Hoku Tozai Taikai – 北東西大会

Hoku Tozai Taikai is a good will event where West and East meet across the Baltic sea in one single great team match. The hosting part is rotated between the partaking countries.

The teams are allowed to bring on anyone to fight on their behalf. In 2022 for example East had fighters from Finland, Latvia and Estonia

The name of the event is a reference to the Japanese East West championships Tozai Taikai; Hoku ToZai Taikai basically means Northern East West Championships.

What is it all about?

The spirit of this event is to summon anyone that is willing to fight for either West or East. Your effort is valued the same whether you are a junior, a beginner without a bogu, a national team member or a 7 dan senior.

If you are in a bogu and have experience in ji-geiko you will do regular shiai; if you are not, you will compete in Kirikaeshi, Uchikomi or similar.

Because of this we also do not have any full time referees (as everyone should compete!) but the participants are refereeing the matches. Participants with higher grades will be referees and when the referees’ matches are starting the number of shiai-jo will be reduced to accommodate for that.

East or West?

Typically, countries east or west of the baltic sea competes for their geographical side. Other countries are more fluent, based on number of participants or whims.

The System

System may vary depending on number of players. The aim is that all shiaisha shall do as many shiai as possible (the target is 6 matches) and that a total score can be generated.

The managers of the teams will review rosters and will try to match the players, as closely as possible in both age, grade and experience.
In case of beginners and juniors, a high safety level for the participants is also taken into consideration.

Go to Hoku Tozai Taikai 2024!