"A sword which doesn't cut is only a symbol."
Tameshigiri is test cutting. We can test Japanese swordsmanship skills. This is shizan.When you test a new sword and it's properties it is called shito.Tameshigiri practiced in the Samurai School is done to develop real swordsmanship skills through progress of technique, strength, speed, concentration and will.
Our teacher, sensei Tomasz Piotrkowicz with his sons in action (wmv format of film). Click on picture below.
We are the first and the only club in Poland with regular tameshigiri trainings - sharp sword cuts.
Tameshigiri is test cutting of solid objects such as tightly rolled straw mats or bamboo. This is a real test of skill for a sword student. It is easy to practice only formal exercises(epecially with iaito - blunt adge, lightweight training sword made of alloys) but only real cuts with sharp swords give the feeling of strength and self-confidence. The Japanese sword was used to fight against enemy, to protect one's family, clan, homeland. In battodo training we cut tightly rolled tatami mats soaked in water, as a substitute of enemy's body. We practice the Art of the Sword as in the ancient times, aiming for perfection and developing body and spirit. Of course, not in the cruel way - we test our cutting abilities on solid targets. Sensei Tomasz Piotrkowicz is a European tameshigiri expert. He has learned from the best Japanese masters and he now teaches our students according to martial art tradition.
Sensei Michal Piotrkowicz cut five mats with dotan-giri during Summer Gasshuku 2005'
After tameshigiri training during Summer Ken-jutsu Kobudo Gassshuku 2005.
Kiri-age (reverse diagonal cut) performed by shihan Piotrkowicz during the tameshigiri seminar with master Hataya - Tai Kai 2003 Florida, USA.
|
