Never, ever attempt tameshigiri on your own!

Test cutting must always be conducted under the supervision of licensed instructor qualified in Tameshigiri.

Shinkendo tameshigiri is performed with live blades (shinken) approved for this purpose with safety of the public and the performer in mind.

Tatami omote (wara) and bamboo are the only materials approved for tameshigiri by Obata Kaiso and he I.S.F. (International Shinkendo Federation).

Using other targets for tameshigri practice is considered highly inappropriate and is prohibited by Obata Kaiso and the I.S.F. ( International Shinkendo Federation) .

Internet / blogs and sword forums contain many stories describing instances of inexperienced, unsupervised persons injuring themselves or others (not I.S.F. members) who do not follow prescribed guidelines listed above. Often such individuals have no formal training in safe, correct tameshigiri methodology.

Obata Kaiso and the I.S.F. recently published the only known comprehensive test cutting manual,“Shinkendo Tameshigiri”

Note:
This video is from a recent tameshigiri session which afforded an opportunity for some students to participate in their very first experience at test cutting.

At times you may hear a bit of talking, encouragement, and other expressions of positive reenforcement. Generally talking is not desirable or encouraged, however in the context of this practice session, was acceptable.  

Look for more video clips in the future.

For more information about the Shinkendo Tameshigiri  book; other I.S.F. publications,
and the founder of Shinkendo, Toshishiro Obata, visit the honbu website: www.shinkendo.com 

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