Likes Likes:  0
Results 1 to 4 of 4

Thread: Product Review -- Mugen Dachi Tatami Omote

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2000
    Location
    Moffett Field, CA
    Posts
    896
    Likes (received)
    3

    Default

    Here's an article I just sent to EJMAS.
    ============

    Mats for Cutting

    By Guy Power

    I used to get the tatami-omote I use for test-cutting through a friend in Japan. The tatami-omote were good and inexpensive (free); however, they were used and the tatamiya-san was happy for my friend to come around to collect his garbage! But they arrived dirty, and musty, smelly, moldy, and always took my breath away when I opened the package. Once I even found "dani" (mites) crawling around --- Eewwwwww!

    Then my friend went to England, leaving me madly looking for inexpensive material to cut. I ended up buying beach mats from wherever I could find them. Then I discovered Mugen Dachi, which sells brand new, unused, fresh, clean, green tatami-omote. So new in fact, that the ends have not been trimmed to fit the tatami; the ends are little "bushy" when rolled up and you may require an extra 1/4" (6 mm) of spike to firmly seat their makiwara.

    So on July 22, 2000 I conducted a test to compare commercially available beach mats and Mugen Dachi (www.tameshigiri.com) tatami coverings. This report is the findings of my test.

    Mugen Dachi Tatami-omote

    The Mugen Dachi mats are made of new double-ply construction. They are purpose-made by a Japanese company for the tatami trade and are used as the top cover on Japanese tatami floor mats. These tatami-omote - as they are called in Japanese - measure approximately 6' x 3' (70" x 35", 178 cm x 89 cm) and are 4" (10 cm) in diameter when rolled and fully soaked. After draining, they are heavy and stiff. Throughout this report I will refer to Mugen Dachi's product as "tatami-omote."

    Cost: $3.50 each (lower prices are available for larger quantities).
    Retailer: Mugen Dachi

    Beach Mats

    These Chinese-made mats are sold as beach mats and have thin colored cloth borders with two tie-down straps sewn along the perimeter of the short sides. These beach mats are of a flat single-ply construction and are very thin compared to the robustness of the fibers used in the Mugen Dachi tatami-omote. One mat rolled up measures about 1.5" (3.8 cm) in diameter when soaked for eight hours, and is very flexible. Three mats rolled together measure about 4.25" (10.8 cm) after soaking; however, they are still flexible and pliable compared to tatami-omote. Throughout this report I will refer to this product as a "beach mat."

    Cost: About $1.25 each.
    Retailer: Various shops in San Francisco's Chinatown; Pier 1 Imports; etc.

    Test Preparation

    I prepared both products identically one day prior to the test. After folding the mats in thirds and tightly rolling them, I affixed each makiwara with five rubber bands. To obtain like-sized targets, I had to use three beach mats per makiwara; however, I needed to use only one piece of the Mugen Dachi tatami-omote per makiwara. Both brands of makiwara were mixed together and simultaneously soaked for a period of 10-12 hours. After six hours elapsed, I rotated the mat mixture to ensure each makiwara had equal time in water. (Makiwara float, even when waterlogged, and especially when piled upon each other in a stack; rotation alleviates the problem of the top makiwara being semi-moist or dry.)

    Three hours prior to the test I removed all makiwara and stood each one vertically, allowing excess water to drain. When the test session began, both brands of makiwara were heavier and "meatier" than in the dry state. However, the beach mats were noticeably lighter in weight and more flexible compared to the tatami-omote.

    Tameshigiri

    I prepared five makiwara of each type and used a vertical-post tameshigiri stand with a 5" (120 cm) wooden spike to transfix the makiwara. The cuts were executed using a Nosyuiaido "steel iaito." Air temperature was 82 degrees Fahrenheit (28 degrees Celsius); winds were easterly at 5 knots (just joking - I was inside the dojo). I executed between four to six cuts on each makiwara, using left and right kesagiri (downward diagonal cut), gyaku kesagiri (upward diagonal cut), and suihei giri (horizontal cut).

    The three-piece beach mat makiwara provides a soft target and I found that I needed less strength and blade velocity to cut through the beach mat makiwara. The mats are very forgiving if you slap-strike them with your blade, but the makiwara bend slightly at the base during the cut, especially with suihei giri.
    The single-mat Mugen Dachi makiwara are heavy, stiff, and "meaty," definitely requiring proper blade angle-of-attack, velocity, and strength. When you hit this target, you get the substantial feel and sound ("ssssszzzip") that are lacking in the beach mats. The tatami-omote are green and also have that "smell of Japan." I did not experience makiwara-bend as I had with the beach mats; these were nice and firm. If I didn't cut suihei giri well, I obtained a solid "thwack" with a resultant scoop in the makiwara. It did not bend at the base.

    Cutting a two-mat Mugen Dachi makiwara is a real test of one's skill. Although I often cut two-mat targets, I did not include those metrics because a two-mat makiwara becomes a test of the sword and the swordsman rather than the target material. However, it was fun - the gyaku-kesagiri was especially challenging.

    Analysis

    The beach mats are good for beginners, but the Mugen Dachi mats are better for experienced practitioners and can be cut in half for use by beginners. Therefore they are my recommendation for cutting. And, while initially the Chinese beach mats seemed cheaper than Mugen Dachi's tatami-omote, cost per makiwara is essentially the same:

    Mugen Dachi tatami-omote --
    $3.50 each
    1 mat per roll = $3.50 per makiwara

    Beach mats --
    $1.25 each
    3 mats per roll = $3.75 per makiwara

    Therefore I recommend Mugen Dachi tatami-omote for cutting.

    Availability

    David Wilson of Mugen Dachi says the company always has tatami-omote available and that you can buy any quantity, no minimum. However, you can combine orders with other people to get a price break if you would like. Price breaks currently occur at 320 pieces and 620 pieces per order.

    Point of Contact: David Wilson
    e-mail: mugendachi@tameshigiri.com
    URL: http://www.tameshigiri.com
    Guy H. Power
    Kenshinkan Dojo

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2000
    Location
    Northern VA, USA
    Posts
    299
    Likes (received)
    2

    Default

    Hi Guy,
    I ordered a bunch of these mats some time ago and have been happily cutting them. The owner of Mugen Dachi generously extended his initial discount (for those who answered an online survey, no longer available) since I was overseas at the time and could not order. They came much sooner than I expected. Shipping was a bit expensive, but they are pretty hefty, so no way to get around that. A friend (my first student) made a very nice cutting stand for us. The mats are very consistent in size and weight, so you can judge your stroke against a constant. They do require a good hasuji and an even stroke, but that's what tameshigiri is about, neh? Having also cut the 'used' Japanese mats, the best thing about the Mugen Dachi ones is that they are new. That means you can order a large number and store them, not worry about them going 'bad'. I haven't gotten around to cutting a double mat yet, but will try that soon.
    Regards,
    Dave Drawdy
    "the artist formerly known as Sergeant Major"

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2000
    Location
    Moffett Field, CA
    Posts
    896
    Likes (received)
    3

    Default

    Hello Dave, good to hear from you again.

    I heard from Ron Zediker -- they've bought a house in a town between London and Oxford. He expects to be there for 13 years -- that's how long he was in Japan.

    Good news about your student -- Toyama Ryu?

    Regards,
    Guy
    Guy H. Power
    Kenshinkan Dojo

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2000
    Location
    Northern VA, USA
    Posts
    299
    Likes (received)
    2

    Default

    Guy,
    Hai, we are working on the Toyama set, lots of basics first. Good to hear about Ron finally getting settled in.
    Later,
    Dave
    Dave Drawdy
    "the artist formerly known as Sergeant Major"

Similar Threads

  1. Tatami omote - new method?
    By Ken-Hawaii in forum Sword Arts
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 8th September 2006, 07:36
  2. Tatami-omote by Mugen Dachi
    By ghp in forum Sword Arts
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 7th November 2000, 00:41
  3. Tameshigiri
    By Eric McKillican in forum Sword Arts
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 10th August 2000, 21:02
  4. Product review website
    By Joseph Svinth in forum Clothing and Supplies
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 19th July 2000, 16:47

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •