Many firsts at the Inazuma 2026

For this year’s article on the PSV-Mainz’s yearly beginner Seminar and Tournament – the Inazuma – two people from different Dojo share their experience.

First Carsten Kaspar from Tatsumaki Naginata K.u.S. Dellfeld shares his experience:

This year, once again, the Inazuma seminar took place in Mainz.

On Saturday morning the ungraded people up to and including 4th Kyu were instructed by Jonas Stock, who at the same time was leading a seminar for the very first time. Meanwhile the other participants had the pleasure to train with Ines Klose.

Around noon the Shiaijo was built, while Martin Röthig prepared the referees for tomorrows tournament in a Shinpan block and after the lunch break the Shinpan finished their theoretical part of the seminar while the other participants warmed up in Bogu with Jonas.

Then, during the afternoon, everyone found a partner for a fight, in the fashion of a little mock tournament, followed by a technical Engi mock tournament. This way the referees and the participants could properly prepare for the upcoming Tournament on Sunday.

All in all, one can say that everyone gave it their all during the seminar and the following tournament, making it yet another fun, interesting and memorable Inazuma, which I am glad to have been a part of!

And now let’s hear Marie Binkert’s (WEMAC Schaffhausen, Swiss Naginata Federation) experience:

From the perspective of a newbie, the Inazuma was a great first tournament.

During the seminar on the first day, technical exercises were instructed, involving lots of random mixing within the beginners’ group so everybody got the chance to warm up with the new practice partners. Additionally, the seminar covered the formalities and rules of Shiai and Engi. For setting up the Shiai-jo, the experienced and unexperienced participants formed pairs, giving the beginners the chance to give a helping hand and get insight into the setup process.

On the second day was the tournament, starting with the weapon check, where additionally the aspects of the check were explained. The Engi and Shiai went smoothly, here a special thanks to the helpers and thorough tourney preparation. The Inazuma had a friendly and open atmosphere, generating the right environment to dare the first fights with strangers. The tournament concluded with the award ceremony and feedback from the Shinpan.