The 60th All Japan Kendo Taiaki was held at the Nippon Budokan on November 3rd 2012, I made it to the taikai by 11:30 and had an extremely enjoyable experience despite having to leave and come back due to work.
I have been to a few other taikai at the budokan now and it's a really great experience. The budokan is massive, with some university shiai having 10 -12 or even more shiai-jo.
For the All Japan's the set up is quite different. There are only two shiai-jo with seating for spectators and VIP Sensei on the arena floor itself. Seats in the arena cost ¥6000 and usually sell out quickly, I bought my ticket for the first floor for ¥3000 at 11:30, to sit higher up costs only ¥1000 but the view form there is apparently not as good.
I found my friends and took a seat next to them. I was in time to watch a few of final first round shiai, as well as the beginning matches of the second round. The atmosphere was great, everyone there was a kendo player of some level or other, so the whole crowd was gripped by the shiai. During particularly tense shiai you could really feel the pressure coming from the fighters, and when one made took an ippon, the crowd would let out a gasp and a chorus of appreciative applause.
Continue for a review of the Semi finals and finals!
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| Uchimura vs Kiwada. 60th All Japan Kendo Championship Final |
I have been to a few other taikai at the budokan now and it's a really great experience. The budokan is massive, with some university shiai having 10 -12 or even more shiai-jo.
For the All Japan's the set up is quite different. There are only two shiai-jo with seating for spectators and VIP Sensei on the arena floor itself. Seats in the arena cost ¥6000 and usually sell out quickly, I bought my ticket for the first floor for ¥3000 at 11:30, to sit higher up costs only ¥1000 but the view form there is apparently not as good.
I found my friends and took a seat next to them. I was in time to watch a few of final first round shiai, as well as the beginning matches of the second round. The atmosphere was great, everyone there was a kendo player of some level or other, so the whole crowd was gripped by the shiai. During particularly tense shiai you could really feel the pressure coming from the fighters, and when one made took an ippon, the crowd would let out a gasp and a chorus of appreciative applause.
Continue for a review of the Semi finals and finals!
Written by John Doherty
