2020 IBF California Taikai

~ The competition system ~ 試合概要

1. Competition System
            Divisions: Contestants are divided into three groups by grade as

                                2dan & under, 3 & 4 dan, 5 dan & above
      Category: Type of competition is categorized four as Kata, Kumitachi, Tameshigiri, Open Kata and Team cutting

 

     (1) Kata: Individual performance classified by divisions. The Kata to be performed are described below.

 

     (2) Kumitachi: Two contestants per pair (Uchidachi and Shidachi), No divisions. To perform designated forms as described below.      Only Mogi-to (non-steel, non-sharp blade) is allowed to use for Kumitachi. No sword contact to any part of the body is allowed.

 

     (3) Tameshigiri: Individual performance classified by divisions as described below. Under 18 years old can participate Tameshigiri         division subject to approval of the committee and consent of parent. Note that each division has different requisition of

      performance.

 

      (4) Team cutting: Three contestants per team, No divisions. 2 cuttings per person and total 6 level predetermined cuts as

      described below.

 

      - Proper posture, foot work, kiai and manner are common standards required for all divisions in all categories. For tameshigiri

       and team cutting, an incomplete cut, missed cutting attempt, knocking the stand over or the target off will result points off. Cut

       below the red rubber mark at 15 cm from the bottom of the target will result points off.

 

2. Judge system: The IBF standard point system is applied.

      Cumulated points of 3 judges for preliminary rounds and cumulated points of 5 judges for the final round. Final round will be

      held if more than two courts are used for a division. The first (and may be second too depending on number of contestants)

      from each court are qualified for the final rounds.

      In case the score points are equal, the closer one between highest and lowest among the judges wins. In case it is equal too,

      then a rematch is to be held.

 

3. Competition Items
   【Kata】 Three Kata for each division

     ★ 2 dan & under:
          Toyamaryu No. 1, Toyamaryu No. 5 and Toyamaryu No. 8

     ★ 3 & 4 dan:
          Seitei Toho No. 1,  Nakamuraryu No. 3 and Seitei Toho No. 7

     ★ 5 dan & above:
          Nakamuraryu No.1, Toyamaryu No. 6 and Nakamuraryu No. 8

 

【Kumitachi】: Three Nakamuraryu Kumitachi No. 1, 5 and 6 (Nidan & UP Only)

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★ 2 dan & under:3 cuts starting from a Katate Jodan Kamae of Toyamaryu No. 5 and finish with chudan kamae, chiburi and noto

1.   Startfromsingle-handedjodankamaeasToyamaryuNo.5,

2.   Threestepsforwardstartingwiththerightfootfirst,

3.   Threecutsdownwarddiagonally(kesagiri)withflowofToyamaryuNo.5.

   Cutting angle shall be around 40 degree with equal interspace on each cut.

   Take a bit pause after each cut.

4.   Oneortwostepsbacktotakearightchudankamaeforzanshin,

5.   Performchiburiandnoto.

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★ 3 & 4 dan: 4 cuts starting from Nukiuchi (Direct cut without stopping after the draw. and finish with a left reverse noto

1.   Start with Nuki-uchi (direct cut from drawing without kamae) to cut left downward diagonally with right foot forward, take a bit pause and take a left Wakigamae

2.   Cut right upward diagonally with right foot in front, take a bit pause after the cut.

3.   Change steps with the left foot forward and then the right foot backward to take a right wakigamae

4.   Cut left upward diagonally with right foot in front, take a bit pause after the cut.

5.   Adjust steps with the right foot forward and put the left foot sideways, and take a left horizontal wakigamae for mayokogiri (horizontal cut).

6.   Cut rightward horizontally, take a bit pause after the cut.

7.   One step back with the left foot to put the sword onto the right thigh for Zanshin

8.   Take Zanshin and perform left reverse noto

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★ 5 dan & above: 5 cuts starting from a right wakigamae and finish with a left reverse noto.

1.   Start with a right Wakigamae as Nakamuraryu No. 5

2.   Three steps forward from the left foot, to approach the target

3.   Cut left upward diagonally with the left foot in front, take a pause then Furikaburi

4.   Change steps with the right foot forward and the left foot backward

5.   Cut left downward diagonally, take a pause then Furikaburi

6.   Change steps with the left foot forward and the right foot backward

7.   Cut right downward diagonally, take a pause then a horizontal Wakigamae

8.   Adjust steps by putting the right foot forward and the left foot sideways for a horizontal cut.

9.   Cut leftward horizontally, take a bit pause and take a left horizontal Wakigamae

10.   Cut rightward horizontally, take a bit pause

11.   One step back with left foot and put a reversed-sword on to the right thigh for zanshin

12.   Take Zanshin and left reverse noto

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【Open Kata】: 3 sword kata from a traditional Japanese sword style

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【Team cutting】

     ★ A team consists of 3 contestants.
         Each has 100 points and the total of three contestants becomes a score of the team.

     ★ Two cuttings per person 1. Senpo (Spearhead): Kesa, Kesa

                                                      2. Chuken (Halfback): Kesa, Gyakukesa

                                                      3. Taisho (General): Kesa, Maokogiri

                    Performance requirements in this division:

                               ※ Cutting shall be with smooth flow of movement, yet pause a moment between cuttings. Do not drift the sword.

                               ※ Footwork: For changing steps to cut the opposite side of Makiwara, firstly bring the rear foot to a side of the

                                  front foot, then withdraw the front foot a single step backward.

 

           Scoring system of Tameshigiri 試斬採点法

                 Point-deduction 減点
               ・ Fail to cut : -20 points

                                         No cut through, Mountain cut, Chip, Fibrous leftover (bearded mat), Cut the air

 

               ・ Dangerous cutting: -20 points
                                                       Hit at the floor, Cut below 15cm, Cut with reverse stance

                                                       Wrong sequence

 

               ・ Unstable Cutting: -15 points
                                                    Stand fall down, Mat comes out, Wrong angle

 

               ・ Incomplete cutting: Less -10 points
                                                       Stand quaked, Inconsistent angles, Bad distance, Poor posture

 

               ・ Miscellaneous : -1 ~ -5 points
                                                 Poor posture, Etiquette, Zanshin, Chiburi, Noto, Attitude

 

                              Outline of judgment 審判上の注意

1. General

         a. To perform “Kata” in calm mind and normal sense with natural postures, body movements rendering the spirit of

             Nakamuraryu.

         b. To perform “Kata” based on Nakamuraryu as shown in the text video "Visual Battodo" published by International Batto-Do

             Federation.

         c. Safety first throughout the competition

2. Scoring by judges

           a. Performance starts with "Hajime" by the judge and stop at "Yamei".

         b. Not only technique, but also "Reiho", posture, dignity, stride, "kiai" and "Zanshin" are scored.

3. Judges
            The judge consists of 3 judges for first-round and 5 judges for final match.
            Point system by the IBF standard shall apply. Cumulated points of 3 judges for preliminary rounds and cumulated points of 5 judges for the final.

            Final round will be held if more than two courts are used for a division. The first (and may be second too depending on number of competitors)

            from each court are qualified for the final rounds. In case the score points are equal, the closer one between highest and lowest among the

             judges wins. In case it is equal too, then a rematch is to be held.

4. General things to pay attention to Tameshigiri (Shizan)

• -  At the starting line, bow, then start after receiving the command "Hajime (start)" by a judge. Return to the start line after you finish.

• -  The approach starts after receiving the command "Hajime" at the start line and continues to the point where the performance is made.
  In regards to the approach, 4th Dan and below are not strictly regulated, but 5th Dan and above must observe the following:

  a. Stand at the Start Line. After receiving the command "Hajime" begin to walk bring up your spirit while proceeding to the distance of one step and one sword length from the target. Pause for a moment. This pause should not be too long. Each individual should form his own interpretation of this interval.

      b. From the point where you begin to draw your sword to cut, continue without hesitation or delay

      c. After drawing your sword and raising it into Kamae, immediately make your first cut.

• -  Nakamura Taisaburo Sensei used to say that the cut portion of the mat should fall right next to the stand where it was cut. The cut portion of the mat should fall to the right or left of the target. The degree to which that happens will impact your score as the way that the cut portion of the mat falls will reflect the way that the blade entered.

• -  The red reference band should be 15 cm from the bottom of the Makiwara (tatami straw target). In case of suspicious or problem with the red reference band, the competitor can appeal before the "Hajime" call is given. No claim after the performance is accepted.

• -  Cutting the red reference band indicates that you have cut below 15 cm.

• -  If the mat comes undone and the referee calls "matei (wait)", lower your sword, withdraw a few steps, reorganize then begin cutting again after the order "Hajime".

  5. Things to focus on when performing Kata 形の着眼点

  Principle: The scoring system begins with 100 possible points from which the judges make deductions. Slight problem = 1 - 5 points off, conspicuous problems = 10 points off, very conspicuous problems = 20 points off.

  As it is a designated skill, performing the wrong Kata or performing a Kata out of order = 20 points off. You should continue to the end even if you make a mistake.

  • -  Batto (drawing the sword): You should draw the sword smoothly with the feeling of Jo-ha-kyu.

  • -  Shisei (posture): You should perform the Kata with unyielding willpower and dauntless pride. When starting and finishing you should pay attention to your posture.

    - Tenouchi (Gripping of the hilt): Grip on the hilt should be pliable, not squeezing or loosening while maintaining a pressure that is neither too tight nor too loose. An egg should fit among the thumb, forefinger and the Tsuba.

    - Hasuji (Angle of blade for cutting): The blade angle for cutting must be in unison with the sword trajectory.

            - Ashihaba (width of stance): Depending on the person their height your Ashihaba may be big or small. There are three

              stances, Kamae Ashi (ready stance), Ayumi Ashi (walking stance) and Kiri Ashi (cutting stance).

           - Furikaburi (to raise the sword over your head) and Furioroshi (to swing downward): When cutting Kesa (downward on an

             angle down from the shoulder) the principle is to begin by holding the sword over your head and cut swinging the sword

             downward. Starting with the sword over the side of the head is wrong. Cutting in a large circular arc (Enkeisen) is important.

             When cutting Kesa your left wrist should travel along the center line of your body and end at the lower belly. The tip of the

             sword should stop at the height of the knee. When cutting Kiriage (upward cut) the point of your sword should be three

             fingers higher than the Tsuba side.

           - Cutting Angle: When cutting Kesa the angle should be about 40°

           - Maai (distance): The proper distance should be Issoku Itto no Maai (A combative interval from which one step brings you

            within striking distance of the opponent by a sword). Monouchi (one third of the blade) is regarded as a striking part of the

            sword for cutting of the opponent.

           - Chiburi (to take a posture of shaking the blood off on the word) : The position of the arm to the side is 45° and 45° to the

            right front, your arm and sword should form a straight line with the tip of your sword just inside and directed toward the

            fallen opponent you just cut.

           - Noto (Re-sheathing): In Toyama-ryu, to sheathe the blade by placing it on the saya one-third down the mine from the tip.

           - Zanshin (remaining mind): You should have Zanshin (maintaining a state of alert responsiveness) up to the point when you

             have completely finish and lowered your hand.

 

Tameshigiri (cutting) Scoring Criteria 試斬採点基準
Principle: The scoring system begins with 100 possible points from which the judges

make deductions. The allocation of points will be as follows:

20 Point Deduction ....... (Unsuccessful Cut)
- Unsuccessful cut and knocked over the stand
- Hitting the floor (with the sword)
- Yama Kake (cutting into a previous cut or incomplete cut)

No matter how big or small the Yama Kake is a 20 point deduction.
- Missing the target
- Mistake in the cutting order or not performing all of the cuts
- Cutting from the wrong foot.
- Cutting the peg
- Cutting lower than 15cm (marked by a red band from the bottom of the target)

10 Points Deduction ...... (Successful Cut)

- Successful cut but knocked over the stand
- Bad spacing (distance between your body and the target) - Chipping

5 to 10 Point Deduction ...... (The angle of the cut is bad)

- Did not cut with the Monouchi - Cut but moved the stand

2 to 10 Point Deduction ....... (Posture, Clothing, Sageo or Bad Attitude)

- When cutting Kiriage (upward cut), dropping your shoulder
- When cutting Gyakukesa, resting the sword on your shoulder
- Not coming to a proper Wakigamae position before making the Gyakukesa cut

2 to 5 Point Deduction ...... After making a cut, stopping the poorly
- Stopping the sword with the left hand out of place at the center of your body - Failed or improper Noto

Caution: While performing if the mat comes undone or falls off of the stand, the judge will give the command "matei (wait)", the competitor should immediately lower his sword, withdraw a few steps and wait the person in charge to enter the ring and fix the problem. After the person in charge exits, you may resume after the referee give the command "Hajime".