Gekken Shiai

It has been proven that sparring is a very effective tool in realizing the practical application of any martial art. As such we encourage actual engagement in full contact controlled combat.

We practice a freeform point based sparring, wearing Kendo Bogu and using Tradional Shinai or fukuro shinai.

The match rules are kept to a minimal as to promote natural combat realistic sparring. Unlike Kendo, where only men, kote, do and the tsuki are valid targets, in Gekken Shiai, the whole body including legs may be considered a target area.

If you are more interested in the formal competition aspect of swordsmanship, I strongly suggest joining the Kendo Federation of South Africa. They run quality dojos all over the country and provide quality training in Kendo. The emphasis is very much on the sport and competitive aspects of Kendo, but the underlying martial principles of swordsmanship are still adhered to. The Kendo Dojos have regular inter dojo competitions and SA has a national team, made up of the top Kendoka in the country, that competes overseas annually.

Link to the Randburg Shihoko Kendo Dojo. Please note that The Ronin Katsujinken Dojo is in no way affiliated to the SA Kendo Federation,

But back to Gekken Shia.

A full point, ippon, is awarded for a proper effective potentially lethal strike, Yuko Datotsu, delivered with Ki-Ken-Tai Ichi, that is proper spirit, sword technique and body movement ending in proper zanshin.

A half point, waza-ari is awarded where an effective “small” cut is made to incapcitate the opponent. In Katsujinken, these kind of cuts are encouraged as it is in this kind of swordsmanship that the life giving sword is realized, through benevolence and the choice to spare a life.

Often, when confronted with a dire situation where the samurai has but no choice to draw his sword, a relative peaceful and balanced conclusion to conflict may be reached by only applying a chisai kiri – small cut, accurately to a body part, such as digits of the fingers, forearm, wrist, upper arm, knee, shallow forehead cut.

• Nihon me- Two points win the match.
• Begin match – Shu shin announces Hajime
• Pause match – Shu shin announces Mate
• Shu shin and Fuku shin wil raise white or red flag straight up in the air for full point or horizontal for waza ari, both flags straight up for hansoku
• Half point – Shu shin announces Waza ari
• First point, Shu shin announces Ippon me
• If score arrives at 1-1, Shu-Shin announces Nihon me
• Winner is announced with command Shobu Ari
• Matches last 5 minutes from beginning to end.
• In case of a draw, extra time or first point scored rule may be applied
• Hansoku, penalties, may result in half or full points being deducted.
• Hansoku is totally up to the Shinpan’s, referee’s, discretion and has to do with conduct unbecoming a samurai, ie breaking one of the seven virtues.

• Proper form, valid kamae, proper swordsmanship waza, shikake and oji waza must be maintained at all times.
• Proper distance- maai, rhythm and timing must be applied, sen no sen, tai no sen, go no sen.
• Proper cuts in the spirit of live blade combat must be adhered to at all times.
• Up to three shinpan( one head -shu shin, and up to two assistant -fuku shin) may referee a match, but one or two is also acceptable
• Typical court – Shiajo layout similar to Kendo but may vary.