The Southern California Naginata Federation is hosting the 2025 U.S. NAGINATA CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT and ANNUAL SEMINAR with special guest instructors:
• Helen Nakano Sensei (Kyoshi)
• Kurt Schmucker Sensei (Renshi)
• Kei Tsukamaki Sensei (Renshi)
• Katie Roche Sensei (Renshi)
+ Invited USNF 5th-Dan
SEMINAR SCHEDULE:
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General Seminar: open to all
Shinpan Seminar: open to individuals 3-dan and higher
General Seminar:
To provide training in basics and foundational skills in Naginata. The General Seminar will include practice in: happoburi, datotsu, shikake-oji, Zen Nihon no Kata (if applicable), basic techniques in bogu, kakarigeiko, and jigeiko.Shinpan Seminar:
To provide skills in performing and evaluating correct Naginata technique. The Shinpan Seminar will provide training in refereeing requirements for shiai and engi matches. -
ENGI AND TEAM USA TRYOUTS
MORNING:
– Engi and Kata:
– Dangai ShiaiAFTERNOON:
– Individual Shiai
– Open Team Shiai1) Engi: Shikake-Oji
(a) Yudansha division techniques: No. 1, 4, 7
(b) Dangai division techniques: No. 2, 4, 5
(c) Each federation may field up to two teams per division. Interregional pairs are allowed and must be submitted on one federation’s application.
(d) The method of match shall be tournament style or round robin(2) Zen Nihon no Kata
(a) Techniques: No. 1, 3, 6
(b) Participation is limited to individuals 3-dan to 5-dan, and 2-dan individuals testing for 3-dan at the event
(c) Each federation may field up to two teams. Interregional pairs are allowed and must be submitted on one federation’s application.
(d) The method of match shall be tournament style or round robin(3) Shiai: Individual Matches
(a) Dangai Divisions: Dangai Women’s, Dangai Men’s (i) For Dangai Shiai, each federation may field up to three individuals 1-kyu and below for each division.
(b) Yudansha Divisions: Individual Women’s, Individual Men’s (i) For Yudansha Shiai, each federation may field up to three individuals 1-dan to 5-dan for each division.
(c) The method of match shall be tournament style or round robin.
(d) For the Dangai division, matches will be conducted as sanbon shobu with a match time of 3 minutes, no encho (except for the final match with one 2-minute encho), followed by hantei. (e) For the Yudansha division, matches will be conducted as sanbon shobu with a match time of 3 minutes with one 2-minute encho, followed by hantei. 5(4) Shiai: Team Matches
(a) Division: Open Teams
(b) Each federation may field two 3-person teams.
(c) The Open Team event is open to people of any rank.
(d) The method of match shall be round robin or tournament style. (e) The matches will be conducted as sanbon shobu with a match time of 3 minutes and no encho.
(f) In the event of a tie, the final winner will be determined by daihyousen match.3. Match Rules:
4. Prize Giving:
5. Participation:
6. Entry Fees: Regulation of the matches will be according to the Naginata Tournament and Refereeing Regulations of the All Japan Naginata Federation as modified by the USNF. Prizes and certificates will be awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places. All players must be USNF members in good standing and must be age 18 by July 24th, 2026. For participation in Dangai events, the member must hold the rank of mukyu (unranked) through 1-kyu at the time of the application deadline. For participation in Zen Nihon no Kata, the member must hold the rank of 3-dan through 5-dan at the time of the application deadline, or be testing for 3-dan on July 26th, 2026.
Engi (per pair) $50
Kata (per pair) $50
Individual Shiai (per individual) $45
Open Teams (per team) $100 -
TEAM SHIAI AND SEMINAR
(5) Engi Tryouts (Shikake-Oji)
(a) Shikake-oji techniques: No. 1, 4, 7
(b) Participation is open to all competitors
(c) Each federation may field up to four individuals
(d) The method of match shall be tournament style or round robin(6) Zen Nihon no Kata Tryouts
(a) Techniques: No. 1, 3, 6
(b) Participation is limited to individuals 3-dan to 5-dan and 2-dan individuals who will be 3-dan by the time applications are due for the WNC in 2027.
(c) Each federation may field up to four individuals
(d) The method of match shall be tournament style or round robin(7) Shiai Tryouts
(a) Tryouts Divisions: Individual Women’s, Individual Men’s (i) Each federation may field up to five individuals of any rank for each division.
(b) The method of match shall be round robin.
(c) Matches will be conducted as sanbon shobu with a match time of 3 minutes with one 1-minute encho into hikiwake. There will initially be round robin pools, and the top 8 competitors will move on to a final round robin pool.MATCH RULES:
Regulation of the matches will be according to the Naginata Tournament and Refereeing Regulations of the All Japan Naginata Federation as modified by the USNF.PRIZE GIVING:
Prizes and certificates will be awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places. 7 5.Participation:
All players must be USNF members in good standing and must be age 18 by the WNC event in July 2027. Shiai players that will be 17 at the time of tryouts must sign a liability waiver.For participation in Zen Nihon no Kata, the member must hold the rank of 3-dan through 5-dan at the time of the application deadline, or be eligible to be 3-dan by the time applications are due for the WNC in 2027.
6. Entry Fees:
Engi (per individual) $25
Kata (per individual) $25
Individual Shiai (per individual) $45 -
SEMINAR AND SHINSA
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6:30-9:00 pm
Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que 21540 Hawthorne Blvd, Suite 401B Torrance, CA 90503 (in Del Amo Mall)
Lucille’s is a 10-minute drive from El Camino College with ample parking. It is accessible by public transportation, but Uber or Lyft would be faster.Adult $40
Under Age 12 $20Payment must be submitted by each federation on behalf of all of its participating members. Payment from individual participants will not be accepted. Payment Deadline: 11:59 pm PDT, Sunday, May 31, 2026
RSVP Individuals will RSVP directly for the party by 11:59 pm PDT, Sunday, May 31, 2026. RSVP here: https://forms.gle/amh2z5muEax79BW19
SEMINAR LOCATION:
El Camino College,
North Gym
16007 Crenshaw Blvd
Torrance, CA 90506
EVENT FEE INFORMATION:
USNF Member Prices*:
$150 – SEMINAR FEE
$50 – USNF Minor
*Non-USNF members will be charged an additional $50
REGISTRATION:
The enclosed application form must be completed by each regional federation listing each individual who plans to attend, as well as those planning to compete in the Championship event. Applications from individual participants will not be accepted.
Application Deadline: 11:59 pm PDT, Sunday, May 31, 2026
🌸 🌸 🌸
Application Deadline: 11:59 pm PDT, Sunday, May 31, 2026 🌸 🌸 🌸
Submission format:
Email the completed application to USNF Executive Secretary Shannon Rabanal
at usnfes@gmail.com. Please include proof of payment.
Please email the group registration form to usnfes@gmail.com
PAYMENT:
Payment must be submitted by each federation on behalf of all of its participating members. Payment from individual participants will not be accepted. Submission of all seminar, taikai, and shinsa fees by the deadline below is required in order for federation participants to be eligible to participate.
PAYMENT DEADLINE: 11:59 pm PDT, Sunday, May 31, 2026
🌸 🌸 🌸
PAYMENT DEADLINE: 11:59 pm PDT, Sunday, May 31, 2026 🌸 🌸 🌸
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Payments may be submitted electronically via Zelle (preferred) or PayPal. Electronic payments must be accompanied by an email sent to the USNF Treasurer at treasurer.usnf@gmail.com with a copy of the completed application. The total payment submitted must match to the total due on the application.
Zelle Payments: Zelle payments may be submitted to treasurer.usnf@gmail.com
PayPal Payments: PayPal payments may be submitted to treasurer.usnf@gmail.com
and must include additional payment to cover the PayPal transaction fee (3.49%+$0.49).PAYPAL Please reach out to treasurer.usnf@gmail.combefore submitting payment in order to coordinate the calculation of PayPal fees.
ZELLE treasurer.usnf@gmail.com
NO REFUNDS will be issued except in extenuating, unforeseen circumstances.
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Payments may be submitted by check written out to USNF and sent to:
USNF Treasurer
c/o Timothy Su
12595 Durbin Dr.
Town and Country, MO 63141Check payments must be postmarked by the deadline.
NO REFUNDS will be issued except in extenuating, unforeseen circumstances.
TESTING:
Kyu and Dan testing up to 3-dan will be held in the afternoon on Sunday, July 26th. The dan written examination will be held immediately after the practical exam. Please refer to the schedule for exact times. Seminar attendance is required for eligibility to test at this event.
In addition to filling out the seminar registration form, you must fill out a Kyu & Dan Application Form and send to usnfes@gmail.com
If you are a member of GNYNF, please send your shinsa form to your local dojo representative.
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$20 – for testing up to Shodan
$30 – for Nidan
$40 – for Sandan
Due during registration. Please send the receipt payment in the same email as your application. -
$20 – for all KYU ranks
$30 – for SHODAN
$50 – for NIDAN
$100 – for SANDAN*The menjo fees are paid after the exam.
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$50 – Engi (per pair)
$50 – Kata (per pair)
$45 – Individual Matches (per individual)
$100 – Team Matches (per team)
EVENTS AND METHOD:
We encourage participation of everyone in as many events as qualied for. If you would like to participate in any of the engi-kyogi or team shiai events but do not have a partner, we can select one for you!
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(a) Yudansha techniques: No. 3, 6, 8
(b) Dangai techniques: No. 1, 3, 4
(c) Each federation may field up to two pairs for each event
(d) The method of match shall be tournament style or round robin
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(a) Techniques: No. 2, 3, 5
(b) Participation is limited to individuals 3-dan to 5-dan
(c) Each federation may field up to two pairs
(d) The method of match shall be tournament style or round robin
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(a) Divisions: Dangai Men’s, Dangai Women’s, Yudansha Men’s, Yudansha Women’s
(b) Each federation may field up to three individuals per division.
(c) The method of match shall be tournament style or round robin.
(d) The matches will be conducted as sanbon shobu with a match time of 3 minutes and one 2-minute encho, followed by hantei.
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(a) Divisions: Open Teams
(b) Each federation may field two 3-person teams.
(c) The Open Team event is open to people of an rank.
(d) The method of match shall be round robin or tournament style.
(e) The matches will be conducted as sanbon shobu with a match time of 3 minutes and no encho.
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Regulation of the matches will be according to the Naginata Tournament and Refereeing Regulations of the All Japan Naginata Federation as modified by the USNF.
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All players must be USNF members in good standing, age 18 or older. For participation in Dangai events, the member must hold the rank of mukyu (unranked) through 1-kyu at the time of the application deadline. For participation in Yudansha events, the member must hold the rank of 1-dan through 5-dan at the time of the application deadline. For participation in Zen Nihon no Kata, the member must hold the rank of 3-dan through 5-dan at the time of the application deadline.
Please bring your own equipment to the event. If you would like to rent a naginata,
please email usnfes@gmail.com to arrange the rental.
Shiai-yo naginata rental costs – $XX PER DAY
There is no bogu or uniform rental for the event.Feel free to contact usnfes@gmail.com with any additional questions.
PRE-PAID LUNCHES (ORDER AHEAD)
Pre-purchased lunches are available from Panera for all four days of the event. Options include sandwiches or salads. An individual participant may purchase lunch for 1 – 4 days. Please indicate dietary restrictions on the order form below. Substitutions of meal items are not possible.
Payment Deadline: 11:59 pm PDT, Sunday, May 31, 2026
(づ•ᴗ•)づᯓ 🥤 🥗 🥪 🌯
Payment Deadline: 11:59 pm PDT, Sunday, May 31, 2026 (づ•ᴗ•)づᯓ 🥤 🥗 🥪 🌯
Payment must be submitted by each federation on behalf of all of its participating members. Payment from individual participants will not be accepted. Please see above for payment information and place your lunch orders by 11:59 pm PDT, Sunday, May 31, 2026.
USNF PARTY
Saturday, July 25, 2026 6:30 – 9:00 PM
Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que
21540 Hawthorne Blvd, Suite 401B
Torrance, CA 90503
Lucille’s is a 10-minute drive from El Camino College with ample parking. It is accessible by public transportation, but Uber or Lyft would be faster.
Payment Deadline: 11:59 pm PDT, Sunday, May 31, 2026 🍖♨️🔥🥩🥓🍳 Payment Deadline: 11:59 pm PDT, Sunday, May 31, 2026
🍖 ♨️ 🔥 🥩 🥓 🍳
Payment Deadline: 11:59 pm PDT, Sunday, May 31, 2026 🍖♨️🔥🥩🥓🍳 Payment Deadline: 11:59 pm PDT, Sunday, May 31, 2026 🍖 ♨️ 🔥 🥩 🥓 🍳
$40 –ADULTS (PER PERSON)
$20 – UNDER AGE 12 (PER PERSON)
Payment must be submitted by each federation on behalf of all of its participating members. Payment from individual participants will not be accepted. Individuals will RSVP directly for the party by 11:59 pm PDT, Sunday, May 31, 2026.