Tameshigiri

To have effective cutting, whether cutting downward, upward, horizontal, shallow or deep - it should be left hand cut, right hand control - my teacher's lesson. I imagined the cutting line parallel to sword angle (hasuji). Wrong angle and it will mess up the cutting line, worse will warp or break the blade. Follow through is also very important. Cut with the monouchi and it should go through neatly. Always project the energy through the target. But, how deep is your cut? Although it is impressive to see cutting through the target, some cutting are actually shallow. Japanese swords are precision weapon too. Cutting vital targets just some few inches deep, where major arteries are located. Openings or gaps of the armor are also targets, where one can direct the attack. In the dojo - we repeat the movements and cut a thousand times to get it right. Efficiency in the movement are important. Correctness in form and function are essential. It is not just a matter of cutting, but part of your sword technique and strategy. Over extending your cut will leave you out of position, off balance and open to your opponents. A bad position to recover, weak defense or difficult to follow up another attack. Avoid target fixation - while cutting, it is important not to be fixated by your target. Your awareness should be 360 degrees around you. In theory, kenjutsu after all was design to fight multiple opponents at all directions. Flexibility of footwork must be practice to engage targets from various directions and to be able to adjust to the characteristic of the ground or terrain.Therefore, to cut infront and being aware of the surrounding is what we try to do in every practice. It is totally pointless to fight frontal and getting killed by an opponent at your back due to lack of awareness. Maai, on the beginer level - approach the target inside the cutting distance. This makes cutting exercise easier. Once we become familiar with the important points of cutting, we should move to cutting with maai. This means to engaged the target in the most effective combative distance. Closing in to engage and cut the opponent or target. We are trying to achieve the point of no hesitation, there is no time to think. for the development of cutting skill. You will need a reliable shinken. A durable blade which can withstand warping or rolling when you make many mistakes during practice. Based on my personal experience in the study of both modern and classical Japanese swordsmanship, i highly recommend Geisha's blade geishasblade.com an online shop based in Madaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines.

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