Shido Swordplay 'Autumn Five Bouts' Round 3: Tokei Faces Hokuto in Rematch on the 18th
The Tokei Sword Bearers' Association announced on the 16th that Round 3 of Shido Swordplay's 'Autumn Five Bouts' will be held on the 18th at the Himuro School's headquarters dojo in Hokuto — a rematch against the Hokuto Sword Bearers' Association (Himuro School), whom Tokei defeated 3–2 in the opening round on the 3rd. Tokei, unbeaten through two rounds, will look to Gen Minase, 22, who made his inter-city debut this season, for a third straight win.
As previously reported on the 3rd, the Tokei Sword Bearers' Association defeated the Hokuto Sword Bearers' Association (Himuro School) 3–2 in the opening round of "Autumn Five Bouts." On the 16th, Tokei announced that Round 3 will be held on the 18th at the Himuro School's headquarters dojo in Hokuto. The matchup previously described on the 11th as "under consideration" has turned out to be a straight rematch of the opening round.
Soichi Himuro, 58, head of Hokuto's Himuro School, commented, "We hadn't studied them enough going into the opener. As the side seeking redemption on home ground, we intend to give it everything." Chitose Kaname, 41, head of the Tokei association, said, "If the other side is using the word 'redemption,' that's no reason for us to relax. If anything, they're the opponent that makes me most nervous."
As previously reported on the 3rd and 10th, Gen Minase, 22, of the Minase School, who made his inter-city debut this season, has won two straight — a first-match victory in the opener and a decisive strike with his sword drawn in Round 2 on the 10th in Kyobashi. After practice on the 16th, Minase said, "Hokuto already lost to us once in the opener. I'm going in assuming they've studied us." The anchor match is expected to again feature Kaname, who, as previously reported, won Round 1 as a substitute without drawing her sword and did the same in Round 2. "I have no reason right now to change the policy of not drawing," she said.
As previously reported on the 7th, Iori Kiryu, the two-time defending champion, has entered November's Shinobi Trial "Night-Long Cup." The Patrol Guild announced on the 16th that it will close entries shortly. This season's full five rounds of Shido Swordplay are scheduled to wrap up by early November, and the Sword Bearers' Association said it plans to support attendance at the Night-Long Cup as well.
As previously reported on Sept. 28, the half-price student tickets introduced for the tournament will continue to apply through the remaining rounds. Organizers say student ticket use has exceeded expectations over the first two rounds, with students accounting for over 30% of the crowd at the home game in Kyobashi in particular. "A measure meant to widen the audience for Shido Swordplay has already come back as a number," an organizer said, adding that it will continue through the final round in November. The Himuro School's headquarters dojo in Hokuto seats fewer people than the Kyobashi venue, and the 18th's match, including student tickets, is expected to be close to a sellout.
