Tameshigiri, wots zat all about ??
Jan 12, 2007 21:25:12 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2007 21:25:12 GMT
[red]
Tameshigiri: A Definition
Ta•me•shi•gi•ri (tä-ma-she' ge-re')
Tameshigiri is the action of using a sword to cut objects (tamesu in Japanese means "try out", while giri means "cut"). To test a sword's sharpness by cutting through especially prepared targets that provide a resistance equivalent to that of the human anatomy.
Japanese swords have long been noted for their sharpness (wazamono) and cutting ability. In olden times this was judged by testing the cutting ability of the sword on bodies of condemned criminals. The practice of test cutting is called tameshigiri. The bodies were mounted on a cutting stand and specific cuts were made. The sword was judged on how many bodies were severed with each type of cut.
Throughout history the sword has conquered many nations, and it's importance as a weapon and symbol of power still remains with us well into the 21st century.
When the first classic armour (yoroi) appeared in 1000 A.D., incorporating the Asiatic style of lamellar armour, the katana had finally found it's match.
Sword smiths had a hard time keeping a step ahead of amour smiths, and it was during the Kamakura Era (1192-1333) that sword smiths like Masamune, Muramasa and Sadamune became legends in their own right, creating blades of extreme sharpness, power and beauty.
Having a newly forged blade test cut (tameshigiri) could give the sword smith valuable information on how to improve the quality of his blades, as the test would reveal weaknesses in the blades shape, construction and forging techniques.
A successful test cut would not only increase the value of a blade, but would spread the maker's fame and prestige throughout the country, making him rich and influential in the process.
The best documented test cuts on helmets, sword guards, wrought iron, old iron and other hard materials like antlers, comes from the Edo Period (1603-1867) and shows us the methodical application used in tameshigiri.
A comprehensive sword breaking test was conducted in 1853 under ruler Sanada at Shinshu Matsushirohan in Nagano Prefecture. 12 blades were tested by seven sword masters on a variety of different materials. The seventh item was a helmet no blade could penetrate, and bending all of them, one blade by Yamaura Minamoto was declared the winner.
“Kabutowari” or 'helmet cutting' had become the ultimate sword testing procedure throughout the Nation and saw it's climax (decline?) in 1886. Here, during the Meiji Era, three sword masters, in the presence of Emperor Meiji, attempted cutting through a helmet. The first attempt by Yoshitada Ueda failed and having his sword rebound made him loose his balance. The second swordsman by the name of Sosuke Itsumi took a powerful swing only to have his sword rebound also, making him loose his balance and fall.
The third contestant by the name of Kenkichi Sakakibara was the shogun's personal body guard. With a mighty blow he opened the helmet wide, leaving a (3sun 5bu) 10.6 cm gash.
In 1815 an article in the Kaiho Kenjaku, ranked the cutting ability of approximately 200 swords by various Koto and Shinto smiths. The swords were ranked as:
Saijo O-wazamono - (best cutting swords)
O-wazamono - (excellent cutting swords)
Ryo-wazamono - (very good cutting swords)
Wazamono - (good cutting swords)
Among the blades ranked saijo o-wazamono were swords by:
Kanemoto I, Kanemoto II, Osafune Motoshige, Nagasone Kotetsu, Mutsu Tadayoshi, Sukehiro, Kunikane and Okimasa.
Among the blades ranked o-wazamono were swords by:
Yasumitsu, Mino Kanesada, Osafune Sukesada, Higo Kuniyasu, Nobuyoshi, Kanewaka I, Omi Daijo Tadahiro and Kaga Kanemori.
Among the blades ranked ryo-wazamono were swords by:
Norimitsu, Kanesada III, Kanabo Masazane, Tsunahiro, Tadamitsu, Katsumitsu, Masatoshi, Ujifusa, Tanba Yoshimichi, Sukenao, Yasutsugu, Korekazu, Yoshihiro, Hisamichi, Kunimune and Naomichi.
Among blades ranked wazamono were swords by: Kiyomitsu, Sukehiro, Tadakuni, Sadahiro, Masatsugu, Kuniyoshi, Kinmichi, Masahiro, Yoshimasa, Kunikiyo, Morikuni, Aizu Kunisada and Tadayoshi.
None of the great Koto masters were tested. Among blades not tested were swords by Soshu Masamune, Soshu Sadamune, Bizen Nagamitsu and Ise Muramasa.
Their swords were considered too valuable as historic art objects to risk damage by testing. Their swords have traditionally been considered among the finest blades ever made.
The Yamada family were also sword testers (executioners). They made a living cutting people with swords and kept detailed records of their performance. As a result of these extensive tests there were 8 shinto smiths whose blades consistently performed and which were designated Saijo Owazamono.
They are Kotetsu, Nagasone Okimasa,Tatara Nagayuki, Shodai Tadayoshi, Mutsu no Kami Tadayoshi, Shodai Sukehiro, Shodai Kunikane, Mutsu Daijo Nagamichi.
Occassionally a sword will be found with a cutting attestation carved in the nakago (tang).
It may state how many bodies were cut with what strokes. These are most commonly found on late Shinto and Shinshinto era blades.
Sometimes you can find on the tang (nagako) of old Japanese swords an inscription listing what kind of cuts were performed with this blade during “tameshigiri.” This test-cutting with a new blade was done to test the blade. In order not to ruin the blade by ignorance a person able to wield a sword efficiently would perform the cuts. However, it was the blade that was tested, not the swordsman.
Many are later "additions" to the blade and should be viewed with some scepticism.
[navy]
[/navy]
TEST CUTTING SHOULD NOT BE PERFORMED BY ANYONE THAT HAS NOT BEEN SPECIFICALLY TRAINED AND SUPERVISED BY A QUALIFIED INSTRUCTOR. USING LIVE BLADES CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS TO THE USER AS WELL AS ANYONE WHO HAPPENS TO BE IN THE NEAR VICINITY. IT IS CRITICAL THAT THE STUDENT OF TEST CUTTING BE ABLE TO PROPERLY JUDGE NOT ONLY THEIR OWN ABILITY AND TECHNIQUE, BUT ALSO THE INTEGRITY OF THE WEAPONS BEING USED AND MATERIALS BEING CUT.
The purpose of tameshigiri is to (1) test the cutting ability of a sword, (2) gain experience in striking solid targets which replicate human anatomical resistance, and (3) improve timing, distance, angle, and grip.
The targets used in tameshigiri consist of makiwara (dampened straw mats tightly rolled), bamboo, and bamboo covered with makiwara.
Before the 1970s, makiwara targets were sheaves of rice straw bundled into varying thicknesses. Today, the top covering of tatami straw mats (called tatami-omote and resemble a beach mat) is used because of it offers uniform weight and thickness.
Potatoes, pumpkins, and other salad ingredients should never be used as targets unless you wish to be derided as a "Gensu" chef, the natural acids can have a devastating effect on the polish and steel of your blade!
Likewise, rolls of newspaper, cardboard, and plastic bottles filled with water are not conducive for the stated learning objectives, or aid in keeping your blade in pristine condition
Remember, do not attempt to use an antique sword for cutting practice. Poor technique will result in bending the sword blade or worse.
[navy]
Pay particular attention to the mekugi (pins that retain the blade in place, and to the tsuka)
After cutting, not only make the above checks, but remember to check for moisture on blade (NEVER ever, put a blade that still has moisture on it into it's saya).
Also check for moisture ingress under the habaki, particularly if the blade has Hi.
As to the edge, the best advise is to perhaps occasionally use a ceramic hone to gently "touch up" the edge after a lot of cutting (ceramic is the least abrasive of the sharpeners). But a good polish should last a number of years depending on the amount of cutting you do, so basically it is something to be left to the professionals.
This is because it is much easier to damage the edge then fix it.
[navy]
***********************************************************[/navy]
TAMESHIGIRI (JUDGING SHARPNESS)
[/red]Tameshigiri: A Definition
Ta•me•shi•gi•ri (tä-ma-she' ge-re')
Tameshigiri is the action of using a sword to cut objects (tamesu in Japanese means "try out", while giri means "cut"). To test a sword's sharpness by cutting through especially prepared targets that provide a resistance equivalent to that of the human anatomy.
Japanese swords have long been noted for their sharpness (wazamono) and cutting ability. In olden times this was judged by testing the cutting ability of the sword on bodies of condemned criminals. The practice of test cutting is called tameshigiri. The bodies were mounted on a cutting stand and specific cuts were made. The sword was judged on how many bodies were severed with each type of cut.
Throughout history the sword has conquered many nations, and it's importance as a weapon and symbol of power still remains with us well into the 21st century.
When the first classic armour (yoroi) appeared in 1000 A.D., incorporating the Asiatic style of lamellar armour, the katana had finally found it's match.
Sword smiths had a hard time keeping a step ahead of amour smiths, and it was during the Kamakura Era (1192-1333) that sword smiths like Masamune, Muramasa and Sadamune became legends in their own right, creating blades of extreme sharpness, power and beauty.
Having a newly forged blade test cut (tameshigiri) could give the sword smith valuable information on how to improve the quality of his blades, as the test would reveal weaknesses in the blades shape, construction and forging techniques.
A successful test cut would not only increase the value of a blade, but would spread the maker's fame and prestige throughout the country, making him rich and influential in the process.
The best documented test cuts on helmets, sword guards, wrought iron, old iron and other hard materials like antlers, comes from the Edo Period (1603-1867) and shows us the methodical application used in tameshigiri.
A comprehensive sword breaking test was conducted in 1853 under ruler Sanada at Shinshu Matsushirohan in Nagano Prefecture. 12 blades were tested by seven sword masters on a variety of different materials. The seventh item was a helmet no blade could penetrate, and bending all of them, one blade by Yamaura Minamoto was declared the winner.
“Kabutowari” or 'helmet cutting' had become the ultimate sword testing procedure throughout the Nation and saw it's climax (decline?) in 1886. Here, during the Meiji Era, three sword masters, in the presence of Emperor Meiji, attempted cutting through a helmet. The first attempt by Yoshitada Ueda failed and having his sword rebound made him loose his balance. The second swordsman by the name of Sosuke Itsumi took a powerful swing only to have his sword rebound also, making him loose his balance and fall.
The third contestant by the name of Kenkichi Sakakibara was the shogun's personal body guard. With a mighty blow he opened the helmet wide, leaving a (3sun 5bu) 10.6 cm gash.
In 1815 an article in the Kaiho Kenjaku, ranked the cutting ability of approximately 200 swords by various Koto and Shinto smiths. The swords were ranked as:
Saijo O-wazamono - (best cutting swords)
O-wazamono - (excellent cutting swords)
Ryo-wazamono - (very good cutting swords)
Wazamono - (good cutting swords)
Among the blades ranked saijo o-wazamono were swords by:
Kanemoto I, Kanemoto II, Osafune Motoshige, Nagasone Kotetsu, Mutsu Tadayoshi, Sukehiro, Kunikane and Okimasa.
Among the blades ranked o-wazamono were swords by:
Yasumitsu, Mino Kanesada, Osafune Sukesada, Higo Kuniyasu, Nobuyoshi, Kanewaka I, Omi Daijo Tadahiro and Kaga Kanemori.
Among the blades ranked ryo-wazamono were swords by:
Norimitsu, Kanesada III, Kanabo Masazane, Tsunahiro, Tadamitsu, Katsumitsu, Masatoshi, Ujifusa, Tanba Yoshimichi, Sukenao, Yasutsugu, Korekazu, Yoshihiro, Hisamichi, Kunimune and Naomichi.
Among blades ranked wazamono were swords by: Kiyomitsu, Sukehiro, Tadakuni, Sadahiro, Masatsugu, Kuniyoshi, Kinmichi, Masahiro, Yoshimasa, Kunikiyo, Morikuni, Aizu Kunisada and Tadayoshi.
None of the great Koto masters were tested. Among blades not tested were swords by Soshu Masamune, Soshu Sadamune, Bizen Nagamitsu and Ise Muramasa.
Their swords were considered too valuable as historic art objects to risk damage by testing. Their swords have traditionally been considered among the finest blades ever made.
The Yamada family were also sword testers (executioners). They made a living cutting people with swords and kept detailed records of their performance. As a result of these extensive tests there were 8 shinto smiths whose blades consistently performed and which were designated Saijo Owazamono.
They are Kotetsu, Nagasone Okimasa,Tatara Nagayuki, Shodai Tadayoshi, Mutsu no Kami Tadayoshi, Shodai Sukehiro, Shodai Kunikane, Mutsu Daijo Nagamichi.
Occassionally a sword will be found with a cutting attestation carved in the nakago (tang).
It may state how many bodies were cut with what strokes. These are most commonly found on late Shinto and Shinshinto era blades.
Sometimes you can find on the tang (nagako) of old Japanese swords an inscription listing what kind of cuts were performed with this blade during “tameshigiri.” This test-cutting with a new blade was done to test the blade. In order not to ruin the blade by ignorance a person able to wield a sword efficiently would perform the cuts. However, it was the blade that was tested, not the swordsman.
Many are later "additions" to the blade and should be viewed with some scepticism.
[navy]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[/navy]
TEST CUTTING SHOULD NOT BE PERFORMED BY ANYONE THAT HAS NOT BEEN SPECIFICALLY TRAINED AND SUPERVISED BY A QUALIFIED INSTRUCTOR. USING LIVE BLADES CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS TO THE USER AS WELL AS ANYONE WHO HAPPENS TO BE IN THE NEAR VICINITY. IT IS CRITICAL THAT THE STUDENT OF TEST CUTTING BE ABLE TO PROPERLY JUDGE NOT ONLY THEIR OWN ABILITY AND TECHNIQUE, BUT ALSO THE INTEGRITY OF THE WEAPONS BEING USED AND MATERIALS BEING CUT.
Modern Tameshigiri
The purpose of tameshigiri is to (1) test the cutting ability of a sword, (2) gain experience in striking solid targets which replicate human anatomical resistance, and (3) improve timing, distance, angle, and grip.
The targets used in tameshigiri consist of makiwara (dampened straw mats tightly rolled), bamboo, and bamboo covered with makiwara.
Before the 1970s, makiwara targets were sheaves of rice straw bundled into varying thicknesses. Today, the top covering of tatami straw mats (called tatami-omote and resemble a beach mat) is used because of it offers uniform weight and thickness.
Potatoes, pumpkins, and other salad ingredients should never be used as targets unless you wish to be derided as a "Gensu" chef, the natural acids can have a devastating effect on the polish and steel of your blade!
Likewise, rolls of newspaper, cardboard, and plastic bottles filled with water are not conducive for the stated learning objectives, or aid in keeping your blade in pristine condition
Remember, do not attempt to use an antique sword for cutting practice. Poor technique will result in bending the sword blade or worse.
[navy]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[/navy] Care After Cutting
Obviously before, and after cutting, thoroughly inspect your blade, fittings, and ito (handle wrap) to make sure all are tight and 'safe'.Pay particular attention to the mekugi (pins that retain the blade in place, and to the tsuka)
After cutting, not only make the above checks, but remember to check for moisture on blade (NEVER ever, put a blade that still has moisture on it into it's saya).
Also check for moisture ingress under the habaki, particularly if the blade has Hi.
As to the edge, the best advise is to perhaps occasionally use a ceramic hone to gently "touch up" the edge after a lot of cutting (ceramic is the least abrasive of the sharpeners). But a good polish should last a number of years depending on the amount of cutting you do, so basically it is something to be left to the professionals.
This is because it is much easier to damage the edge then fix it.
[navy]
***********************************************************