Tameshigiri

Nowadays, it is not possible to test the swords' quality on the battlefields, so some other ways of doing this had to be found. It is also neccesary to learn how to cut properly. Tameshigiri serves both these purposes.
In the past, an expert would perform the cutting and then issue a certificate which contained the information on who the tester was, what he had cut, and the results of the test. Various things were used for the cutting test, from convicts, dead peoples' bodies and animals in older times, kabuto or copper plates (more recent times) to straw rolls and green bamboo nowadays.
We ourselves use soaked rolled rice mats.
A robust sword without grooves that would weaken it is suitable for tameshigiri, especially if the technique of cutting is less than perfect.

How to make makiwara
Fotogallery tameshigiri

Video download:
- paper tubes
tam01.avi (436kB) tam02.avi (384kB) tam03.avi (186kB) tam04.avi (340kB) tam05.avi (380kB)
- soaked mats
tam06.avi (828kB) tam07.avi (866kB) tam08.avi (676kB) tam09.avi (284kB) tam10.avi (386kB) tam11.avi (282kB) tam12.avi (268kB) tam13.avi (234kB) tam14.avi (206kB) tam15.avi (164kB)
- Budoshow Svitavy
budosvitavy1.avi (552kB) budosvitavy2.avi (958kB)