Ippon

{{Short description|Best score in Japanese martial arts}} {{About|a scoring method|a throw with a similar name|Ippon seoi nage|the Japanese comedy program and competition|Ippon Grand Prix}}

{{Nihongo||一本|'''Ippon'''|lit. "one full point"}} is the highest score a fighter can achieve in a Japanese martial arts ''ippon-wazari'' contest, usually kendo, judo, karate or jujitsu.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XCl1c2yy5ooC&dq=Ippon&pg=PA16|title=Sports and Games of the 18th and 19th Centuries|first=Robert|last=Crego|date=7 August 2017|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=9780313316104|access-date=7 August 2017|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jG1jV7eTP8EC&dq=Ippon&pg=PA59|title=Freestyle Sparring|first1=Woo Jin|last1=Jung|first2=Jennifer|last2=Lawler|date=7 August 2017|publisher=Human Kinetics|isbn=9780736001298|access-date=7 August 2017|via=Google Books}}</ref>

==In judo== In judo, an ''ippon'' may be scored for a throw, a pin, a choke or a jointlock. For throws, the four granting criteria are speed, force, landing on the back and skilful control until the end of the landing. For pinning techniques, the pin must be held continuously for 20 seconds. For chokes and locks, it is scored when the opponent gives up or is incapacitated.

Two consecutive waza-ari by the same athlete also add up to an ''ippon'' (''waza-ari awasete ippon'').

An ''ippon'' in judo is often compared to a knockout punch in boxing.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kKJZWpwP3w4C&dq=Ippon&pg=PA23|title=The Judo Handbook|first=Roy|last=Inman|date=7 August 2017|publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group|isbn=9781404213937|access-date=7 August 2017|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AWflu-BBjxcC&dq=Ippon&pg=PA153|title=Black Belt Judo|first=Neil|last=Ohlenkamp|date=7 August 2017|publisher=New Holland Publishers|isbn=9781845371098|access-date=7 August 2017|via=Google Books}}{{Dead link|date=September 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cpntCgAAQBAJ&dq=shobu+ippon+kumite&pg=PT399|title=The Way to Black Belt: A Comprehensive Guide to Rapid, Rock-Solid Results|first=Lawrence A.|last=Kane|date=1 November 2015|publisher=YMAA Publication Center, Inc.|isbn=9781594391491|access-date=7 August 2017|via=Google Books}}</ref>

==In karate== In ''shobu ippon kumite'', a method of karate competition, an ''ippon'' is awarded for a technique judged as decisive. This is usually a move that connects cleanly, with good form and with little opportunity for the opponent to defend against it.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RVT2OhFfOxkC&dq=shobu+ippon+kumite&pg=PA49|title=DŌDŌ KARATE DŌ: Karate Dō Life Training|first=Dorian|last=Fretwell|date=31 July 2012|publisher=AuthorHouse|isbn=9781477215067|access-date=7 August 2017|via=Google Books}}</ref> Kicks to the head of an opponent or judo throws followed up with a strike to the downed opponent are particularly likely to be considered a winning ''ippon'' technique.{{citation needed|date=December 2014}} A competitor is declared the winner upon achieving a judgment of ''ippon''.

Occasionally, ''shobu nihon kumite'' is used, in which two decisive strikes (or four less-decisive strikes, scored as waza-ari) are required for a win. In many tournaments, sanbon scoring is used. This promotes a flashier style of fighting more suited to a spectator sport. More traditional tournaments usually use ''ippon'' scoring.

==In kendo== In a kendo ''shiai'' (match), an ''ippon'' is awarded when a competitor who strikes their opponent achieves ''yuko-datotsu'' (a valid strike). The criteria for ''yuko-datotsu'' is defined as striking a valid part of the ''bogu'', with the striking part of the ''shinai'', in high spirits, with correct posture and demonstrating ''zanshin''. Alternatively, an ''ippon'' is also awarded if a competitor's opponent receives two ''hansoku'' (penalties). ''Hansoku'' are variously given for (among other things) stepping out of the court, touching the opponent's ''shinai'' or deliberately striking the opponent on an unprotected part of the body.<ref>{{Cite web |last=International Kendo Federation |date=26 July 2023 |title=Handbook for Kendo Shiai and Shinpan Management |url=https://www.kendo-fik.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/FIK-Handbook-for-Kendo-Shiai-and-Shinpan-Management-20230726.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250320014737/https://www.kendo-fik.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/FIK-Handbook-for-Kendo-Shiai-and-Shinpan-Management-20230726.pdf |archive-date=2025-03-20 |access-date=2025-06-17 |website=www.kendo-fik.org}}</ref>

Kendo ''shiai'' are variously run as ''ippon-shobu'' (one point match) or ''sanbon-shobu'' (three point match). In ''ippon-shobu'', the first person to score ''ippon'' will win the match. In ''sanbon-shobu'', the first person to score two ''ippon'', or is leading when the time limit is reached, will win the match.

==See also== * ''Waza-ari'' * ''Ippon seoi nage''

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Wiktionary}} * [https://archive.today/20141211225552/http://judopedia.com/index.php/Ippon ''Ippon'' on Judopedia] * [http://www.judo-ch.jp/english/dictionary/terms/ippongati/ ''Ippon gachi'' on Judo-Channel]

Category:Japanese martial arts terminology