The technique for rolling a target is the similar no
matter
what size, or how many mats you use.
1) Take your half, full, or double/triple/etc. mat, and lay it
flat on the clean floor or tarp.
2) To make rolling
much easier you can use a long dowel (40”-
48”) that is 1/8 of an inch smaller in diameter than
the peg you use on your cutting stand. Place the dowel along
the
short edge of the mat and start rolling the mat around the
dowel toward the opposite end. You can make targets without
a dowel, but you should check the fit of the peg from your
cutting stand when
you are done to be sure it fits into the center of the target
snugly. It is very important to push firmly as you roll the
target, making
sure
to keep all
the layers of the tatami rolled together as tightly as possible.
A target that has air gaps and is rolled loosely will lack
stiffness and be difficult to cut.
For targets made with two or more mats, roll the mat tightly
all the way to the end and continue with step 4.
3) When you have rolled the mat to within 14-18 inches of
the loose end, grab the far edge, bring it back towards you, and slide the
loose end of the mat under
the section you are rolling. Continue rolling the mat tightly until you have
no more to roll. At this point, with the mat rolled as far as possible, you
can flatten the end with the heel of your hand or a wooden peg.
4) Keeping the mat rolled tightly, tie a string
approximately 2-3 inches from the end of the target and repeat
the process at the other end. With the two ends
tied, you can tie a third string around the center of the target.
For a more traditional look tie the target between the center
tie and each of the end ties. Carefully remove the dowel making
sure the tatami stays in place.
Don’t forget to remove the dowel before you soak
and cut
the target!
5) When it is dark green our tatami omote
draws up water very quickly. If you are in a hurry 4 hours
should be a sufficient minimum time for soaking if the
targets are fully immersed. Using warm water will help. For
better results we normally soak our new tatami omote targets
for at least 10-12 hours. Increased soaking time does not hurt
the tatami and will produce a heavier, more dense, target.
Maximum density is reached in about 30 hours. Our new tatami
omote can
be soaked continuously for several days without softening or
losing any stiffness or density. Multiple mat targets should
be soaked for 24 hours, or longer, depending on the number
of mats used. As the tatami ages, the color lightens, and the
targets may require longer soaking times. Stand all targets
up vertically
in a shaded area for 30 to 60 minutes before cutting to drain
off excess water. When draining the targets keep them out of
the direct sunlight or strong breezes
or
they
may
dry out.
See
how it's done with this visual
guide to making a target.
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
|
Our
tatami omote is made from 100% organic materials.
Please make sure to recycle the cut mats if possible.
Many communities
provide "Green" containers for this purpose. Some
of our customers even use the cut pieces as a mulch or weed
block. |
Test
cutting can be very dangerous for the practitioner
and those nearby. Do not attempt to do any test cutting
without first getting qualified guidance from a trained
instructor. Make sure that your equipment is in good
working order and that the area is clear of people
and obstructions. ALWAYS check to make sure that the
mekugi (peg) in the sword handle is in good condition
and firmly in place before starting. We strongly recommend
the
use
of two
pegs for an additional margin of safety. Please read
and follow all instructions. |
The
Mugen Dachi company, Tameshigiri.com, and its owners
are not liable for
any accidents, injuries, or damage that occur during the use of our products. |
