Episode 11: A brief guide to kendo competitions

This episode aims to introduce the rules of a Kendo match. The objective is to achieve Ipon by striking one of the four permitted areas with the shinai (bamboo sword): the head (men), the wrists (kot), the torso (do), or the throat (ski). For an Ipon to be valid, the attacker must fulfill the interconnected requirements of Ki Ken Tai (spirit, sword, and body), which include the mandatory emission of an aggressive shout during the attack. It is also essential for the fighter to maintain mental and physical alertness, known as Zanshin, immediately after launching the attack, as failure to do so can invalidate the point scored. Matches are played over a ten-minute period and are won by the best of three Ipon, with each scoring decision requiring the approval of at least two of the three referees present on the field. The document concludes by mentioning the protocols to be followed for draws, which may include extensions or a decision made by the judges.