Tatami mat arraignment

[Knightsteel]

Do you experience multiple single mats in a row as easier or more difficult than the same number of mats in a single roll?

Daniel

[Gene Williams]

Why would any DA want to prosecute tatami mats?

[renfield_kuroda]

Multiple mats rolled up as one are generally harder to cut that several individually-rolled mats.
When you cut several rolls, the sword goes through individually-rolled mats one at a time, and the biggest issue is keeping the sword moving properly through all the rolls, but you're still basically cutting single targets in rapid succession.
When you cut a single, multi-mat target, you're basically cutting several mats 'at once': the layers of the roll tend to bunch up against each other (especially on horizontal cuts) requiring significantly more speed, power, and accuracy at the beginning of the cut.

Regards,

r e n

[Knightsteel]

Originally posted by Gene Williams
Why would any DA want to prosecute tatami mats?

For contempt... and blindly trusting in spell check.

[Knightsteel]

Originally posted by renfield_kuroda
Multiple mats rolled up as one are generally harder to cut that several individually-rolled mats.
When you cut several rolls, the sword goes through individually-rolled mats one at a time, and the biggest issue is keeping the sword moving properly through all the rolls, but you're still basically cutting single targets in rapid succession.
When you cut a single, multi-mat target, you're basically cutting several mats 'at once': the layers of the roll tend to bunch up against each other (especially on horizontal cuts) requiring significantly more speed, power, and accuracy at the beginning of the cut.

Regards,

r e n

Thank you for that explanation. I wonder why I have had greater difficulty with several mats in a row, over the same number of mats in a roll. It is just a matter of how the energy is focused? Shorter, more explosive energy versus longer, extended energy? From an engineering standpoint, both cuts would seem to take the same amount of energy. Could it be that I am a little better at exploding than at maintaining? :rolleyes:

Daniel

[chrismoses]

My experience has been that multiple targets can be more difficult if you don't maintain hasuji throughout your cut or if at some point in your cut, the right hand 'takes over' from the left hand in providing power. The latter isn't necessarily wrong, but it is hard to continue cutting when this happens. My own personal observation has been that people who tend to really power through their targets have a hard time maintaining hasuji through multiple targets. (Note: I'm not saying it's easy or that I'm an expert at this, I find both practices rather difficult)

[Brian Owens]

Originally posted by Knightsteel
...From an engineering standpoint, both cuts would seem to take the same amount of energy...
The target is only part of the equation. You also have to take into account kinesiology -- the way the human body's musculoskeletal system works.

Stringing out the targets means your cutting action takes a longer period of time, and covers a longer arc. As mentioned, hasuji becomes a critcal factor. Depending on technique, one person might find a single thick target harder while another would find multiple smaller targets harder.

[Mekugi]

Originally posted by Gene Williams
Why would any DA want to prosecute tatami mats?

That is exactly what I was thinking. What did they ever do to anyone, other than wear out and poke you?

[rache]

They are simply there and make tempting targets. Though if we had volunteers then they could be used instead.

[Knightsteel]

Twelve of them attacked me all at once this last Sunday. They all ganged up on me as one big roll.

Seriously... I made a twelve tatami (Bugei wara) cut this last Sunday. Having cut 12 mats rolled separatedly, and 12 as a single roll, I really find little real difference.

Daniel