Thank
you to Sensei Nathan Scott for his time and efforts on our
behalf and for his permission to use the article on our
website. We have included only the text portion of the review.
To see the entire review with all of the original
pictures included check
here. Please
be sure to
visit the Tsuki Kage Dojo website.
June
22, 2000
"Mugen Dachi Company" Tatami
Omote Review
Shortly
after responding to a preliminary market survey regarding the
prospective importation
of tameshigiri grade tatami
omote (6' X 3' woven tatami sheets, used to cover tatami floorboards)
into North America, the "Mugen Dachi Company", owned
by Mr. Jim Alvarez and Mr. David Wilson, approached me requesting
a written review of the makiwara (target) quality and performance.
Concurrently, Mr. Wilson rushed me 20 complimentary makiwara
(I had committed to buying a box anyway, but there's no sense
in turning
down free targets!) to use for testing as I saw fit. Friday June
9th, an associate Mr. Howard Quick (Shinkendo Australia) and myself
prepared the shipment of makiwara in accordance with the target
preparation instructions found on the Mugen Dachi web page.
Preparation
of makiwara:
* 6 - Full mats (single stand)
* 6 - Half mats
* 5 - Full mats (dotangiri)
*1 - 6 full mat target wrapped around an approx. 1.5" diameter
(4" circumference) dense mosodake bamboo core.
The mats were then bundled together, placed in a tub and weighted
down completely submersed (to ensure thorough, even saturation).
Soaking time was approximately 6-7 hours, which is a little
on the short side normally, but generally adequate for cutting
(this amount of time is recommended for MDC's new mats). It
is worth mentioning that some mats that are over soaked become
soft and soggy, which in turn *reduces* the resistance to cutting
(the targets become considerably softer than flesh, which is
what it the mats are supposed to replicate) and allows even
some poorly executed cuts to successfully pass through. Conversely,
an undersoaked target will be overly resistant, and if cut
dry will be nearly impossible to cut. Proper preparation of
traditional targets is therefor an important part of practicing
tameshigiri/shizan.
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