The so-called "Yokohama Seventh Dan Tournament" has been gaining more and more popularity in recent years.

This year, Keiichi Hashimoto became the first professional fencer to win the title.

Did our readers know that the Seventh Dan Tournament was previously held in Nishikimachi, Kumamoto Prefecture, as the "Swordsman Marume Kurando Honoring All-Japan Selected Kendo Seventh Dan Championship Tournament?"

The All-Japan Kendo Seventh Dan Championship was revived in 2014 to commemorate the publication of the 500th issue of the monthly magazine Kendo Jidai, co-hosted by the magazine and the Kanagawa Prefecture Kendo Federation.

We interviewed Kendo Jidai's editor-in-chief, Kobayashi, to find out why Kendo Jidai, a kendo magazine, decided to organize a tournament.

profile

Kobayashi Noburo: Born in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1972. In 1995, he joined Taiiku to Sports Publishing and was assigned to the Kendo Jidai editorial department. He became editor-in-chief in 2010. He is a kendo master with a 7th dan.

The Seventh Dan Tournament, the Road to Recovery

Editor-in-Chief Kobayashi: "In recent years, the Seventh Dan Tournament has been held in Nishiki Town, Kumamoto Prefecture. It is known as the birthplace of the master swordsman, Marume Kurando. Marume Kurando founded the Taisharyu style of swordsmanship and served as a swordsmanship instructor for the Sagara clan."

Image source: Nishiki Town website ( http://www.nishiki-machi.com/summary/marume.html )

—So the tournament was originally run by a town called Nishikicho!

Editor-in-Chief Kobayashi: " A whole town was running the large-scale tournament. Sometimes the townspeople would host the players in their homes, like private lodgings. The players who participated were seventh-dan at the time, so most of the teachers are now eighth-dan.

It was a spectacular event, with a lecture by Master Yanagiya Kosan, then president of the Rakugo Association and a seventh-degree Kendo master. It was a sad event that came to a close."

--Why did Kendo Jidai, a kendo magazine, decide to revive the Seventh Dan Tournament?

Editor-in-Chief Kobayashi : " The main reason is that we want to revive a venue for seventh-dan players to play individual matches . There are eighth-dan matches, but there is now no venue for seventh-dan players to play matches."

Why did you become involved in management?

Editor-in-Chief Kobayashi : "It's common for magazines to look back on past tournaments in commemorative issues. That's fine for the magazine, but we wanted to do something different."

--I see! The tournament is run in collaboration with the Kanagawa Prefecture Kendo Federation, isn't it?

Editor-in-Chief Kobayashi: "We thought it would be difficult for us to run the tournament on our own. Running a tournament requires both manpower and money. To solve this problem, we consulted with Mr. Kobayashi Hideo, chairman of the Kanagawa Prefecture Kendo Federation. When we explained the purpose of hosting the tournament, he said, 'It's a meaningful event, so let's co-host it.' We were very grateful for his help."

—The judges are also a distinguished group.

Editor-in-Chief Kobayashi: "The selection criteria for the players are those who have won prizes in national-level competitions. We wanted to ask judges who have the same track record to officiate matches between top athletes, and we were able to get their approval."

-I thought the concept of the tournament you told me about the other day was very apt.

Editor-in-Chief Kobayashi: "The concept of the tournament is ' from the first match to the final . ' No matter which league you look at, it's a 'league of death' (laughs). It's well worth watching. This year, Keiichi Hashimoto became the first professional fencer to win the championship."

-It really wouldn't be surprising if anyone won!

Editor-in-Chief Kobayashi: "It's a great challenge for players aiming to become number one in Japan. I would be happy if it continues to become a tournament that seventh-dan players aim for in the future."

-How do you think the players perceive it?

Editor-in-Chief Kobayashi: "This is a place for 7th-dan players to test the results of their training and their current abilities, and it is also a stepping stone for those aiming to reach the highest rank in Japan, 8th-dan."

Utilizing crowdfunding

Editor-in-Chief Kobayashi : "As we've held the event more and more, we've received a lot of feedback from kendo fans and enthusiasts saying , 'We want it to continue.' The current venue, the Kanagawa Prefectural Budokan, is small, and spectators have to sit on the wooden floor, but we're grateful to have so many people come every year."

-You are using crowdfunding to raise funds for the tournament. I don't think there has been an example of crowdfunding being used in the kendo industry until now.

Editor-in-Chief Kobayashi : "I knew about crowdfunding. The primary purpose was to raise funds. Another purpose was to promote the tournament . I think many people learned about the tournament through social media."

*Image source: Ready for ( https://readyfor.jp/crowdfunding )

-You started using crowdfunding three years ago. You were successful in reaching your target amount from the first time .

Editor-in-Chief Kobayashi : "We were lucky enough to be successful from the very first attempt. The crowdfunding company also participated in designing the rewards, which is why we've been able to continue to be successful."

*Participants in the 2018 event

Image source: Physical Education and Sports Publishing

summary

Now that Kendo Nippon has ceased publication, Kendo Jidai is the only traditional kendo magazine. Not only does it deliver articles as a medium, but it also contributes to the kendo industry through the organization of tournaments.

Although I can't write about it here, he shared various ideas for "Kendo Jidai." I share the same desire as BUSHIZO to contribute to the development of the kendo industry , so I would be very happy if we could work together to liven up the kendo industry in some way!

I pray for the continued development of the "Kendo Jidai," which embodies the idea of ​​learning from the past to create something new.

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