Men's Individual Quarterfinals Court 2 Section2Match

Encho 1 (extension) — Hakkaku（八⻆） wins

📅 August 2–5, 2026 📍 Lotto Arena Nara

The quarterfinals of the 73rd All Japan High School Kendo Championships for the men's individual event were held, and Hakkaku（八⻆） defeated Mitsui（三井）. With no valid strikes from either side during the regulation time, the match entered encho at 0-0, where Hakkaku decided the match with a kote. The match time was 5 minutes and 41 seconds.

Matchup

Red Mitsui Sota（三井湊太） / Tokaidai Sapporo（東海大札幌） / Hokkaido3rd Year 3rd dan
Mitsui（三井） is a 3rd-year sandan from Tokaidai Sapporo. The school's kendo club sets the goal of "Constant victory through 'Seiken Fumetsu'! Aiming for national conquest!!" and has a record of appearing in the national tournament more than 35 times for the men's team.
White Hakkaku（八⻆響） / Shitennoji Higashi（四天王寺東） / Osaka3rd Year 3rd dan
Hakkaku（八⻆） is a 3rd-year sandan from Shitennoji Higashi. He competed in the 2026 men's individual event.

Highlights

A tense development where no winner was decided within the regulation time, leading to an encho match.

A match characterized by steady offense and defense

A brilliant do by Hakkaku（八⻆） in Encho 1, scoring the winning ippon

Live commentary video

Valid strike

#	Situation	Red and White	Players	Technique
1	Encho 1	White	Hakkaku（八⻆）	Do

Conclusion: Encho 1
Match time: 5:41
Winner: Hakkaku（八⻆）（White）
Foul: 三井湊太Posted on the board (it is not clear from the flash report when the foul occurred)

Text Commentary

Commentary
剣持翔

The 73rd National High School Kendo Tournament, Men's Individual Quarterfinals. Court 2, Match 2.

Explanation
堂島厳

The highlight here is the steady offense and defense from both sides. It is a match to watch to see who will break first.

Commentary
剣持翔

Red is Tokaidai Sapporo's Mitsui（三井）, and white is Shitennoji Higashi's Hakkaku（八⻆）. They face each other with flawless stances.

Explanation
堂島厳

The tactical maneuvering is extremely cautious. With high concentration, they are not letting the opponent strike easily.

Commentary
剣持翔

A fierce exchange of attacks takes place within the time limit, but no valid strike is scored.

Explanation
堂島厳

Both sides felt each other out, leading to a steady exchange of strikes.

Commentary
剣持翔

0-0. The match goes into encho.

Explanation
堂島厳

From here, it is a battle of mental strength. A single moment of weakness will determine the outcome.

Commentary
剣持翔

Encho 1, white's Hakkaku（八⻆） stepped in sharply!

Explanation
堂島厳

It's in!

Commentary
剣持翔

Do! Hakkaku（八⻆） in white scores a do!

Explanation
堂島厳

It was a do with perfect timing. This settles it.

Commentary
剣持翔

Match time 5 minutes 41 seconds. With an ippon in Encho 1, the white Hakkaku（八⻆） claimed victory.

Explanation
堂島厳

They fought tenaciously until the end and brilliantly scored an ippon.

Commentary
剣持翔

The one who prevailed in the fierce battle was Shitennoji Higashi's Hakkaku（八⻆）. A splendid victory!

To both players

Congratulations to Hakkaku（八⻆） for the victory. We also commend Mitsui（三井） for fighting bravely and never giving up until the end, despite the unfortunate loss. We look forward to the further growth of both players.

Tokaidai Sapporo（東海大札幌）

Official name: 東海大学付属札幌高等学校
Reading: Tokaidai Sapporo
Division/Category of Establishment: Private (coeducational). Affiliated school of Tokai University.
Location: 1-1-1 Nanazawa 5-jo 1-chome, Minami-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido.
History: Founded as Tokai University Fourth High School in April 1964. The school relocated to its current location in April 2016 and changed its name to Tokai University Affiliated Sapporo High School.
School motto/philosophy: Providing education based on the founding spirit of Tokai University (details are posted on the academy website).
Department.: General Studies (Special Advanced Course・Comprehensive Advanced Course)
Kendo Club: The team’s goal is “Victory with unwavering spirit and technique!” aiming for national dominance!! According to the school kendo club page, they have qualified for the All Japan High School Kendo Tournament more than 35 times for the boys and 6 times for the girls, achieving 3rd place in both the boys’ and girls’ team events at Inter-High, as well as one 2nd place and three 3rd place finishes in the individual competition. They have also produced 6 graduates who have passed the 8th dan kendo examination. As of 2021, the club has 25 male and 12 female members. Practice takes place in the Kendo Dojo (2nd floor of the Second Gymnasium) on weekdays after school until 7:30 PM, and on weekends and holidays from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Notes: At schools affiliated with Tokai University, the term "affiliated" is used.

Source: https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/東海大学付属札幌高等学校↗ http://www.sapporo.tokai.ed.jp/club/kendo/↗ https://www.sapporo.tokai.ed.jp/↗ https://app.notion.com/p/cf2f85b1f0184eb2a1dd0cf71e02c924↗

Shitennoji Higashi（四天王寺東）

Official name: 四天王寺東高等学校
Reading: Shitennoji Higashi
Division/Category of Establishment: Private (Shitennoji Gakuen Educational Corporation)
Location: 3-1-78 Kasugaka, Fujiidera City, Osaka Prefecture
History: Shitennoji Gakuen Junior High School opened on April 1, 2014, and Shitennoji Gakuen High School opened on April 1, 2017. This was effectively a relocation and reconstruction of Shitennoji Habikioka High School and Junior High School, which were located in Habikino City and closed in conjunction with the opening of this school. To avoid confusion with Shitennoji High School, the name was changed to the current one in April 2020. The campus is located on part of the former site of Fujiidera Stadium.
Department.: Full-time Course / General Studies (Course III, Course II, Course I)
Kendo Club: The official website's club activities page states "All Japan High School Kendo Selected Tournament Boys' Team 3rd Place," "All Japan High School Kendo Selected Tournament Boys' and Girls' Teams Participation," and "All Japan High School Kendo Tournament Boys' and Girls' Teams Participation" (no year specified). Daily practice is conducted to put into practice the concept that "Kendo is a path of human character building through the study of the principles of the sword."
Notes: History, school motto, and location are to be investigated (TODO).

Source: https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/四天王寺東中学校・高等学校↗ https://www.shitennojigakuen.ed.jp/higashi/highs/club_info/↗

Source: 73rd All Japan High School Kendo Tournament Official Website "Tournament Bulletin" (Match Results / Tournament Bracket)
https://inhigh.kendotaikai.jp/大会速報↗
Only facts recorded in the logs (matches, valid strikes and their order, outcomes, match duration, and presence of fouls) are listed. The play-by-play and commentary are AI-generated content.