10回大会 IIF試し斬りルール2026（英訳版）

10th All Japan Iaido Championship
Tameshigiri Competition

International Iaido
Federation

Tameshigiri Competition Rules 2026

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Mugai-ryu cuts vividly from the first strike of Kata,
with Nukiuchi (drawing and cutting in a single action).

Hougyokukai preserves the philosophy of the lineage founder,
and is Japan’s largest Mugai-ryu organization led by Hougyoku Takeda,
the 17th Soke of Mugai-ryu (Shiokawa-Niina Lineage).

1. Usable Shinken (Live Swords)

Swords that pass all inspection criteria at the reception on the day of the event.
1. Weight must be 1,100g or less (excluding scabbard).
2. Blade width at the Yokote line must be 2.6cm or less.
3. Recommended blade width at 20cm from the Tsuba is 2.8cm or less (up to approx. 3.3cm is permitted).
4. Hira-zukuri swords (without Shinogi) are not permitted.
5. Swords with loose handguards (Tsubanari), cracked scabbards, loose Mekugi pins, or signs thereof are not permitted.

2. Target Tatami Omote (2 Attempts)

1. Competitors roll their own target tatami mats on the day of the competition.
2. Each competitor is granted 2 target tatami mats (2 attempts).
3. The 1st mat is cut during the 1st round.
   ※Depending on the Kata (e.g., Ryoguruma, Ren, Musogaeshi, Shiho), 2 or more targets may be cut within a single round.
4. Men use 1 full mat (Ichijo), while women use a half-mat (Hanjo).

3. Competition Format (3 Katas in 5 Minutes)

1. Competitors are allowed to perform trial cuts in 3 Katas within a 5-minute time limit (including time to straighten blade bends and move target stands).
2. Time is measured from the Chief Judge’s “Hajime” signal until the completion of the final abbreviated To-rei.
3. Because competition begins upon entering the court, checking target distance (Maai) and practice swings (Suburi) are prohibited; doing so invalidates that Kata with no points awarded. However, Beginners’ Division participants are permitted to unsheathe their sword and measure distance for up to 10 seconds following abbreviated To-rei.
4. In the 1st round, cuts are made using pre-submitted Katas. The Kata continues until a failure occurs, up to the completion of Chiburi and Noto. If a cut fails, the competitor must perform Tekizuke, Chiburi, and Noto on the spot.
   (※For Ryoguruma set 2 targets; for Shiho set 4. Each set counts as 1 Kata)
5. Cuts performed post-draw (Kesagiri, Gyaku-kesagiri, etc.) count as individual Katas, adding designated points upon successful execution.
6. Cuts following the initial strike (Ichino-tachi) in a Kata are scored the same as drawn-cutting technique points.
   (※For non-initial strikes in Kata, cuts must be Makko or either Left/Right Kesa)
   ※Harder Nukiuchi initial strikes carry higher point values.
7. If a failure occurs mid-Kata, successful cuts up to that point count toward points, but the Kata as a whole is deemed failed; performance moves to the next Kata.
8. Final rankings are determined by the combined total scores of Round 1 and Round 2.

4. Supplementary Regulations on Kata

1. Thrusting techniques such as Munazukushi include extracting the blade as part of the strike; failure to extract results in a failed attempt.
2. Yochuin uses a half-mat for the ankle target and a full mat in a different location for the second strike. Together, both targets count as 1 attempt.
3. For Hazumi, men use 1 full mat for all targets, while women use half-mats. Setting an additional target for the third strike requires advance application. All target mats combined count as 1 attempt.
4. For Katas with multiple enemies, set as many target mats as there are enemies; together they count as 1 attempt.
5. “Okiwara” (standing loose straw target) is permitted only for Suigetsu (※applies to initial strike only).
6. Kihon 1, Kihon 2, Shin, Ren, Sa, U, Sha, Munazukushi, Enyo, Ryoguruma, Nogukuri, Gyokko, Suigetsu, Suigetsu with Okiwara, Inchuyo, Yochuin, Hibikigaeshi, Hazumi, Maegoshi, Musogaeshi, Mawarigakari, Migino-teki, and Shiho can each be performed only once per round.

1. Target stand setup and mat placement required for the first Kata are conducted by staff under instructions from the Chief Judge and competitor prior to starting.
2. Re-inserting target mats is conducted by staff upon request by the competitor or instruction by the Chief Judge. Timer does not stop during this process.
3. If a blade bends, it may be straightened upon request by the competitor or instruction by the Chief Judge. Timer does not stop during this process.
4. Competitors wishing to change Round 2 Katas after Round 1 must submit a change request following staff procedures.
5. Round 2 begins with competitors who earned the lowest total scores in Round 1.
6. First-time participants are also scored separately within the “Beginners’ Division” (※Beginners’ Division participants wear a red sash cord).

1. Because competition begins upon entering the court, checking distance and practice swings are prohibited; doing so invalidates that Kata with no points awarded. However, Beginners’ Division participants are permitted to unsheathe their sword and measure distance for up to 10 seconds following abbreviated To-rei.
2. For any of the 3 Katas, the moment a failure occurs, that Kata ends. Points earned up to that point are retained. (If the failure occurs on the second strike, points for the first strike are awarded.)
3. Striking the floor or ground with the blade is ruled a failure, ending that Kata. Points earned prior to that strike are retained.
4. For Kesagiri, if judges observe notable occurrences of the following, it is ruled a failure, ending that Kata. Points earned prior to the attempt are retained.
   • a) The tip of the blade drops significantly.
   • b) The cutting shoulder rotates excessively forward.
5. For Gyaku-kesagiri and Yoko-ichimonji, if judges observe notable occurrences of the following, it is ruled a failure, ending that Kata. Points earned prior to the attempt are retained.
   • c) Swinging the right fist far to the left during unsheathing.
6. In addition, if the blade path (Hasuji) clearly deviates from the logic of the submitted Kata, the cut is ruled a failure, ending that Kata. Points earned prior are retained.
7. In Kata, if an attempt appears to pause or retract after unsheathing rather than cutting in a single motion, it will not be recognized as Nukiuchi and will be ruled a failure, ending that Kata. Points earned prior are retained.

1. Exceeding the 5-minute time limit results in immediate disqualification and ends that round.
2. Competitors who sustain a injury from a sword and bleed during competition are immediately disqualified, ending that round. Bleeding injuries may result in a one-rank demotion in Dan/Kyu grade.
3. If any finger on the left hand holding the scabbard extends past the Koiguchi toward the blade side when drawing, the competitor is immediately disqualified, ending that round.
4. Disqualification and round termination apply in the following cases:
   • a) Wearing accessories during competition.
   • b) Rolling up sleeves.
   • c) Competitors 3rd Dan or above not wearing a Wakizashi.
   • d) Unsamurai-like etiquette after completing cuts (e.g., pumping fists/celebrating).
   • e)The blade slipping out of the hilt due to a loose Mekugi pin or structural failure.
   • f) Wearing the sword without performing To-rei, or exiting the court without To-rei.
5. Unsheathing a sword outside the court is strictly prohibited except during post-attempt maintenance. Violations result in immediate disqualification and forfeiture of future tournament eligibility.
6. Post-attempt blade maintenance outside the court is limited strictly to applying anhydrous ethanol and sword oil for rust prevention (no sharpening). Violations result in immediate disqualification and forfeiture of future tournament eligibility.

1. Chiburi and Noto after cutting must be executed following Mugai-ryu etiquette. Judges may issue warnings for rushed or sloppy movements. Receiving 2 warnings constitutes 1 failure; upon receiving a second warning, that Kata fails, the round ends, and points earned prior are retained.
2. Judges will issue warnings for the following offenses:
   【Etiquette regarding court entry and exit】
   • a) Poor posture during bows, such as a hunched back or nodding with only the head.
   • b) Bowing while holding the sword improperly during bows.
   • c) Exposed fingers during abbreviated To-rei.
   • d) Swinging arms excessively while advancing or stepping back.
   • e) Omitting bows to the area or judges.
   
   
   【Etiquette regarding Chiburi】
   
   • f) Right hand position during Chiburi being extremely high or low.
   • g) Right hand position during Chiburi drawn too far back or pushed too far forward.
   • h) Any execution that does not conform to Mugai-ryu Chiburi.
   
   
   【Etiquette regarding Noto】
   
   • i) Failing to press/collapse the Koiguchi properly.
   • j) Obvious scooping motions (Shakuri-noto).
   • k) Excessive movement of the Tsukagashira in any direction.
   • l) Little finger of the right hand failing to rest on the Tsuka.

1. Competitors who sustain a bleeding injury from a sword during competition may face a one-rank demotion in Dan/Kyu grade.
2. Competitors disqualified for unsheathing a sword outside the court (other than for post-attempt maintenance) lose eligibility for all future tournaments.
3. Competitors disqualified for sharpening a sword during the event lose eligibility for all future tournaments.
4. If Round 1 Katas are not submitted before the deadline, only 1 target mat will be allocated for Round 1.
   ※Katas requiring multiple target mats (e.g., Ren, Ryoguruma) will not be allowed.

Scoring Table

Higher difficulty yields higher points.
Can you achieve true “cutting Iaido”?
Strategic tactics lie within the scoring table.

1. Kata Performed Post-Draw (No limit on occurrences in that round)

※ Example: Combinations like all Kesagiri, or Kesagiri + Kesagiri + Gyaku-kesagiri, are permitted.

Kata	Points
Standing Kesagiri (Left/Right separately)	1 pt
Standing Gyaku-kesagiri (Left/Right separately)	2 pts
Standing Yoko-ichimonji	8 pts
Seated Kesagiri (Left/Right separately)	3 pts
Seated Gyaku-kesagiri (Left/Right separately)	4 pts
Seated Yoko-ichimonji	10 pts

2. Nukiuchi Kata (Max 1 attempt per Kata in that round)

※ Duplicate attempts using the same Kata are not allowed. (Example: Performing all Munazukushi, or Munazukushi + Gyokko + Gyokko is prohibited regardless of rank/grade)

Kata	1st Cut	2nd Cut	3rd Cut	4th Cut	Perfect Score
Kihon I (基本一)	15	1	–	–	16 pts
Kihon II (基本二)	9	1	–	–	10 pts
Shin (真)	11	3	–	–	14 pts
Ren (連)	8	3	–	–	11 pts
Sa (左)	18	3	–	–	21 pts
U (右)	13	3	–	–	16 pts
Sha (捨)	17	3	–	–	20 pts
Munezukushi (Men) (胸尽くし 男性)※	11	1	–	–	12 pts
Munezukushi (Women) (胸尽くし 女性)※	13	1	–	–	14 pts
Enyo (円要)	16	1	–	–	17 pts
Ryosha (両車)	17	5	1	–	23 pts
No-okuri (野送り)	6	–	–	–	6 pts
Gyokko (玉光)	6	–	–	–	6 pts
Suigetsu (Men) (水月 男性)	17	11	–	–	28 pts
Suigetsu (Women) (水月 女性)	17	13	–	–	30 pts
Suigetsu with “Oki-wara” (“置き藁”での水月)	35	–	–	–	35 pts
Inchuyo (陰中陽)	8	–	–	–	8 pts
Yochuin (陽中陰)	17	2	–	–	19 pts
Hibikigaeshi (響き返し)	14	4	2	–	20 pts
Hazumi (Men) (破図味 男性)	20	4	4	2	30 pts
Hazumi (Women) (破図味 女性)	20	6	6	2	34 pts
Maegoshi (前腰)	13	1	–	–	14 pts
Musogaeshi (夢想返し)	13	5	–	–	18 pts
Mawarigakari (廻り懸り)	17	1	–	–	18 pts
Migi no Teki (右の敵)	15	1	–	–	16 pts
Shiho (四方)	17	5	7	3	32 pts

* Note: As the commentary videos are the 2024 version, if there are any discrepancies with the latest rules, the descriptions in the 10th Tournament Rules shall take precedence.

* Regarding points for “Nukiuchi Thrust” in Munazukushi: If the kissaki (tip of the sword) is out of the Saya (scabbard) while in the thrusting posture, it will be considered a “thrust from an unsheathed state” and reduced to 4 points.

* If the main judge determines that the cut and the final sword position at the end of the technique are executed ideally, an additional 3 points will be awarded.