As a person from neither Korea or Japan, I think the judging was fair. Although the Korean team had some unclear points [such as the jiho's men], and the Japanese team had some points discounted too [eg. Uchimura's kote and Takanabe's men and kote, Shodai's hikimen]. I think the judges are trying their best to be impartial - though they seem to disagree to the rules as to whether migi kote in jodan can be struck in that position? In the end, the behaviour of the Korean team is there for the world to see. In the eyes of this untrained person, it is the Korean team and especially the Korean fans who had acted badly.
I looked at all the videos. And doing judge by myself. I have been doing Kendo in Japan for 15 years, and currently have 4 dan. Below judge is just my personal opinion. Each shinpan have different way of judging but I think these three shinpans were fair. Senpo Japan MK-K Korea Jiho Japan K-M Korea Chuken Japan D-KK Korea Fukusho Japan -M Korea Taisho Japan M- Korea Total Japan 2(5)-2(5) Comments on controvercial parts↓ Jiho's first Korean Men didn't hit the opponent but Japanese Jiho completely stopped and only thing he can do was block. It makes it look like he hits the men so I give him ippon. Chuken's Kotes are probably the most controvercial. Shinpans seems to be following the rule of not allowing Kote with no Shinai on his hand. But in my standard, it should be protected at all time and his hits were effective. Fukusho's second Men was way too light to be ippon. Japanese Taisho's very first Men should be ippon.
I think you should study and practice kendo more. 1. Katsumi even didn't do zansim for the kote cut. He realised the flagged up while preparing for the second attack. 2. Takanabe 1st men cut was perfect and Lee men cut was perfect too. How come you missed this? Are you really 4th dan?
