17 - Tameshigiri




Tameshigiri is the art that studies the forms of cut with the sword, simulated in mats of bamboo, that itself resemble to the fabric of the human body.

Formerly in the Japan, if used bodies for the test of the sheets, belonging to criminal or the persons already passed away. From those studies is that the final form of the Kenjutsu was achieved.




In other words, is able to be said that Tameshigiri is to practical of cut with the Japanese sword.

Inside a classical perspective, the Tameshigiri is part of the curriculum of the Kenjutsu, and passes it to be studied like this that the practitioner shows notions of correct experience acquired with the sword of cut.

Inside the modern application, the first stuff utilized for this practical are the mat and the bamboo.

The duty practical application of the cut with the sword teaches the most correct way of the application of the real form of cut.

The practitioner learns how to have the notion of the pressure that should apply in the cut for different objects, multiple and quick cuts in the due angles of attack of the sheet and it control his addressing and the consequences of its impact.

The mental concentration should be extremely strong, therefore, with the time, the practitioner understands that the achievement of the perfect cut is initiated in the thought.




Tradition and respect are main factors for those that drive to practical of the Tameshigiri as classical ritual.

The rules are strictly observed in the Tameshigiri. Long hours of practice promote the harmony between the first basic cut and the cut in Gyaku Kesa Giri.

Many masters still conserve the thought of the practical one of the Japanese sword in the Tameshigiri, as the own battle in itself, encouraging to practical only in bamboo, by will find that this simulates of perfect form the human body.

The reality was sight as the main form in the practical one of the Tameshigiri.

The result of the real practices of cut frequently is found in the Nakago of the sword, that be quizzed. Being like this, for understand the "mei" some knowledge of the terminology used is done necessary.

Several forms of Tameshigiri exist used us several local, each which with its own terminology. One of the most known systems is him utilized by the family Yamada, traditional testators of swords during the period Tokugawa.