Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei JODO English Version

Manual

Points for Refereeing and Judging

All Japan Kendo Federation © 2006

Grading panel members and referees should give the following points their consideration
during grading and competition situations.

Reiho – whether they follow the stipulated ones.

Ippon Me – Tsuki Zue

Uchi :
1) Is the Hasso no Kamae performed correctly? Do they start from the correct Maai? Is the
cut in line with Shi’s centre and does it finish at the horizontal level?
2) Does Uchi hold the sword in the correct position in Hidari Jodan no Kamae?
Shi:
1) Does Shi make the correct posture when avoiding the sword cut?
2) Does Shi strike the left wrist in the correct manner?
3) Do both Honte Uchi strikes reach their target adequately?

Nihon me – Suigetsu

Uchi:
1) Does Uchi’s cut reach the target correctly?
2) When making the Chudan no Kamae, is the distance and timing correct?

Shi:
1) Does the thrust point at Uchi’s solar plexus correctly?
2) Does Shi take correct Hiki Otoshi no Kamae?
3) Is the Hiki Otoshi strike on the sword adequate?

Sanbon me – Hissage

Uchi:
1) During the Awase, does the sword match evenly with the Jo?
2) When cutting from Hidari Jodan no Kamae, does the cut reach Shi’s head?
3) Does Uchi receive the Kuri Tsuke correctly?

Shi:
1) Does Shi apply the correct distance when making the Awase with Uchi’s sword?
2) Does the Kuri Tsuke work sufficiently to pin the sword and is the following thrust to the
solar plexus made correctly and adequately?
Yonhon me Shamen

Uchi:
1) Is the cut to the head executed correctly and does it finish at the horizontal level?
2) Is the correct distance taken with the Hidari Jodan no Kamae?

Shi:
1) Is the body moved to the right diagonal front and is the Jo held correctly when making
the strike to Uchi’s left temple?
2) Is the Kaeshi Zuki no Kamae correctly executed and when making the strike does the
point of the Jo reach the solar plexus?

Gohon me – Sakan

Uchi:
1) Is the thrust made correctly to the solar plexus?
2) When Shi hits the sword, does Uchi take three steps back beginning with the right foot
and take the correct distance?
3) Are the Chudan and Hasso no Kamaes correctly applied?

Shi:
1) Against the thrust of the sword, does Shi step back with both feet to the correct distance
and Ma Hanmi posture?
2) When striking the sword, does the right foot move forwards?
3) Before making Hiki Otoshi no Kamae, does the left foot come up in line with the right?
4) Does the right hand move to the end of the Jo to make Migi Hiki Otoshi?

Roppon me – Monomi

Uchi:
1) Dos the sword cut correctly to Shi’s boy centreline and does it finish horizontal?
2) When Uchi makes Hidari Jodan no Kamae, is the sword in the correct position above the
head?

Shi:
1) Is the correct footwork made through the initial Kamae and when Shi strikes, is the right
angle achieved in reaching the target?
2) Is the strike smooth and uninterrupted with Jo making a large circular movement?
3) Is the Kaeshi Zuki correct and does the Jo reach the solar plexus?

Nanahon me – Kasumi

Uchi:
1) Is the correct footwork from the Maai of two steps for one strike to the left and right foot
and subsequent cut all made in the correct manner?
2) Does Uchi properly receive the Tai Atari and the Kuri Tsuke techniques?

Shi:
1) Is the correct posture, strike and Seme on the word made during Gyakute Uchi?
2) Does Shi correctly execute both Tai Atari and Hiki Otoshi no Kamae?
Happon me – Tachi Otoshi

Uchi:
1) When receiving the initial strike on the sword, does the body move to the left?
2) Are the feet in the correct position?
3) When Uchi makes the cut to Shi’s neck, is the sword moved through the Jodan no Kamae
in a large circular motion?
4) After the Kuri Tsuke, does Uchi make the correct footwork to step back?

Shi:
1) Upon striking the sword with Gyakute Uchi, is the body in the correct Hanmi posture and
are the hands and strike both adequate and correct?
2) When Shi makes Kuri Tsuke no Kamae, does the Jo correctly catch Uchi’s wrist and
effectively stop the attack?

Kyuhon me – Rai Uchi

Uchi:
1) Does Uchi make the first cut to Shi’s left upper arm correctly?
2) Is the second cut made by moving the sword through Jodan no Kamae as Uchi takes a
large step with the left foot to the rear and is this aimed at the back of Shi’s neck?

Shi:
1) Does the thrust to Uchi’s solar plexus reach the target and effectively stop the attack?
2) Is the correct angle and timing achieved when making the second thrust to Uchi’s right
flank?

Jupppon me – Seigan

Uchi:
1) From the start of the Kata, does Uchi proceed with the correct posture to hold the Tsuka
with their right hand?
2) Is the one handed cut correctly aimed at Shi’s left hand and does it cut?

Shi:
1) Does Shi use sufficient Seme to attack Uchi’s eyes, before striking the solar plexus?
2) Is the Gyakute Tsuki technique correctly applied to Uchi’s left flank?
3) Is the Jo pulled back sufficiently to avoid Uchi’s attack, is the Hasso no Kamae correct
and does the strike to the solar plexus start from correct Hasso no Kamae and reach the
target?

Ju ippon me – Midare Dome

Uchi:
1) Does Uchi’s sword correctly cut Shi’s left torso (Do)?
2) When Uchi receives the strike to the sword, is the correct footwork observed and is the
following cut made to the Shi’s head?
3) Does Uchi apply the correct footwork when moving backwards?
Shi:
1) When making Gyakute Uchi, is the left hand in the correct position?
2) When the Jo is brought above the head to prevent Uchi’s cut, is the end of the Jo
correctly placed at Uchi’s face?

Ju nihon me – Ran Ai

Uchi:
1) Is the correct posture assumed when drawing the sword to the right diagonal upward
position?
2) Does Uchi make the correct diagonal cut to Shi’s torso (Do) ?
3) On receiving the Honte Uchi to the head, does Uchi catch the Jo with the left foot in the
rear position?
4) Is the horizontal cut across Shi’s body level with their chest?
5) When receiving Kuri Hanashi, how is Uchi’s Metsuke and posture? Is it still looking at
Shi?
6) Does Uchi move back correctly and in a smooth manner making the necessary Kamae?
7) Is the one handed cut to Shi’s right hand effective? Does Uchi take the correct Kamae?
8) When making the thrust, is Uchi’s aim correct with sufficient reach to the target?
9) When Shi uses Do Barai, does Uchi’s sword make the correct torso cut?

Other important points for Uchi:

Shi:
1) When striking Uchi, is the correct target hit after Seme-charging with the left, then right
foot?
2) Is the thrust to the flank made correctly?
3) Is the Hiki Otoshi strike to the head made effectively and without pause?
4) When retreating, does Shi move back sufficiently to avoid the sword cut?
5) How well does Shi make the Kuri Hanashi? Do they keep the point at Uchi’s eyes?
6) From the Hiki Otoshi no Kamae, does Shi step forward using Seme to attack Uchi’s face
and place the left and right feet correctly?
7) Does he receive Do Barai with correct posture?