Utilizing technology for resolving scoring disputes in Kendo practice?

In the world of Kendo, a martial art that originated in Japan, the question of technology in scoring has sparked passionate discussions within the community. This debate echoes the controversy that surfaced in Judo, another Japanese martial art, when it became an Olympic sport in 1964 and adopted clear judging standards, including video review.

The year was 1929, and Kendo official Kengo Tominaga found himself in a heated debate with the famous kendoka Sasaburou Takano. The topic at hand? Factors influencing fairness in Kendo competitions. Tominaga's name has since been etched in Kendo history, as he warned about the challenges that might arise if the referees, known as shinpan, were not truly united.

Kendo's scoring system relies heavily on the subjective determination of these shinpan. A strike is only awarded if at least two referees agree that the strike satisfies the ideal of ki-ken-tai no icchi - a combination of correct timing, proper form, and strong intent. However, it is not uncommon for players and audiences to express frustration over the scoring after matches.

The current "three-person-referee system", introduced in modern Japan during the early Showa era, was designed to reduce individual bias and improve scoring accuracy. In theory, all three referees have equal authority. However, in practice, assistant referees often defer to the chief referee in uncertain situations.

Sadayuki Mimori, Renshi 7th Dan of The All Japan Kendo Federation, argues that accurately striking the opponent's target area is only a superficial goal, and the true purpose is spiritual cultivation. On the other hand, some advocate for modern technology, such as video replay or sensor-based scoring, to provide objective evidence for reviewing close calls in Kendo.

Opponents argue that such changes could undermine Kendo's spiritual and educational essence, with misjudgments serving as opportunities for humility, self-reflection, and growth. They fear that Kendo, like Judo, might lose its martial art spirit in the process of standardization and application of technology.

Despite years of standardization and application of technology, debates over misjudgment persist, as shown in the Paris Olympics Judo controversy. Some argue that introducing technology in Kendo could help address these concerns, providing a more objective and consistent scoring system.

The Japanese martial art Kendo is not registered in the Olympic Games due to the subjective judgment of its scoring. However, as Kendo expands globally, concerns over fairness and consistency in Kendo judging have grown louder. The debate between tradition and technology in Kendo continues, with both sides making compelling arguments. It remains to be seen how this debate will shape the future of this ancient martial art.