There
are many ways to make targets for tameshigiri. The instructions
we offer have worked well for us for many years. If you have
a good technique for making targets that you would like to
share,
please send us an email.
First
you should decide whether you will be making half, full,
or multiple mat targets. We have found that for most of our
tameshigiri
we prefer to use targets made from a half-mat. The smaller diameter
targets show us more about the quality of our technique because
they bend slightly if something is not correct. In a way full
targets are less frustrating to use, but if you want to see
your mistakes,
half-targets will tell you more. An added bonus is that you can
do twice as much cutting, or spend half as much money.
As a reference for people who have used beach mats for tameshigiri; a target
made from one full piece of our tatami is equal in diameter to three or four
beach mats rolled together. However, the tatami omote targets will be stiffer
than the beachmat targets.
For horizontal target cutting techniques we recommend the standard practice of
using
full-mat targets.
For checking your power we recommend two or more full pieces of tatami omote
rolled together to make one target.
Please Note: We do not recommend using a full-length
piece of bamboo or dowel through the center of the target during cutting practice
unless you have prior experience
cutting hard materials. Serious damage to your sword may occur if you
cut incorrectly!
It is important that you make sure the area where you roll your targets is completely
free of dirt, rocks, or other abrasive materials. If one grain of sand or grit
is rolled into your target and your sword strikes it, you will scratch the polish,
dull the edge, or both. One big advantage of our new tatami omote is that you
don’t have to check for staples or worry about embedded grit. Always shake
out tatami omote before you roll a target whether it is new or used. Carefully
check for staples in used tatami.
Making
a Target Continued
To
help make things a bit easier we
have provided the following PDF files
Make
a Target (text) | Make
a Target (illustrations) | Make
a Cutting Stand
Download
Adobe Acrobat Reader for free to easily view and print PDF
Files
