training for Tameshigiri

[loki88]

Hi i have a question about Tameshigiri, is practicing with an iaito without the actual cutting good practise for cutting? My iaito has a Bohi it makes that wooshing sound when u swing right. Is this sound a good indication that i don't tilt the sword during flight? Is this benificial should i try to do Tameshigiri later? If i learn to swing the sword so it always makes the sound does this means that i'm doing it right?

Please don't reply with "ask your Sensei", I KNOW, but whats the point of a discussionforum if every reply starts with "oh just ask your Sensei" If i had a Sensei with me now i would ask the question on the forum right?

;)

[A. Bakken]

I can only speak for myself. I have trained iaido formally for two years. Occasionally, I have done some cutting on my spare time (tameshigiri not being an organized part of my dojo's curriculum). I have found that my cutting technique tends to get better, and I can only ascribe that to improvement in my "iai technique". This doesn't mean, of course, that you can become an accomplished cutter merely by swinging an iaito around and listen for the famous swoosh. I like to think that it has something to do with the quality of the instruction I have received from my sensei, and the hours of practice I have put in. The benefit of tameshigiri, then (apart from being fun), is that it can provide some good feedback on your form. But if you have to rely solely on the roll of tatami omote for evaluation of your skills, then I'm afraid a lot of the marvels of swordsmanship will elude you. Just ask your sensei. ;)

[Ralutin]

Originally posted by loki88
Hi i have a question about Tameshigiri, is practicing with an iaito without the actual cutting good practise for cutting? My iaito has a Bohi it makes that wooshing sound when u swing right. Is this sound a good indication that i don't tilt the sword during flight? Is this benificial should i try to do Tameshigiri later? If i learn to swing the sword so it always makes the sound does this means that i'm doing it right?

Please don't reply with "ask your Sensei", I KNOW, but whats the point of a discussionforum if every reply starts with "oh just ask your Sensei" If i had a Sensei with me now i would ask the question on the forum right?

;)

Hi Tom,

Your sensei should be the last word in any advice on your kendo and/or iaido training. For those of us who are not sensei, we are merely messengers of their teaching. Moreover, each sensei teaches differently, so my sensei's advice might not agree with what your sensei has taught or told you. That's why we tell you to ask your sensei first.

My personal opinion on tameshigiri is that all kendoka and especially iaidoka should perform tameshigiri when they are advanced enough in their training with the advice and supervision of their sensei. Swinging your sword and cutting air or an invisible opponent can be great at working your mind and arms, but you're not gonna get any concrete feedback on how well your blade is cutting no matter how loud your bo-hi screams. Only a sliced up wara can tell you if your blade angle is correct and your cutting technique is sound.

Again, ask your sensei. He may have a different opinion. :D

[chrismoses]

My school generally only performs tameshigiri outside so we tend to think of summer as "tameshigiri" season. What amazes me is that after months and months of not cutting targets, I always feel that I have progressed in my tameshigiri when we start cutting again. If you know how to listen to your cuts and develop good patterns of movement, they will translate into target cutting very well. Tameshigiri will still tell you things about your movements that are hard to know simply from kata, but good kata practice should help your tameshigiri as well. They work together.

[hyaku]

I should not "woosh". More like a "swip". You need to work on your cuts. Short "Swip's" cut makiwara, not wooshe's.

I can get swips without a bohi sometimes.