Tameshigiri

Tameshigiri, also know as 'test cutting' is not as large of a part of our art as it is for some others. But a few times a year we get some straw mats and slice them with swords. It's a useful training tool to point out weaknesses in your form; when you fail to cut the mat it's obvious that you did something wrong. It is also fun on a very visceral level.

Last night we cut for the first time since October. It was clear that I am badly out of practice, but never mind that. I also took some pictures, and while most of them look terrible, I really liked how this one turned out, artistically speaking: