[Tryphadz]

I came across an Japanese essay on the history of Kendo and Iai. There're a lot of funny things on pre-war Kendo.... and this is the relevent section (Japanese):-

http://www.geocities.co.jp/Athlete-A...JissenBudo.htm

The information is actually from a published book, "History of Nippon Kendo", by Otsuka Tadayoshi. Here's my brief+incredibly crappy translation (reguarding our subject of "ippon shobu")---
*****

Kendo's Concentration on Practicality

During the Pacific War, xxxblablahxxx... There was significant concentration on the applicability of Kendo. From then onwards, the use of a light-weight, long (both the hilt and blade) shinai was abolished. There's a cry for shinai use that resembles the actual usage of a real sword. Of course, a thrust into the face is still invalid. Blahblah.... Here're the common points for "Practical Kendo":--

>>>Denial of 3-point fights/Sanpon Shobu; Ippon-Shobu-ization (Just one chance... the dead cannot stand)
>>>It's okay to strike Hidari-Kote/Gyaku-Kote
>>>Katate-waza is invalid/not counted (BUT valid when right hand is underneath tsuba. Since if you hold the end of the tsuka (not the center) with one hand only, on impact the tsuka will break)
>>> Any cut executed from Tsuba-zeriai by going backwards is not counted
>>>Promotion of outdoor Keiko & Shiai
>>>Appreciation of cuts/waza starting from very long distance with running footwork
>>>Grabbing the ground with your toes & soles outdoor
>>>Using shinai of the same length+weight of real swords (i.e. within #36)
>>>Encouraging alternative soldier-style shiai --team vs team in a single shiai
>>>Encouraging cutting competition
>>>All cuts should be big and the sword in a circular movement (no-no for wirst/shoulder-turning cuts --fast cuts are too light; Have to use upper-body and upper-arm to cause effective destruction)
>>>Shiai does not start from sonkyo, but from the initial standing Rei

Now that's Wartime Kendo~!