The 10th All Japan Iaido Championship
Jiyu Kumitachi
International Iaido Federation
Jiyu Kumitachi Full Contact
Practical Iaido Rules 2026
Etiquette and Match Flow
1. In the Competitor Waiting Area (Outside the Court)
・Competitors must gather at the court bringing their soft sword, head guard, and gloves.
・Following the management staff’s guidance, the next competitors to fight must put on their head guard, gloves, waist cord, and ring in advance.
・Other competitors should line up and wait in a kneeling (Seiza) or cross-legged (Agura) position.
* Soft swords can be picked up at the reception on the day of the event.
* Waist cords and rings will be loaned by the management staff at the competitor waiting area before each match. Please follow their instructions, line up, and wait.
* For the Men’s Open Division, from the quarterfinals onward (top 8 competitors), matches will be fought without head guards. (Failure to remove the head guard will result in disqualification.)
* For the Women’s Open Division and the Masters Division, from the semifinals onward (top 4 competitors), it is optional to remove the head guard.
2. Bow to the Court, then Enter
When your name is called, answer with “Hai” (Yes), bow to the court, enter, and proceed to the starting line.
Do not sheathe the soft sword yet; hold it in your right hand.
3. Bow to the Front (Kamiza), Bow to Each Other
Once both you and your opponent are at the starting line, face the Kamiza (front) and bow at the referee’s command, then turn back and bow to each other.
4. Kumitachi Stance → Match Start
At the referee’s command “Taito” (Sheathe sword), pass the soft sword through the ring to secure it at your waist. Place your left hand on the sheathed sword, place your right hand on the second fold from the outside of your hakama, and assume a cat-foot stance (Nekoashi-dachi), taking the same stance as in Yakusoku Kumitachi.
The match begins with the command “Hajime!” (Start). The battle starts at this exact moment. Maintain a stance from which you can draw your sword at any time.
* Since this is an Iaido match, the first strike must be a drawing strike (Nukiuchi).
* If you start in a Kenjutsu style (already drawing and holding the sword), you will be immediately ordered to “Noto” (Sheathe sword).
5. During the Match
・Stop all movements immediately when the referee commands “Yame!” (Stop).
・Once a match is decided by an Ippon victory, return to the starting line position.
・In the case of a simultaneous strike (Aiuchi), resume the match as soon as the referee gives the “Saikai” (Resume) command.
* A beanbag (Azuki-bukuro) will be thrown into the court when the 1-minute match time has elapsed. The match will enter an extension, so please follow the referee’s instructions.
6. From Match Decision to Leaving the Court
Return to the initial starting line, remove the soft sword from your waist, and hold it in your right hand. Bow to each other at the referee’s command, then face the Kamiza (front) and bow.
Afterward, step backward while facing forward, keeping the sword in your right hand. Once you step outside the court, bow to the court from that position.
7. Sitting Bow (Zarei) with the Opponent
After leaving the court, quickly face your opponent in a kneeling position (Seiza) at the back of the court area, and perform a sitting bow (Zarei) to each other. Regardless of victory or defeat, show gratitude and respect to your opponent.
Then, quickly move to the respective waiting spaces for the winner and the loser. The winner returns to Step 1 to prepare for the next match.
* Please do not forget to return the loaned waist cord and ring to the nearby management staff.
Required Items
Head Guard
Any type is acceptable, provided it covers both the face and the top of the head.
* For the Men’s Open Division, from the quarterfinals onward (top 8 competitors), matches will be fought without this head guard. (Failure to remove it will result in disqualification.)
* For the Women’s Open Division and the Masters Division, from the semifinals onward (top 4 competitors), it is optional to remove the head guard.
Open-Finger Gloves
There is no specified model, but please prepare open-finger type gloves where the finger sections are exposed.
Waist Cord and Ring ScabbardNo need to bring
There is no specified model. They will be loaned on the day of the tournament, so you do not need to bring your own. Place the soft sword inside the ring that serves as a scabbard. If a wakizashi (short sword) is required, separate ring scabbards are necessary for both the tachi (long sword) and wakizashi, just like in actual practice.
Official Soft SwordNo need to bring
Soft swords will be distributed on the day of the tournament according to size standards based on the competitor’s height. Only the official soft swords distributed at the reception can be used in the tournament.
Iaido Match
(1) Since this is an Iaido match, the first strike must be a drawing strike (Nukiuchi).
(2) If you start in a Kenjutsu style (already drawing and holding the sword), you will be immediately ordered to “Noto” (Sheathe sword). Entering the court with a drawn sword is not permitted. Failure to comply will result in Caution 1.
Win by Striking Without Being Struck
(3) If the blade portion hits any part of the opponent’s body, it counts as Ippon (one full point) for victory.
* However, simultaneous strikes (Aiuchi), hits only on the hakama or sleeves, hits only on the hilt (Tsuka) or guard (Tsuba), or clear strikes with the back of the blade (Mune) are invalid.
(4) If the opponent drops their sword, executing Chiburi (blood-shaking) and Zanshin (awareness) before they pick it up results in an Ippon victory.
(5) Regular match duration is 1 minute. The extension for a tie-break is 30 seconds.
(6) Disqualification (Hansoku) results in an Ippon loss. Accumulating two Cautions (Chui) results in an Ippon loss.
(7) To utilize Iaido techniques, momentary body arts (Taijutsu) below the neck, such as grabbing, pushing, hooking, and sweeping, are permitted (excluding throws). In such cases, even if you down the enemy, the sword or your body must maintain contact with the enemy’s body.
Non-momentary acts of brute strength may result in “Caution 1.”
(8) An immediate thrust following a draw (Nuki-soku-tsuki) is permitted. However, if there is even a momentary pause between drawing and thrusting, it is penalized and may result in “Caution 1.”
5 Referees, Ippon by Majority Vote
(9) Typically, matches are judged by 1 head referee and 4 corner referees. Achieving a majority vote results in an Ippon.
* In matches with specific regulations, such as repechages, the number of corner referees may be reduced to 2.
* The color of your waist cord corresponds to the color of the referee’s flag.
Simulating Real Combat! Simultaneous Strikes Are Invalid
(10) A simultaneous strike (Aiuchi) counts as a draw and is invalid. Freezing in place means death in real combat. Following the head referee’s instruction, competitors must sheathe their swords and restart the engagement.
Engage in Inspiring Battles
As samurai standing on the battlefield, let us strive for battles that evoke deep emotion.
(11) If a stalemate occurs with swords drawn, you will be ordered to sheathe your sword for a reset. The standard duration for a stalemate is 10 seconds. Whether fighting standing or sitting, a stalemate of approximately 10 seconds triggers a reset. Since this is not simple swordplay (Chanbara), meaningless consecutive strikes will trigger a “Mate” (Wait) command and a reset. A “Stand and Sheathe” command will be given. Return to the starting line, and the match will resume at the head referee’s command.
(12) Failure to display an intent to engage may result in “Caution 1.”
(13) Referees may command “Yame” (Stop) depending on the situation. Failure to comply may result in “Caution 1.” Attacking while ignoring the “Yame” command may lead to “Disqualification.”
Cautions and Disqualification
Throws, Tackles, Shoving, etc.
(15) Excluding the momentary body arts permitted in (7), martial arts techniques such as throws, tackles, and shoving are prohibited. Violations may result in “Caution 1.” Keep the battle beautiful.
Intentional Thrusts to the Throat
(16) If the referees determine that a thrust to the throat was intentional, a “Disqualification” will be declared upon consensus of the referee panel.
Intentional Attacks to the Groin
(17) If the referees determine that an attack to the groin (vital point) was intentional, a “Disqualification” will be declared upon consensus of the referee panel.
Attacking a Downed Opponent
(18) Do not attack an opponent who has fallen, whether due to slipping or losing balance. The referee will call “Yame” (Stop). Regardless of whether it occurs before or after the “Yame” command, attacking a downed opponent will result in a “Disqualification” upon consensus of the referee panel.
Kicking and Punching
(19) Excluding the momentary body arts permitted in (7), kicking and punching are prohibited. A “Disqualification” will be declared upon consensus of the referee panel.
Prohibition of Provocative Behavior
(20) Provocative behavior is deemed an act that violates the etiquette of martial arts, and a “Disqualification” will be declared.
* Provocative behavior includes gestures, poses, remarks, or striking the floor with the soft sword to bait an attack.
Prohibition of Victory Gestures (Guts Poses)
(21) Victory gestures (such as fist-pumping or guts poses) are prohibited even after a victory decision, as they violate the etiquette of martial arts. A “Disqualification” will be declared.
(22) General acts deemed by the referees to disrupt tournament operations or violate martial arts etiquette—such as repeatedly stepping out of bounds intentionally or throwing the sword—may result in a declaration of “Disqualification.”
Rule Reference Videos
* The following videos are from past tournaments. Therefore, some subtitles or content may be outdated. The text written above reflects the latest official rules.