10th All Japan Championship
-Jiyu Kumitachi-
Event Summary
大会概要
The only tournament in Japan where samurai clash and the art of Iai is put to the test.
Key Visual
Official Key visual
Official Trailer
Clash of Samurai and Samurai!
This is iai!
Cut the enemy without being cut yourself!
The Jiyu Kumitachi competition is coming again, where the art of iai will be tested!
This is the only tournament in Japan where you can see samurai clash, now celebrating its 10th anniversary!
To fight or to be fought.
There is only one pinnacle!
For our 10th anniversary, the stage moves to the Yokohama Budokan Arena!
The tournament advisor being the Gyokuso Niina Soke of the Meishi-ha school of Mugai-ryu.
In this space, the boundary between the audience and the arena disappears. You witness the blinding speed, the heavy breathing, and every drop of sweat. This is not for “spectating”—it is a choice made to let you “stand with” the warriors.
Organised by the International Iaido Organization Hogyokukai, the largest national organisation and single body of Mugai-ryu, and open to all styles and factions, the fierce competition was a sight to behold!
Keep an eye on this hot day to determine the strongest in 2026, as details will continue to be updated until Saturday 4 July!
Overview
| Date & Time | Saturday, July 4, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Venue |
Yokohama Budokan Arena （2-9-10 Choja-machi, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 231-0033, Japan） |
| Organizer | International Iaido Federation Hogyokukai |
| Format | Jiyu Kumitachi Open Tournament ＊Entry is open to practitioners from other styles/factions, provided they have permission from their organization’s leader. |
| Categories |
・Little Junior（to 3rd grade） ・Junior（to 6th grade） ・Youth（Under 18） ・Masters（from 50） ・Newcomers（first tournament participation） ・General Women ・General Men |
👉About International Iaido Federation Hogyokukai
What is International Iaido Federation Hogyokukai?
Japan’s Largest Mugai-ryu Iaido Organization: International Iaido Federation Hogyokukai
340 Years of Heritage: From the Founder to Hogyokukai
A 340-Year Lineage: From the Founder through the Restorer, to Soke Niina, and onto Hogyokukai founded by his direct disciple. We carry the weight of both technique and philosophy.
Soke Gyokusho Niina: The Master of “Cutting Iaido”
The late Soke Shiokawa Hosho was a high-ranking disciple of legendary masters: Mabuni Kenwa (Founder of Shito-ryu Karate), Ueshiba Morihei (Founder of Aikido), and Jo-do masters Ottofuji Ichizo and Nakajima Asakichi. He became the Soke of Shito-ryu Karate and the 15th Soke of Mugai-ryu. His direct disciple, Soke Niina Gyokusho, who has spread Mugai-ryu across the globe, is the master of Chairman Takeda Hogyoku.
Master Hogyoku Takeda, OSS: The Master of “Authentic Iaido”
Kyoshi 8th Dan, Mugai Shinden Mugai-ryu Iaido Hyodo
・Featured in the Toshiba FlashAir TV commercial.
・Iaido Supervisor for the Toei Video stage production “Keishicho Battoka”.
・Lead Star in the NBC Tokyo Olympics special program for one of the top three U.S. networks.
・Instructor at the Tokyo American Club, Japan’s most prestigious social club.
・In the fall of 2023, at the request of Konkai Komyoji Temple—the historic headquarters where Lord Matsudaira Katamori resided as the Kyoto Protector—he appeared for 21 days as a special feature of the Autumn Special Viewing, completing 43 demonstrations.
・In 2020, he was awarded the “OSS Taisho” (Great General) within the Order of the Scottish Samurai (OSS) and the Scottish Samurai Awards, an honor officially recognized by the UK.
・Lead Star in the 2020 promotional video for the Kansai Tourism Federation, covering 2 prefectures, 8 shires, and 4 major ordinance-designated cities.
・Lead Star in the 2021 international promotional video for the Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau, produced for global conventions.
・In 2020, he was inducted into the “Masters and Grandmasters” series by the prestigious martial arts magazine Gekkan Hiden. His instructional DVD, Introduction to Mugai-ryu Iaido, reached #1 on the Amazon Bestseller rankings for both volumes and was awarded the “Amazon’s Choice” badge.
・His 2024 DVD release, Mugai-ryu Iaido, also secured the #1 spot on the Amazon Bestseller rankings and was officially recognized as an “Amazon Bestseller.”
The largest nationwide Mugai-ryu organization in Japan
The International Iaido Federation Hogyokukai is the largest nationwide Mugai-ryu organization operating as a single entity. Unlike typical local circles, it is a legally incorporated federation—a rarity in the world of Iaido. This corporate status ensures a professional foundation that allows for secure credit card transactions and provides media outlets, travel agencies, and event organizers with the reliability and peace of mind necessary for professional partnerships.
The Mission of Hogyokukai (Raison d’être)
A mission is an organization’s raison d’être—its very reason for existence. Every activity we undertake is guided by this purpose.
The mission of Hogyokukai is “To contribute to the personal growth of every member through the power of the largest Mugai-ryu organization” (Revised 2025).
Hogyokukai is Japan’s largest nationwide Mugai-ryu organization operating as a single entity. It is this organizational strength that allows us to hold All-Japan Championships for all three pillars of the art—”Kata,” “Kumitachi,” and “Tameshigiri”—and to welcome distinguished figures, such as the Mayor of Kyoto and top Tokyo government officials, as Honorary Chairmen of our tournament committees. Furthermore, the official patronage from Boards of Education provides children with significant achievements that can be included in their academic records and school applications.
The abundance of opportunities and venues for challenge creates once-in-a-lifetime memories and serves as a vital catalyst for personal growth.
In accordance with this mission, Hogyokukai is dedicated to the dissemination and instruction of Mugai-ryu Iaido.
The Decisive Stage — Yokohama Budokan
Access
| By Train |
JR Negishi Line:
6-minute walk from the South Exit of Kannai Station.
Municipal Subway:
4-minute walk from Isezaki-chojamachi Station.
|
|---|---|
| By Car | Shuto Expressway Route 1 Yokohaba: Approx. 2 minutes from the Yokohama-koen Exit. |
Schedule
※Subject to change. Current information is estimated.
(1) Athlete Procession
(2) National Anthem
(3) Greetings / Opening Address
(4) Congratulatory Speeches
(5) Return of Trophies
(6) Commemorative Demonstration / Shiho-harai (Four-Direction Purification Ritual)
(7) Live Calligraphy Performance (by Master Rensui)
(8) Formal Declaration of Opening
• Beginners Division
• Little Juniors / Juniors Division
• Ladies / Masters / Youth Division
-Conferred by Soke Gyokusho Niina (Meishi-ha)-
Mugai Shinden Mugai-ryu Iaido Hyodo
-Menkyo Kaiden（Full Proficiency License) Recipient-
International Iaido Federation Hogyokukai
Master Hogyoku Takeda
Mugai Shinden Mugai-ryu Iaido Hyodo
-Renshi 7th Dan Certification-
Vice Master Ogyoku Yasumura
-Okuiri-sho / Bugo(Martial Name) Conferment-
Director Shuyoku Minowa
Men’s Division
＜3rd-Place Play-offs & Finals＞
• Beginners Division
• Little Juniors Division
• Youth Division
• Masters Division
• Ladies Division
Men’s Division: Entrance of the Best 8
Men’s Division: Quarter-Finals
Men’s Division: Semi-Finals
Men’s Division: 3rd-Place Play-off
Men’s Division: Final Match
※Subject to change. Current information is estimated.
Officials
Tournament Advisor
Gyokuso Niina (Soke, Mugai-ryu Meishi-ha)
Tournament Chairman
Hogyoku Takeda (Master, International Iaido Federation Hogyokukai)
Executive Committee Advisor
Ogyoku Yasumura (Vice Master, International Iaido Federation Hogyokukai)
Tournament Executive Committee
Tournament Executive Committee Chair
Yutaka Eto (Director, International Iaido Federation / Deputy Director, Office of the Chairman / Kanagawa Branch Manager, Hogyokukai)
Tournament Executive Committee Member
Yuko Okuda (Vice Manager, Saitama Branch, Hogyokukai / Head of Soka Dojo)
Public Relations & Production
Public Relations Director
Hogyoku Takeda (Master, International Iaido Federation Hogyokukai)
Public Relations Video Producer
Toshiyuki Koike (Tokyo Jousai Branch Manager, Hogyokukai)
Production Director
Kumashiro Giuliano (Director of International Department, International Iaido Federation / Head of So-honbu TAC Dojo, Hogyokukai)
Webmaster / Website Update Manager
Shin Uchiyama (Head of Nagoya Dojo, Aichi Branch, Hogyokukai)
Judges & Operations
Chief Judge
Hogyoku Takeda (Master, International Iaido Federation Hogyokukai)
Deputy Chief Judge
Kento Minowa (Director, International Iaido Federation / Tokyo Toshin Branch Manager, Hogyokukai)
Online Streaming Leader
Tomohiro Tanaka (MUGAI Broadcasting Leader, International Iaido Federation / Deputy Director, Office of the Chairman / Saitama Branch Manager, Hogyokukai)
Photography Leader
Tomohiro Tanaka
Registration Leader
Shin Uchiyama (Head of Nagoya Dojo, Aichi Branch, Hogyokukai)
Venue Setup Leader
Toshio Imai (Head of Musashikosugi Dojo, Kanagawa Branch, Hogyokukai)
Operations Leader
Akane Nishizawa (Tokyo Toshin Branch, Hogyokukai)