In the case where thenumber of winners turns out tobe equal, the team which has— 4 —Regulations

the Subsidiary Rules

scored more points than the othershall be the victor. Furthermore,in case the number of scoredpoints happens to be equal, one
daihyosha from each team shallfight to decide the match.
2 . In the case of the kachinuki
method, the shiai-sha continues tofight for as long as he or she keeps
winning. The team which defeats
the last shiai-sha of the opponent’s
team shall be the victor.
（The Start and End of Shiai）
Article 9: The start and end of shiai
shall be declared by the shushin.
（Suspension and Resumption of
Shiai）
Article 10: Suspension of a shiai canbe declared by the shinpan-in, while
resumption of a shiai shall be
pronounced by the shushin.
（Request for Suspension of Shiai）
Article 11: In case a shiai-sha
becomes unable to continue fighting
due to an accident etc., that shiaisha may request a suspension of theshiai.
Section 2: Yuko-datotsu（Yuko-datotsu）
Article 12: A yuko-datotsu is defined as
an accurate strike or thrust madeonto designated targets (datotsu-bui)of the opponent’s kendo-gu . The
strike or thrust must be executed inhigh spirits with correct posture,using the striking section (datotsu-bu)
of the shinai with the correct angle(hasuji), and followed by zanshin.

Article 10: The “accurate” strikeprescribed in Article 12 of the“Regulations” means a strike madein the same direction as the jin-buof the shinai.
Article 11: The following datotsu
shall be valid:
1. Datotsu made to the opponent— 5 —Regulations

the Subsidiary Rules
immediately after the opponent
has let go of his or her shinai.
2. Datotsu made simultaneously tothe opponent stepping out of theshiai-jo.
3. Datotsu made immediately after
the opponent has fallen down.
Article 12: Datotsu in the following
cases shall not be valid:
1. Ai-uchi.
2. As the datotsu is made, theattacker is checked at the upperf ro n t b o d y b y t h e t i p o f t h erecipient’s shinai, who is in highspirits and in the right posture.

（Datotsu-bu of the Shinai）
Article 13: The datotsu-bu of the shinai
shall be centered on the striking
part (monouchi) of the jinbu on the
opposite side of the cord (tsuru).
（Datotsu-bui）
Article 14: The datotsu-bui are as
follows (Figure 3):
1. Men-bu, (shomen and sayu-men)
2. Kote-bu , ( migi-kote and hidarikote)

Article 13: The datotsu-bui prescribedin Article 14 of the “Regulations”
are shown in Figure 3. The target
areas of men and kote are as follows:
1. Right and left men shall be above
the temples.
2. The target area for kote shall be
the right forearm in the case ofchudan-no-kamae (the left
forearm if the opponent holds hisor her shinai with the left handforward), or the left and rightforearms in the case of otherkamae.

3. Do-bu, (migi-do and hidari-do)— 6 —Regulations

the Subsidiary Rules

4. Tsuki-bu, (tsuki-dare)
Chapter 3: Prohibitions
Section 1: Prohibited Acts
（Drug Abuse）
Article 15: Shiai-sha are prohibitedfrom abusing drugs.
（Insulting or Offensive Behavior）
Article 16: Shiai-sha are prohibitedfrom insulting or acting offensively
towards shinpan-in or opponents.
（Miscellaneous Prohibitions）
Article 17: Shiai-sha are prohibitedfrom engaging in the following acts:
1. Use of non-regulation kendo
equipment.
2. Tripping the opponent or sweeping
their legs.
3. Unfairly shoving or pushing the
opponent out of the shiai-jo.
4. Jogai, or stepping out of the shiaijo while the match is in play.

Article 14: Prohibited drugs related
to Article 15 of the “Regulations”
are specified separately.

Article 15: Jogai as prescribed in
Article 17, Item 4 of the“Regulations” is specified as follows:
1. Having one foot totally outside
the boundary line.
2. Falling on the floor with a part ofthe body outside the boundaryline.
3. Supporting the body with a part ofthe body or shinai outside theboundary line.

5. Letting go of the shinai.
6. Requesting for suspension of theshiai without a justifiable reason.
7. Committing other acts that violate
the “Regulations”.

— 7 —Regulations

the Subsidiary Rules
Article 16: Prohibited acts prescribedin Article 17, Item 7 of the“Regulations” shall include thefollowing:
1. Putting one’s hand on the
opponent, or holding the opponent
in one’s arms.
2. Taking hold of the opponent’s
shinai , or grasping one’s own
shinai on its jin-bu.
3. Taking hold of the opponent’s
shinai under one’s arm.
4. Intentionally putting one’s shinai
on the opponent’s shoulder.
5. Lying face down after falling on
the floor without counteracting
the opponent.
6. Intentionally wasting time.
7. Doing inappropriate tsubazeriai or
datotsu.

Section 2: Penalties（Taijo）
Article 18: A shiai-sha who commits
any of the hansoku prescribed in
Articles 15 and 16 shall lose theshiai and be ordered to retire fromthe shiai area (taijo). The points or
status hitherto gained by theviolator shall be totally nullified,
whereas the opponent will be given
two points.
（Fusei-yogu）
Article 19: A shiai-sha who commits
the hansoku stipulated in Article 17,
Item 1 shall receive the penalties
outlined below. In cases whereby
both shiai-sha commit such
— 8 —Regulations

the Subsidiary Rules

hansoku , both shall lose the shiai
and their points or status gained
hitherto shall be nullified.
1. A shiai-sha who uses prohibited
kendo equipment ( fusei yogu )shall lose the shiai. Any points or
status acquired hitherto shall benullified, whereas the opponent
will be given two points.
2. The penalty stipulated in thepreceding paragraph will not be
retroactive to the preceding shiai
wherein the use of prohibited
kendo equipment had not been
detected.
3. A shiai-sha who is detected usingprohibited equipment will bedisallowed from participating in
the remaining shiai; however, theviolator may be substituted indantai-shiai unless otherwise
stipulated.

（Others）
Article 20:
1. In the case whereby a shiai-sha
commits two hansoku stipulated
under Article 17, Items 2 to 7, theopponent shall be given one point.
The number of such hansoku shallbe cumulative during the round of
the concerned shiai . However,when both shiai-sha have gained
one point respectively, a second
hansoku simultaneously
committed by both shiai-sha shallbe cancelled ( sosai ) and not
subject to penalization.
2. In the hansoku stipulated in

Article 17: Sosai applied to simultaneous hansoku as prescribed in
Article 20 of the “Regulations” shallbe implemented as follows:
1. In the case of the first sosai, thesenkoku of hansoku shall be first
addressed to the shiai-sha on the
red side and then to the whiteside, followed by another senkoku
of sosai.
2. In the case of a second or
subsequent sosai, the senkoku andsignalling with the shinpan-ki
shall be made simultaneously.

— 9 —Regulations

the Subsidiary Rules

Article 17, Item 4, when bothshiai-sha step out of the shiai-jo,
the one who steps out first shallbe subject to penalization.
3. In the case of Article 17, Item 4,
when the senkoku for yukodatotsu has been revoked, theinfringement shall not be subject
to penalization.
4. In the case of the hansoku
stipulated in Article 17, Item 5,
when the opponent scores a yukodatotsu immediately after the
infringement, it will not be
subject to penalization.
PartⅡ: Shinpan
Chapter 1: General Rules（Composition of the Shinpan
Group）
Article 21: The shinpan group shallconsist of the shinpan-cho, shinpanshunin (appointed only when two or
more shiai-jo are set up), andshinpan-in.
（Shinpan-cho）
Article 22: The shinpan-cho has theauthority to make sure that shiai
are conducted fairly.

Article 18: The duties of the shinpancho are as follows:
1. To ensure strict application of the“Regulations” and “Subsidiary
Rules” to shiai.
2. To ensure the smooth progress ofshiai.
3. To render decisions on igi.
4. To decide on matters which havenot been prescribed in the“Regulations” or “Subsidiary
Rules”, and on unexpected— 10 —

Regulations

the Subsidiary Rules（Shinpan-shunin）
Article 23: The shinpan-shunin shallassist the shinpan-cho, and has theauthority to oversee the shiai attheir respective shiai-jo.

（Shinpan-in）
Article 24: 1. As a general rule, ashinpan group shall consist of ashushin and two fukushin, eachhappenings.
Article 19: Signalling by the shinpancho for the beginning of the firstshiai shall be conducted as follows:
1. In the case wherein one shiai-jo
is set, the shinpan-cho shall standup and have the shushin declarethe commencement of shiai when
the first shiai-sha are standing at
the location for ritsu-rei , threesteps back from the kaishi-sen(hereinafter the same).
2. In the case wherein two or moreshiai-jo are set, the shinpan-cho
shall stand up and signal forcommencement using a whistle
or the like when all of the firstpairs of shiai-sha are standing at
the location for ritsu-rei.
Article 20: The duties of the shinpanshunin are as follows:
1. To take responsibility for the
management of shiai at theirrespective shiai-jo.
2. To ensure the proper applicationo f t h e “ Re g u l a t i o n s ” a n d“Subsidiary Rules”.
3. To properly and speedily decide
on violations of the “Regulations”
or “Subsidiary Rules”, and on igi
if filed, and report to the shinpancho if necessary.
4. To supervise the shinpan-in in
charge of their shiai-jo.
Article 21: The duties of shinpan-in
are as follows:
1. To manage their respective shiai.

— 11 —

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the Subsidiary Rules

having equal authority to decideon yuko-datotsu and other matters.
2. The shushin has the authority toadminister shiai , to signal withshinpan-ki , and to pronounceyuko-datotsu, hansoku, etc.
3. The fukushin shall assist the
shushin in the administration ofrespective shiai by signallingyuko-datotsu, hansoku, etc., with
their shinpan-ki. Further, in thecase of emergency, either fukushin
may signal and pronounce
suspension of the shiai.
（Kakari-in Group）
Article 25: In order to properly
manage shiai, a group of kakari-in
c o n s i s t i n g o f t i m e ke e p e r s ,scoreboard recorders, score
recorders, and shiai-sha callers
should be present at each shiai-jo.
The composition and duties thereof
are outlined in the “Subsidiary
Rules”.

2. To clearly pronounce and signal
decisions.
3. To share a common standard ofjudgement with other shinpan-in.
4. To acknowledge by flags thesignals made by other shinpan-in.
5. After a round of shiai, shinpan-in
will confer to review the shiai
concerned, consulting the
shinpan-shunin and/or shinpancho, if necessary.

Article 22: The composition andduties of the kakari-in prescribed in
Article 25 of the “Regulations” areas follows:
1. There shall be, in principle, one
head time keeper and two or more
sub-keepers per shiai-jo who shalltime the shiai , and signal its
expiration using the flag (Fig. 5).
2. There shall be, in principle, one
head scoreboard recorder and two
or more sub-recorders per shiaijo who shall mark the shinpanin’s senkoku on the board, andalso check the shinpan-ki.
3. There shall be, in principle, one
head score recorder and two or
more sub-recorders per shiai-jo
who shall keep a record of scores
including yuko-datotsu-bui , thenumber and kinds of hansoku ,and the time spent for each shiai.
4. There shall be, in principle, one
head shiai-sha caller and two or— 12 —

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the Subsidiary Rules
more sub-callers per shiai-jo whos h a ll s ummon s h i a i - s h a andinspect their equipment.
Article 23: Unless otherwise
stipulated at each tournament, theuniform for shinpan-in shall be as
follows:
1. A plain, dark blue jacket
2. A plain, grey pair of trousers
3. A plain, white shirt
4. A plain, deep red necktie
5. A plain, dark blue pair of socks— 13 —

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the Subsidiary Rules

Chapter 2: Shinpan
Section 1: Matters Relative toShinpan（Decisions on Yuko-datotsu）
Article 26: A datotsu shall beconsidered as yuko and awarded one
point in the following cases:
1. When two or three shinpan-in
have signalled yuko-datotsu.
2. When one shinpan-in has
signalled yuko-datotsu , and theothers have signalled abstention.
（Torikeshi of Yuko-datotsu）
Article 27: In the case where a shiaisha has committed an improper act,
the decision of yuko-datotsu may be
revoked upon gogi , even after its
senkoku.

（Mistakes in Decisions for Yukodatotsu and Other Judgements）
Article 28: In cases where theshinpan-in have doubts about adecision for yuko-datotsu or
something else, a gogi shall be called
wherein the shinpan-in shall cometo a decision.

Article 24: The torikeshi of a yukodatotsu provided for in Article 27 of
the “Regulations” shall be appliedin the following cases:
1. When the shiai-sha who hasscored yuko-datotsu is not alert inspirit and/or posture to a possible
counterattack by the opponent.
2. When the shiai-sha who has
s c o r e d y u k o - d a t o t s u m a ke s
exaggerated gestures appealing
the validity of the datotsu.

Article 25: Mistakes in decisions foryuko-datotsu and other judgements
provided for in Article 28 of the“Regulations” are specified as follows:
1. In the case when an erroneousdecision has been made concerning
yuko-datotsu or hansoku.
2. In the case when a decision for
yuko-datotsu has been madedespite a signal for the expirationof the shiai time.

— 14 —

Regulations

the Subsidiary Rules（Procedures for Shinpan）
Article 29: Shinpan-in shall adjudicate
shiai in the following manner:
1. In the case where a shinpan-in
has signalled yuko-datotsu , theother shinpan-in must immediately
signal their judgments.
2. In the case where a yuko-datotsu
has been awarded, or the shiai has
been suspended, the shushin will
get the shiai-sha to return to the
kaishi-sen and then resume theshiai.
3. In cases whereby the shinpan-in
have identified a hansoku , theshinpan-in shall immediately
suspend the shiai and signal tothat effect with their shinpan-ki.
However, if the hansoku was not
obvious, the shinpan-in shall callgogi to discuss the matter.
4. In the case where tsubazeriai hascome to a stalemate, the shushinshall separate the shiai-sha on the
spot ( wakare ) and then resume
the shiai.

3. In the case when a decision for
yuko-datotsu has been madeduring the shiai in which thenumber of hansoku has been
incorrectly calculated.

Article 26: Wakare provided for in
Article 29, Item 4 of the“Regulations” shall be carried out
as follows:
1. The shushin shall separate theshiai-sha by pronouncing “Wakare”
and then resume the shiai
immediately.
2. The spot where the shiai-sha areseparated must be inside the shiaijo.

5. In the case where a shiai-sha hasrequested stoppage, the shushin— 15 —

Regulations

the Subsidiary Rules

shall pronounce suspension of theshiai and ask the shiai-sha for thereason.
6. When a victory must be decided
by hantei , all of the shinpan-in
shall simultaneously signal theirdecision for the winner with their
shinpan-ki upon the shushin’ssenkoku of “Hantei”.

Article 27: In the case whereby ashinpan-in has observed that the
tsuru is not correctly oriented, thatshinpan-in will notify the shushin of
the impropriety, and the shushinshall clearly direct the shiai-sha toc o r r e c t i t . T h e r e a f t e r, i f t h eimpropriety remains uncorrected,
the shinpan-in shall not award yukodatotsu.

Section 2: Shinpan-in
Procedures（Injury or Accident）
Article 30: In case a shiai-sha isunable to continue the shiai due toinjury or an accident, the shinpan-in
shall ascertain the cause and handle
the matter in the following manner:
1. The shinpan-in shall determine
whether to continue the shiai
after consulting with a doctor. As
a general rule, the shinpan-in
should spend no more than fiveminutes handling an accident.
2. In case a shiai-sha is unable tocontinue the shiai due to an
injury, if the opponent is deemed
to be responsible for the accident,
whether intentionally or not, theopponent shall lose the shiai. If
the cause of the accident cannot— 16 —

Regulations

the Subsidiary Rules

be ascertained, the injured shiaisha (shiai-funo-sha) shall lose theshiai.
3. A shiai-sha who becomesincapacitated due to an injury oran accident may be reinstated inlater shiai if a doctor and theshinpan-in permit him or her todo so.
4. A shiai-sha who loses a shiai
through causing an accident will
not be allowed to participate infollowing shiai.
（Kiken）
Article 31: A shiai-sha who has
defaulted during a shiai will be theloser and be prohibited fromparticipating in following shiai.
（Points Gained by Shiai-funo-sha
or Kiken-sha）
Article 32: The winner by virtue of
Articles 30 or 31 shall be given two
points. Any point scored by theshiai-funo-sha shall remain valid.
H o w e v e r, t h e w i n n e r w i l l b eawarded one point in the case ofencho.
（Points or acquired Status of the
Offender）
Article 33: The points or acquired
status of the offender who loses a
shiai due to Article 30, Item 2 shallbe invalidated.

Article 28: Kiken as provided for in
Article 31 of the “Regulations” shall
include the following case:
1. In case a shiai-sha has arbitrarily
defaulted the shiai due to healthor for some other reason.

Section 3: Gogi or Igi（Gogi）
Article 34: In case gogi is deemednecessary, the shinpan-in shallsuspend the shiai , call gogi , and— 17 —

Regulations

the Subsidiary Rules

discuss the matter in the centre of
the shiai-jo.
（Igi）
Article 35: Nobody is allowed toprotest against decisions made byshinpan-in.
Article 36: In case a kantoku about
the application of the “Regulations”
holds doubts by the shinpan-in, heor she may file igi with the shinpanshunin or shinpan-cho before theconcerned shiai ends.

Article 29: Igi as provided for in
Article 36 of the “Regulations” shallbe filed in the following manner
before sogo-no-rei at the end of theconcerned shiai:
1. The kantoku must signal with the
kantoku-ki (Fig. 5) when filing igi.
2. The kantoku will state thecontents of the igi to the shinpanshunin or shinpan-cho.

Chapter 3: Senkoku and Useof Shinpan-ki（Senkoku）
Article 37: The shinpan-in shallpronounce the start, end, resumption,suspension, wakare , yuko-datotsu,
victory, gogi , and hansoku in themanner prescribed in Table 1. The
shinpan-in may explain the senkoku
if necessary.
（Use of Shinpan-ki）
Article 38: The shinpan-in shall use
shinpan-ki to motion suspension,
wakare, yuko-datotsu, victory, gogi,
and hansoku in the mannerprescribed in Table 1.
Chapter 4: Supplement（Supplementary Matters）
Article 39: In case matters that havenot been provided for in the— 18 —

Regulations

the Subsidiary Rules“Regulations” occur, the shinpan-in
shall decide by gogi, subject to theapproval of the shinpan-shunin or
shinpan-cho.
Appendices:
1. The rules set forth hereinabove
may be totally or partiallymodified according to theconvenience of a tournament orcompetition due to its unusual
size or nature as long as the
purpose of the “Regulations” and“ S u b s i d i a r y Ru l e s ” a re n o t
infringed.
2. The “Regulations” shall come intofull effect as of March 26, 1997.
3. The “Regulations” were partiallyrevised and shall come into full
effect as of March 23, 2000.
4. The “Regulations” were partiallyrevised and shall come into full
effect as of December 7, 2006.
5. The “Regulations” were partiallyrevised and shall come into full
effect as of September 2, 2017.

— 19 —

Table 1 : Senkoku by Shinpan-in and Use of Shinpan-ki
Situation
Beginning

Beginning of Shiai

Senkoku“Hajime”

Motion of Shinpan-ki

Hold flags on both sides ofthe body.
Resumption Resumption of Shiai“Hajime”
Same as above.
Suspension Suspension of Shiai“Yame”
Raise flags straight up.
YukoDecision of Yuko-datotsu “Men-, Kote-, Raise a flag diagonally up on
datotsu
Do-, Tsuki- one side.
Ari”
Denial of Yuko-datotsu
Crisscross flags downward.
Abstention from decision
Hold flags crossed downward.
of judgment
Crisscross flags downward.
Torikeshi of Yuko-datotsu “Torikeshi ”“Nihon-me”
Lower the raised flag.
Beginning of Nihon-me“Shobu”
Same as above.
Beginning of Shobu“Shobu-ari”
Same as above.
Decision of victory
Decision“EnchoHold flags on both sides ofof Victory Beginning of Enchohajime”
the body.
“Shobu-ari”
Ippon-gachi
Raise a flag diagonally up on
one side.
1. “Hantei”
1. Pronouncing Hantei
1. Same as above.
2. “Shobu-ari” 2. Lower the raised flag.
2. Victory by Hantei“Shobu-ari”
Victory by Kiken
Raise a flag diagonally up on
one side.
“Hikiwake”
Hikiwake
Hold flags crossed above theforehead.
“Shobu-ari”
Incapacitation in Shiai
Raise a f lag diagonally up on
one side.
“Shobu-ari”
Victory by Chusen
Same as above.
“Hajime”
Daihyosha-sen
Hold flags on both sides ofthe body.
Gogi“Gogi”
Calling of Gogi
Raise both flags straight up
in the right hand.
Signaling of its result
Signal by Shushin with theflag.
Hansoku“Shobu-ari”
Abuse of Drugs
Raise a flag diagonally up on
one side.
“Shobu-ari”
Insulting or offensive
Same as above.
Acts“Shobu-ari”
Use of Fusei-yogu
Same as above.

— 20 —※
Fig. 9Fig. 9Fig.14
Fig.10

Fig.11
Fig.12
Fig.11
Fig.10
Fig.10
Fig.10Fig. 9Fig.10
Fig.10
Fig.10
Fig.13
Fig.10
Fig.10Fig. 9Fig.16

Fig.10
Fig.10
Fig.10Situation
Hansoku

Leaving hold of Shinai
Request for a breakwithout a justifiablereasonHansoku simultaneously
committed by both
Shiai-sha
Miscellaneous violationsof the Regulations

Having committed
second Hansoku

Applying Sosai

Injury,Accident,
Kiken※

First, raise flags diagonally
downward on one side, anddeclare the number ofHansoku with finger(s)towards the violator.
Same as above.

Fig.17Same as above.

Fig.17Same as above.

Fig.17Same asabove

Raise flags diagonally
downward on both sides.

Fig.18Same asabove

First, raise a flag diagonallyFig.17
downward on one side andthen declare the number
of Hansoku with finger(s)towards the violator.
Raise a flag diagonally up on Fig.10
one side.

Tripping or Sweeping-off “Hansoku
of opponent’s leg(s)( ) kai”

Pushing the opponentout of Shiai-jo

WakareMotion of Shinpan-ki

Senkoku

1. When Tuba-zeriai hascome to a stalemate
2. To resume Shiai
Shiai-funo due to injury,
accident or Kiken

Same asabove
Same asabove
Same asabove

Indicatingwith fingers“Hansokunikai” and“Ippon-ari”“Sosai” or“Onajikusosai” after
the second
offset
1. “Wakare”
2. “Hajime”“Shobu-ari”

Crisscross flags downward.

Fig.11

Fig.15
1. Raise both flags
straight forward.
2. Lower both flags
downward.
Raise a flag diagonally up on Fig.10
one side.

※Refer to the figures given in “The Guidelines for Kendo Shiai and Shinpan .

— 21—

Fig.17

Table2 : Specifications of Shinai
A. IttoJunior High School

Sex

LengthWeightDiameterStudents(12~15yrs.)

Senior High SchoolStudents(15~18yrs.)(also, the sameage bracket)

University Students
and other Adults(18yrs. and up)

Male/Female≦ 114 cm

≦ 117 cm

≦ 120 cmMale

≧ 440 gr

≧ 480 gr

≧ 510 gr

Female≧ 400 gr

≧ 420 gr

≧ 440 grMale

≧ 25 mm≧ 26 mm≧ 26 mm

Female≧ 24 mm≧ 25 mm≧ 25 mm

B. Nito
University Students and other Adults(18yrs. and up)

Sex

Daito(longer sword)
LengthWeightDiameter

Shoto(shorter sword)

Male/Female≦ 114 cm

≦ 62 cmMale≧ 440 gr

280 gr ≦ W ≦ 300 gr

Female≧ 400 gr

250 gr ≦ W ≦ 280 gr

Male≧ 25 mm≧ 24 mm

Female≧ 24 mm≧ 24 mm

How to measure the diameter of the tip of Sakigawa
Where to measure(diameter)
Sakigawa Length ≧ 50mm

Core tip

Where to measure(Approx. 10mm from the Sakigawa tip end)
“Sakigawa Lcngth ≧ 50mm” is a suideline.

— 22 —

Fig.1 : Shiai-jo（Standard）

Outer Boundary
1.5m

Boundary Lines

1.5m

30〜40cm
9〜11m

50cm

1.4m 1.4m

9〜11m

Fig.2 : Names of Parts of Shinai

KensenNakayui

Tsuru

Sakigawa

Tsuba

Tsuka TsukagashiraTsubadome

Monouchi— 23 —

Fig.3 : Kendo-gu and Datotsu-bui
Kote

Men
Men-buKote-bu

Tsuki-bu
Tare

Do-bu

Do

Fig.4 : Nafuda

Fig.5 : Specifications of Flags

・Shinpan-ki（red/white） ・Kantoku-ki（red）・Time Keeper Flag（yellow）
Team Name（Letters in white）

Surname（Letters in white）

25cm

25cm
35cm

（Black or dark
blue cloth）— 24 —

25cm

25cm
35cm

Guidelines for Shiai-sha

Guidelines for Shinpan-in（Entering or Leaving）
1. When entering the shiai-jo, shiai1. When entering or leaving the shiaisha will line up in the position
jo, the shinpan-in hold the shinpanki in their right hands and line up
where they will be seated, bow to
adjacent to the shiai-jo’s centre justthe shomen when instructed bytheir kantoku , and then sit down.
i n s i d e t h e b o u n d a r y, w i t h t h eshushin positioned in the middle.
Likewise, prior to leaving, the shiaisha shall line up, bow, and then exit
(Figures 3 & 8).
the shiai-jo.
（Team Line-up）
1. The teams shall face each other in
two lines (three steps behind the
kaishi-sen ) as in Figure 1, andperform rei at the order of theshushin. Only senpo and jiho line up
in full armour with shinai in hand
before commencement of the match.
In case another shiai is scheduled tofollow a match that is just concluded,
the retiring teams and the next
teams line up together. However, if
the two teams cannot stand in a row
as in Figure 2, the two retiring teams
and the two starting ones shallperform rei separately.
（Positioning of the shinpan-in prior
to the commencement of a shiai,
and handling the shinpan-ki）
1. Positioning of the shinpan-in shallbe as follows:（1）
For the first round of kojin-shiai,
shinpan-in shall take their starting
positions after the shiai-sha haveassembled. (Figures 3 & 4)
（2）
In dantai-shiai, shinpan-in taketheir starting positions after theteams line up in the shiai-jo andhave performed rei at the order ofthe shushin. (Figures 3 & 4)
2. The shinpan-ki are handled as— 1 —Guidelines for Shiai-sha

Guidelines for Shinpan-in
follows:（1）
Both shinpan-ki are held in theright hand when the shinpan-inrotate positions.
（2）
After rotation, the shushin holds
the red shinpan-ki with the righthand, and the white one with theleft. Fukushin hold the shinpan-ki
in the reverse way (white in theright hand, and red in the left).
（3）
When changing shinpan-in, both
shinpan-ki are rolled up together
with the white flag inside the red,and are held with the right hand.
（Rotation/Changing of Shinpan-in）
1 . T h e ro t a t i o n o f s h i n p a n - i n i s
conducted as follows:（1）(Rotation of Shushin andFukushin)Shinpan-in shall move to theirnext location without rolling up
their shinpan-ki. (Figure 5)（2）(Substituting Shinpan-in at their
Respective Positions)
Outgoing shinpan-in shall be
substituted after rolling up their
shinpan-ki and exchanging rei with
their replacements. (Figure 6)（3）(Substituting One Shinpan-in
after Rotation)
After rotation, the shinpan-in
who has just finished as shushinrolls up the shinpan-ki , and issubstituted by the incoming
shinpan-in after exchanging rei.
(Figure 7)（4）(Alternation of Shinpan-in who
have Finished)
A team of shinpan-in which has— 2 —Guidelines for Shiai-sha

Guidelines for Shinpan-infinished shall stand in a row after
rolling up their shinpan-ki and be
re p l a c e d b y t h e n e x t t e a m .
(Figure 8)（Rei to the Shomen）
1. Rei to the shomen shall be conducted
1. The shinpan-in shall perform rei toa s f o l l o w s a t t h e o rd e r o f t h e
the shomen in the following cases:
shushin:（1）
At the beginning of the first shiai,（1）
At the beginning of the first shiai,
and at the beginning and end ofand the beginning and end of thethe final shiai of the tournament.
（2）
If the tournament runs for more
final shiai of the tournament.
（2）
If the tournament runs for morethan a day, rei should be conductedthan a day, rei should be conductedat the beginning of the first andat the beginning of the first shiai
last shiai each day, and at theand at the end of the last one
beginning and end of the final
shiai of the tournament.
each day, and at the beginningand end of the final shiai of thetournament.
（3）
Rei to the shomen is conducted at
2. The shushin shall order rei to theshomen in the following cases:
the location of the mutual ritsu（1）For kojin-shiai – when the shinpanrei.
in have taken their positions.
（2）For dantai-shiai – when theshinpan-in and shiai-sha have lined
up inside the shiai-jo.
（Beginning）
1. Before the beginning of the shiai,
1. At the beginning of the first shiai,
the two shiai-sha shall first proceed
the shinpan-cho will do as follows:（1）
In case there is one shiai-jo, theto the ritsu-rei location andshinpan-cho will stand when theexchange rei while in the sageto
posture. Both take the taito position
first shiai-sha arrive at theirritsu-rei positions.
then take three steps forward and（2）In case there are two or morecrouch into the sonkyo position
shiai-jo, the shinpan-cho stands
while drawing the shinai. The shiai
will commence with the shushin’s
when the first round of shiai-sha
are standing in the ritsu-rei
senkoku to start.
positions, and signals by whistle
or other means.

— 3 —Guidelines for Shiai-sha

Guidelines for Shinpan-in

2. The shushin pronounces the start of
the first shiai upon receiving the
shinpan-cho’s signal. (Figure 9)（Yuko-datotsu）
1. Signalling with the shinpan-ki by
1. The shiai-sha will immediately stop
shinpan-in shall be done as follows
the shiai upon the shushin’ssenkoku of yuko-datotsu. They will
(Figures 9 to 12):（1）After the shinpan-in approve athen return to the kaishi-sen, anddatotsu as valid, they shall returnassume chudan-no-kamae toreceive the shushin’s next senkoku.
to their original positions holding
the shinpan-ki signalling theirverdict, and then lower their
shinpan-ki upon the shushin’ssenkoku.
（2）
When the validity of a datotsu is
not agreed upon, the shinpan-in
must stop signalling immediately.
（3）
As soon as signals of disagreement
are acknowledged by the othershinpan-in, the shinpan-in mustcease his or her signalling.
(Figures 11 & 9)
（4）
When a datotsu is judged as valid
according to Article 26 of the“Regulations”, despite
disagreement or kiken initiallysignalled by the shushin , yukodatotsu must be then indicated by
the shushin with the shinpan-ki.
2. For torikeshi of a yuko-datotsu aftergogi, the shushin raises the shinpanki back to the position taken prior tocalling gogi, then declares“ torikeshi ” as the shinpan-ki are
waved in the lower position
crossed. (Figures 10 & 11)（Request for a Stoppage）
1. Shiai-sha must make a verbal request
1. Recognizing a shiai-sha’s request
to the shushin for stoppage while raisingfor stoppage, the shushin shall— 4 —Guidelines for Shiai-sha

Guidelines for Shinpan-in

a hand, and then explain the reason.
immediately suspend the shiai and
2. In order to adjust loose equipment
ask the shiai-sha for the reason.
or uniform during the stoppage, the(Refer to Article 29, Item 5 of theshiai-sha must perform noto standing“Regulations”)
at the kaishi-sen, retreat to a position
2. If the shushin deems the request forjust inside the shiai-jo’s border, andstoppage to be unjustified, gogi
kneel in seiza or crouch in the sonkyo
should be called.
position. Meanwhile, the opponent
waits in either seiza or sonkyo.
（Suspension）
1. When a shinpan-in pronounces
1. Shinpan-in shall suspend shiai in“Yame”, the shiai-sha must stop thethe following cases:
shiai immediately, and return to the（1）
Hansokukaishi-sen to receive a senkoku or（2）
Injury or accident（3）
To avoid danger
instruction from the shushin.
（4）
Loss of shinai control
（5）
Igi
（6）
Gogi
（7）
Incorrect tsuru orientation
2. Shinpan-in shall suspend shiai inthe following manner:（1）
Upon senkoku for suspension, theshinpan-in shall return to their
original locations.
（2）W h e n b o t h s h i a i - s h a h a v e
acknowledged the senkoku orsignal for suspension by theshinpan-ki, the shinpan-in mustlower their shinpan-ki. (Figures
14 & 9)（3）In the case of hansoku , theshinpan-in shall return to their
original locations holding their
shinpan-ki in the signal position
until shushin’s senkoku. (Figure
17→Figure 9)（4）In the case where a fukushin
pronounces suspension, theshushin shall immediately— 5 —Guidelines for Shiai-sha

Guidelines for Shinpan-inenunciate suspension also, andsignal with the shinpan-ki.
(Figure 14→Figure 9)
3. In cases where a shinai has been
dropped or a shiai-sha has fallen
over, and the opponent does not
immediately strike or thrust at thatshiai-sha, the shushin must suspend
the shiai. (Figure 14→Figure 9)
4. When a hansoku has been
determined, the shushin returns to
the original position, and holding
both shinpan-ki in one hand,indicates the number of hansoku tothe violator. (Figure 17→Figure 9)
5. If both shiai-sha have simultaneously
committed a hansoku which will
result in the awarding of a point to
one shiai-sha, the shiai-sha who will
be awarded the point is penalized
first, followed by the other. (Figure
18→Figure 9)（Gogi）
1. Gogi should be called in the following
1. Upon the shushin’s call for gogi, theshiai-sha perform noto standing atcases:（1）
The torikeshi of yuko-datotsu
the kaishi-sen , and retreat to a
（2）
A mistake made by shinpan-in
position just inside the shiai-jo’sborder and wait in sonkyo or in（3）
Unclear hansoku
seiza.
（4）Doubts about the execution orapplication of the “Regulations”
2. Gogi shall be conducted as follows:（1）
The shushin has both shiai-sha
retreat to a position just inside
the shiai-jo’s border.
（2）
When a fukushin calls for gogi, theshushin immediately suspends
the shiai. (Figures 14 & 16)（Resumption）
1. The fukushin lower their shinpan-ki
1. Shiai-sha shall assume chudan-no— 6 —Guidelines for Shiai-sha

Guidelines for Shinpan-in

kamae at the kaishi-sen, and resume
the shiai upon the shushin’s senkoku.

upon the shushin’s senkoku toresume the shiai for nihon-me or
shobu.
2. The resumption of a shiai aftersuspension is conducted in thesame manner as the beginning of
the shiai. (Figure 9)（Wakare）
1. When tsubazeriai has come to a
1. Upon the shushin’s pronouncementof “ Wakare ”, the shiai-sha shallstalemate, the shushin shall separate
immediately separate, assume
the shiai-sha by holding bothchudan-no-kamae on the spot, andshinpan-ki straight forward while
resume the shiai with shushin’s
pronouncing “ Wakare ”, and havesenkoku.
them resume the shiai by lowering
the shinpan-ki with the senkoku of“ Hajime ” (Figures 15 & 9). If ashiai-sha is close to a boundary line,
the shushin should immediately
adjust the shiai-sha positions sothey remain inside the shiai-jo.
Filing Igi（Filing Igi）
1. The shinpan-in should deal with igi
1. When a kantoku files igi, the shiaisha must wait in the same mannerin the following manner:（1）
The shinpan-in shall immediately
as in gogi.
suspend the shiai. (Figure 14)（2）
The shinpan-shunin or shinpancho will direct the shinpan-in to
discuss the igi in gogi.
（3）
The shinpan-shunin or shinpancho shall inform the kantoku ofthe shinpan-in’s decision.
（4）
The shushin resumes the shiai.
(Figure 9)（Hantei, Chusen or Shiai-funo）
1. When deciding victory by hantei ,1. When deciding victory by hantei ,the shiai-sha stand at the kaishi-sen
the shinpan-in shall signal theirin chudan-no-kamae and receive thedecisions by simultaneously raising
shushin’s senkoku.
their shinpan-ki for the winner
upon the senkoku of “Hantei” by the— 7 —Guidelines for Shiai-sha

Guidelines for Shinpan-in

2. When deciding victory by chusen or
shiai-funo, the shiai-sha act in thesame manner as above.

shushin (Figure 10). The shinpan-in
are not permitted to signal hikiwake
or abstention.
2. In pronouncing victory by chusen or
shiai-funo, the shushin shall signal
the victor with the shinpan-ki andsenkoku, and then instantly lower
the shinpan-ki. (Figures 10 & 9)

（Fusen-gachi）
1. In kojin-shiai, the shushin
1. In the case of fusen-gachi, the shiaisha proceeds to the kaishi-sen ,pronounces victory for the winnercrouches in sonkyo, stands, receives
while signalling with the shinpan-ki.
the senkoku for fusen-gachi, repeats(Figure 10)
sonkyo , performs noto , and leaves
2. In dantai-shiai , the shushin shallthe shiai-jo.
first have the winning team line up,
2. In the case of fusen-gachi in dantaiand then pronounce victory while
shiai, the winning team shall line up
signalling with the shinpan-ki .
and receive the shushin’s senkoku.
(Figure 10)(Figure 1)（Ending）
1. At the end of the shiai, the shiai-sha
1. When victory has been concluded orshall first return to the kaishi-sen,
the shiai time has expired, theshushin will suspend the shiai, haveassume chudan-no-kamae, receive
the shushin’s senkoku , crouch inthe shiai-sha return to the kaishisonkyo , perform noto , stand, takesen, and signal the result with theshinpan-ki simultaneously with thethe taito position, step back to theritsurei location, lower the shinai tosenkoku (Figures 14→9 or 13→9).
sageto, and exchange ritsu-rei.
In the case of encho , the shushin
pronounces “Encho”, and resumes
the shiai. (Figure 9)
2. Having completed a dantai-shiai ,2. After one dantai-shiai has finished,
the last two shiai-sha remain in thethe shinpan-in line up, and theshiai-jo in full armour with theirshushin has both teams exchange
shinai , wait for their respective
rei.
teammates to line up, exchange reiat the pronouncement of theshushin, and then leave the shiai-jo.
(Figures 1 & 2)

— 8 —

Guidelines for Shiai-sha

Guidelines for Shinpan-in（Other Guidelines）
1. Nito shall be managed in the
1. Shinpan-in should check to makefollowing way:sure that the shiai-sha are wearing（1）
Both the daito and the shoto aretheir uniforms (kendo-gi, hakama,
mejirushi and nafuda) appropriately
carried in the left hand in sageto.
（2）W h e n a s s u m i n g k a m a e , t h eprior to the beginning of the shiai.
shinai to be held in the left hand
Refer to Article 5 of theis drawn with the right hand and“Regulations”, and Articles 4 and 5
passed to the lef t. The otherof the “Subsidiary Rules”.
shinai to be held in the left handis then drawn with the right hand.
（3）
To perform noto with two shinai,
the one in the right hand is firstpassed to the left hand, and thesecond one already in the left
hand is turned with the righthand back into the left.
（4）
Other than the three differences
listed above, the manners forshiai-sha using nito are the sameas those for itto.
2. The uniform of shiai-sha must be
2. Shinpan-in should make sure thatshiai-sha are equipped withkept neat, without rips or tears.
appropriate kendo-gu and shinai(including tsuba). Refer to Articles 3
and 4 of the “Regulations”, andArticles 3 and 4 of the “Subsidiary
Rules”.
3. Kendo-gu shall be tightly fastened
3. The shushin should correct any
so as not to become loose during
inappropriate manners of the shiaishiai. In addition, the length of thesha.
men-himo should be shorter than 40
centimetres from the knot.
4. The shinpan-in should strictly
4. Shiai-sha should only perform sogono-rei, and refrain from bowing tocorrect any inappropriate talk or
the shinpan-in, or from exchanging
acts made by shiai-sha at theirzarei or the like privately in theseats, even after the shiai.
shiai-jo.
5. Kakari-in must carry out their
5. Shaking hands or other physical acts
— 9 —

Guidelines for Shiai-sha

Guidelines for Shinpan-inof encouragement such as tapping
each other’s do should be avoided as
the previous shiai-sha is exiting andthe next shiai-sha enters the shiaijo.
6. Shiai-sha shall refrain from entering
the shiai-jo until all of the shinpanin have taken their positions.

duties by coordinating with theshinpan-shunin or shinpan-cho toensure the smooth administration of
the shiai.
6. Scoreboard recorders shall, prior to
the beginning of the shiai, ensurethat shinpan-ki are available for use.
Six sets of shinpan-ki per shiai-jo
are necessary.

7. Shiai-sha shall not enter the shiai-jo
before both of the shiai-sha fromthe previous shiai have exited.
8. The kantoku or shiai-sha must notbring watches into the waiting area
for shiai-sha, or signal or call out tooffer encouragement.
9. It is preferable for teammates to sit
in seiza for the first and last matchof a dantai-shiai.

— 10 —

Dantai-shiai Line-up
Fig. 1 : Line-up at the Beginningand Ending of Shiai

Fig. 2 : Line-up at the Beginningand Ending of Shiai◎Ritsu-rei Locations（white）（red）◎Taisho◎Fukusho◎Chuken◎Jiho◎Senpo◎Taisho◎Fukusho
Next◎Chuken team
◎Jiho
◎Senpo◎Taisho◎FukushoEnding◎Chuken team
◎Jiho
◎SenpoTaisho◎Fukusho◎
Chuken◎Jiho◎
Senpo◎

○○
○○
○○

○○
○○
○○

Retiring
New

Retiring
New

FukushinShushinTaisho◎Fukusho◎
Chuken◎Jiho◎
Senpo◎Taisho◎Fukusho◎
Chuken◎Jiho◎
Senpo◎

Fukushin

FukushinShushinFukushinRotation & Alternation of Shinpan-inFig. 4 : Shinpan-in starting
LocationsFig. 3 : Shinpan-in Line-up
ShomenShomenShinpan-cho

Shinpan-cho

Fukushin ○○○○Fukushin Shushin Fukushin
approx.
1m

Shinpan-in
Seatsapprox. 1m○ Fukushin○○○○— 11 —

Shushinapprox. 1m

Fig. 6 : Alternation of Shinpan-in（A）

Fig. 5 : Rotation of Shinpan-in
ShomenShomenShinpan-cho

New

Retiring○○○ Fukushin○○

Fukushin○Shinpan-cho

Retiring

New ○ ○ Retiring○

Shushin
Shinpan-in Seat

Fig. 7 : Alternation of Shinpan-in（B）

Fig. 8 : Alternation in Group

ShomenShomenShinpan-cho

Shinpan-cho○○○

Retiring
New

○○
○○
○○

Retiring
New

○

○
○
○

Shushin

Shinpan-in Seat

— 12 —

New

Use of Shinpan-ki
Fig. 9 : Beginning, Resumption, or Ending
Hold flags on both sides of the body(basic posture)

Fig.10 : Yuko-datotsu, Hantei, or Decisionof Victory
Raise a flag diagonally up on one side

Fig.11 : Showing disagreement or Torikeshi
of Yuko-datotsu or Sosai
Wave flags from side to side in the lower
positionFig.12 : Abstention from decision of
Yuko-datotsu
Hold flags crossed downward

Fig.13 : Hikiwake
Hold flags crossed above the forehead

Fig.14 : Suspension
Hold flags straight up— 13 —

Fig.15 : Wakare
Raise both flags straight forward

Fig.16 : Gogi
Raise both flags straight up in theright handFig.17 : Hansoku
Raise a flag diagonally downward on one side

Fig.18 : Simultaneous Hansoku
Raise flags diagonally downward on
both sides— 14 —

Recording Guide
Upon Senkoku of Shushin, recorders shall put the following marks on thescoreboard correctly to show the process of Shiai to Shinpan-in, Shiai-sha andaudience.
Table 1 : Recording Matters and Indications
Matters
Yuko-datotsu

Marks

M

K

D

T

Indications
M ＝MenK ＝Kote

D ＝Do

T ＝Tsuki

The order of placement of Yuko-datotsu marks shallbe as shown in the Taisho round on Table 2.
Hansoku shall be recorded as ▲ in red as shown

Hansokuin Table 2.
When the second Hansoku is committed, the mark2nd Hansoku

H▲ shall be deleted and the mark H be placed on
the opponent side.
In Sosai, the mark of Hansoku shall be left in.

Sosai

The number of Hansoku shall be recorded in therecording paper separately.
Victory by Hantei

Ht

The mark Ht shall be recorded.

Victory by Chusen

C

The mark C shall be recorded.

Ippon-gachi
Encho
Hikiwake

1

E×

In case Shiai ends with the score of one to zero,
the mark

1

shall be recorded.

In case of Encho, the markE

shall be put on in

the low part of the center line in the frame.
In case of Hikiwake, the mark × shall be put on
the center line in the frame.

Fusen-gachi, Kiken

The marks

shall be put on the winner side;or Shiai-funo

put one markin case of Encho.

— 15 —

Table 2 : An Example of Scoreboad Use for Dantai-shiai

Name of Shushin
Name of Fukushin

Name of Fukushin

OrderTeam name

Senpo

Shiai-sha name

Jiho

Shiai-sha name

ChukenShiai-sha name

Fukusho

Shiai-sha nameH

TaishoShiai-sha nameK

ResultWinners

White

1

E

Red

Team nameM

Shiai-sha name

Ht

Shiai-sha nameShiai-sha name

Points

The second point×TM

Shiai-sha nameM

Shiai-sha name

PointsWinners

The first point
The third point

Note : The locations of the red team and the white one on the scoreboard
shall meet with the colors of Shinpan-ki of Shushin in facing eachother.
Remarks : As regards Kojin-shiai, an appropriate scoreboard may be used ateach tournament.

— 16 —

GLOSSARY
Ai-uchi (Two yuko-datotsu made mutually and simultaneously)
Chigiri (Metal plate in the tsuka of shinai)
Chudan-no-kamae (One of the five basic kamae)
Chuken (The third competitor of a five person team)
Chusen (Drawing lots)
Daihyosha (Team representative)
Daihyosha-sen (Match between team representatives)
Daito (Long sword)
Dantai (Team)
Dantai-shiai (Team match)
Datotsu (Strike and thrust)
Datotsu-bu (Striking part of shinai)
Datotsu-bui (Striking zone)
Do (A plastron)
Do-bu (The right and left sides of do)
Encho (Extension)
Fukushin (Sub-referee)
Fukusho (The second to last competitor of a team)
Fusei-yogu (Prohibited equipment)
Fusen-gachi (Unearned win)
Gogi (Referee conference during a match)
Hakama (Split skirt worn in kendo)
Hansoku (Foul, viuration of rules)
Hantei (Victory by a judgement)
Ha-suji (Cutting line)
Hikiwake (Draw, tie)Igi (Objection, protest)
Ippon-gachi (Winning with one point)
Ippon-shobu (One-point match)
Itto (One shinai)
Jin-bu (Blade)
Jogai (Out of bonnds)
Jiho (The second competitor in a team)Kachinuki (A kind of match in which the competitor continues to fight for as long as
he/she keeps winning)
Kaishi-sen (Starting line)
Kakari-in (Court staff)
Kantoku (Manager)
Kantoku-ki (Manager’s flag)— 1 —Kamae (Posture, stance)
Kendo-gi (Kendo top)
Kendo-gu (Protective gear)
Kiken (Abstention)
Kiken (Retire)
Kiken-sha (A defaulter)
Kojin-shiai (Individual match)
Kote (Protective gauntlets)
Kote-bu (Right and left forearms)
Mejirushi (The long, nawow strip of white or red cloth)Men (Protective helmet)
Men-bu (The forehead, and the right and left temples)
Men-himo (Men cords)
Monouchi (Part of the sword blade which cuts the best)
Nafuda (Name tag)Nihon-me (The second point)
Nito (Two Shinai)
Noto (To sheathe the sword)
Rei (A bow)Ritsu-rei (A standing bow)
Sageto (To hold the sword in the left hand wth the arm extended)
Sakigawa (Leather shinai cap)
Sanbon-shobu (Three point match)
Seiza (Kneeling position)
Senkoku (A pronouncement)
Senpo (The first competitor in a team)
Shiai (A match)
Shiai-funo (Incapacitation)
Shiai-funo-sha (An incapacitated shiai-sha)
Shiai-jo (Match court)
Shiai-sha (Competitor)
Shinai (Bamboo sword)
Shinpan (Refereeing or referee)
Shinpan-cho (Referee director)
Shinpan-in (Referees)
Shinpan-ki (Referee’s flag)
Shinpan-shunin (Presiding referee)
Shobu (The third point after a tie score)
Shoto (A short sword)— 2 —Shushin (Chief referee)Sogo-no-rei (Bows exchanged mutually)
Sonkyo (Crouching posture)
Sosai (Cancelling each other out)
Taisho (The last competitor in a team)
Taito (To hold the sword in the leftarm at the waist position)
Tare (Lower body protector)
Torikeshi (Revocation of a point)
Tsuba (A sword guard)
Tsubazeriai (Tsuba-to-tsuba mutual competition)
Tsuka (The hilt of a sword)
Tsuki-bu (Throat)
Tsuru (The string on the back of the shinai)
Wakare (Separation)
Yame (Stop)
Yuko (Valid)
Yuko-datotsu (A valid strike or thrust)
Zanshin (T he state of mental and physical alertness against the opponent’s
counterattack)Note: Please refer to the All Japan Kendo Federation’s Kendo Japanese-English
Dictionary.

— 3 —