2026.9 KENDOJIDAI
Iguchi Kiyoshi, Kyoshi 8th Dan; Terachi Yotsuyuki, Kyoshi 8th Dan; Iwasa Hidenori, Kyoshi 8th Dan; Chikamoto Takumi, Kyoshi 8th Dan; Suzuki Tsuyoshi, Kyoshi 8th Dan; and Hojo Masaomi, Kyoshi 8th Dan served as referees at the 13th All Japan Invitational Kendo 7th Dan Championship.
What did these six referees see in the 31 matches contested by 16 selected competitors from across Japan? They reflect on the distinctive strengths each competitor brought to the Shiai, the subtle exchanges of Seme and Maai, and the ability to read an opponent and commit fully at the decisive moment. Their observations also reveal what set champion Kotani apart—from his footwork and Shinai control to his composure and determination—and why Matsumoto’s Kendo left such a strong impression on so many of the referees. Through their perspectives, we take a closer look at the qualities that defined this year’s 7th Dan Championship.
Kotani: Equally Effective Moving In or Drawing Back
Iguchi Kiyoshi, Kyoshi 8th Dan
Born in Saitama Prefecture in 1969. After graduating from Minano High School, he attended Ryutsu Keizai University. Upon graduation, he joined the Saitama Prefectural Police, where he served until his retirement in 2021. He currently teaches at his alma mater, Ryutsu Keizai University.
In the preliminary league of this tournament, not only wins but also draws can determine who advances, making the tactical exchanges between competitors particularly complex.
Even so, competitors must commit themselves to decisive moments and secure victories if they are to progress. In that sense, Matsumoto’s (Kanagawa) two-point victory in his opening match was particularly impressive. His two superb Men seemed to awaken the entire venue. It gave me the impression that he had prepared meticulously for this tournament.
The match between eventual champion Kotani (Chiba) and Katsumi (Kanagawa) also caught my attention. Kotani ultimately won by two points, but Katsumi was by no means inferior in either spirit or technique, and both competitors launched numerous attacks, making it a highly engaging match. I felt that each was able to fully display the distinctive strengths of his Kendo.
Hashimoto, the oldest competitor in the tournament, also demonstrated aggressive Seme and techniques that gave no sense of his age. Although he did not advance from the preliminary league, in his third match he scored a superb Tobikomi-men against Yokoo (Kanagawa). He is extremely disciplined and spares no effort in visiting other Dojo for Keiko or in his physical training. As we are both based in Saitama, I have seen something of the effort he puts in, and I felt that this strike was a reflection of all that work.
In the final tournament as well, every competitor showed a strong determination to bring out the best of his own Kendo. The matches were so absorbing that one hardly noticed the passage of time. The Men-kaeshi-Do that Kinoshita (Kagawa) scored against Matsumoto with the first exchange was particularly impressive. He anticipated what his opponent was aiming for and read the situation perfectly.
Kotani ultimately advanced through the tournament with a remarkably diverse range of techniques. He was equally effective moving forward or drawing back, and was also highly skilled with Oji-waza. Everything came together exceptionally well for him. Hatakenaka (Tokyo) narrowly missed the title and finished second, but his Kendo had tremendous momentum, and his willingness to apply Seme and attack proactively was very impressive. The Men he scored in the quarterfinal against his fellow Keishicho competitor Hayashi demonstrated the strength of his Seme.
Kendo with Good Posture and Composure
Terachi Yotsuyuki, Kyoshi 8th Dan
Born in Kagoshima Prefecture in 1969. After graduating from Kagoshima Shoko High School (now Shonan High School), he joined the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (Keishicho). He currently serves as Deputy Chief Kendo Instructor.
In Match 2, Matsumoto (Kanagawa) displayed excellent posture and composure, and I had the opportunity to witness two superb Men. His first Men gave away no indication of his intention, and he committed fully to the strike. For the second, he first followed through completely with Kote and then continued immediately into Men—a superb two-stage combination. Sasagawa (Saga) was likely drawn into looking at the Kote, creating the opening for the Men.
Hayashi, who like me belongs to Keishicho, also gave an excellent performance. In his opening match, he faced Noda (Gifu), who fought from Jodan. Hayashi maintained excellent posture and composure, applied Seme toward Noda’s left Kote, and seized the right opportunity to strike.
Shodai, another Keishicho competitor, was making his second appearance in the tournament. In his preliminary-league match against Masuda (Osaka), he opened with his specialty, Men, but Masuda caught the initiation of the attack with Kote. Late in the match, Shodai scored with Morote-zuki to level the score. What particularly impressed me was that it was an excellent Tsuki created by overcoming his opponent through Seme.
Hashimoto (Saitama), the oldest competitor in the tournament, also scored a superb Men against Yokoo (Kanagawa), the youngest competitor. I believe he is able to compete so effectively even against younger opponents precisely because he applies Seme while maintaining his posture and controlling the center without losing his balance.
In the quarterfinal between Hatakenaka (Tokyo) and Hayashi, the match went into Encho, where Hatakenaka caught the initiation of Hayashi’s attack and struck Men. Hayashi also had moments in the middle of the match when he applied effective Seme and launched his techniques, but in the end, Hatakenaka read the situation better and prevailed.
Hatakenaka then faced Okido (Kagoshima) in the semifinal. Okido retired from the Osaka Prefectural Police last year and is now a faculty member at the National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya. In the quarterfinal against Hagiwara Hisaya, his senior from his former organization, he scored a superb Men. Drawing on the Kendo he developed during his years in Osaka, Okido once again demonstrated a strong presence in this year’s tournament. His semifinal against Hatakenaka was also an excellent match.
In the final, Kotani applied Seme both high and low, drawing Hatakenaka’s attention before striking Men. I felt that this point demonstrated Kotani’s sharp instinct for seizing the decisive moment.
Competitors Who Displayed Their Strengths Advanced
Iwasa Hidenori, Kyoshi 8th Dan
Born in Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture, in 1969. After graduating from Funabashi Municipal High School, he attended Tokai University. Upon graduation, he joined the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (Keishicho), where he currently serves as a Kendo Instructor.
The first performance that struck me for its strong spirit and excellent Seme was Matsumoto’s (Kanagawa) opening match. He seized the right opportunities and committed fully to his strikes, giving me the impression that he was in excellent form.
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