Shamenso (斜面走) was a First stage obstacle in KUNOICHI 2003 to KUNOICHI 2007. The objective was simple, competitors had to run across one or two long slanted walls to reach the other side. This obstacle and Nejireta Kabe would later see a resemblance in SASUKE's Half-Pipe Attack. Further on, the obstacle's base concept would be incorporated into Screwdriver.
First Version (KUNOICHI 2003 - KUNOICHI 2004)[]
The first version of Shamenso consisted of a four-meter-long wall, slanted at a 45-degree angle as the seventh obstacle, positioned after Hasso Tobi. In its inaugural tournament, it managed to take out four competitors, including Higashi Rena.
In this tournament, competitors had to wear knee guards, possibly for this obstacle only, as it appeared most competitors landed on their knees hard after completing the obstacle.
The obstacle returned in the next tournament, this time as the fifth obstacle, before Hasso Tobi as the Daikakkou took its place. The material of the obstacle had more traction thus making the obstacle easier, since no competitors were able to slip on it as they did in the previous tournament. The landing pad was changed to two little floating mats, possibly due to many hard landing of competitors in the last tournament. In addition, the supports (inner portion) of Shamenso had been covered up to make it look more aesthetically appealing.
Second Version (KUNOICHI 2006 New Year - KUNOICHI 2007)[]
After Miyake Ayako's kanzenseiha KUNOICHI 2004, the obstacle had been modified with another tilted wall was placed opposite to the first one, require competitors to make a transfer to reach the landing platform. Speaking of the landing platform, it was reverted to the original version in KUNOICHI 2003; however, there was now a metal box on the side to prevent competitors to directly jump towards the landing platform.
It was the fifth obstacle for KUNOICHI 2006 New Year, the sixth for KUNOICHI 2006 New Year and moved to the seventh obstacle for KUNOICHI 2007. The difference in those tournaments was the reduction of sideway metal box - it was reduced in half in KUNOICHI 2006 New Year and then finally gone in KUNOICHI 2007.
This new version did do some damage in its first two tournaments, took out strong competitors such as Inada Ayako and Nishimura Chie. No one failed it in KUNOICHI 2007 due to its placement after many deadly obstacles making only 4 competitors could get to here.
Despite its incredibly high success rate, it was removed in KUNOICHI 2009 due to the course re-design.
Competitors' Success Rate[]
- All results based on the TBS broadcast and external information found.
| KUNIOCHI | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 16 | 19 | 84.21% |
| 4 | 22 | 22 | 100% |
| 5 | 10 | 13 | 76.92% |
| 6 | 13 | 16 | 81.25% |
| 7 | 4 | 4 | 100% |
| Total | 65 | 74 | 87.84% |