Tameshigiri Sword Testing
Tameshigiri: Literally meaning test cut, tameshigiri was the practice, popular in the Edo Period of Japanese history, of testing the quality of new Japanese swords. Now tameshigiri has become a martial art.
Tameshigiri - the art of Japanese swordmanship 試し切り
Jake Davies
Literally meaning "test cut", tameshigiri was the practice, popular in the Edo Period, of testing the quality of new Japanese swords.
Performed only by master swordsmen to ensure that the varying quality of swordsmanship did not effect the results of the testing, various kinds of target were used, most famously convicted criminals.
Sometimes the criminal would be executed by tameshigiri, but more commonly corpses were used. However, not all corpses were suitable. Those of Buddhist priests, "untouchables", or any showing obvious signs of disease would not be used for fear of tainting and spiritually polluting the sword.
The martial art of tameshigiri, sword testing, at Okuizumo Tatara Sword Museum
In the Meiji Period it became illegal to use corpses, and out of all the other different materials tested the one that became most commonly used was goza, sometimes called tatami omote, which is the mat that covers the top surface of tatami. Rolled up and soaked in water, with a length of green bamboo inserted in the center to simulate bone, this is believed to be the target that most approximates flesh.
Nowadays tameshigiri, sometimes called Shito or Shizan, is practiced as a martial art, and the focus is on the skill of the swordsman rather than the quality of the sword. Like most martial arts it is highly ritualized. The targets are most often set vertically, though sometimes horizontally, and there are a wide range of cuts, diagonally left and right, up and down, as well as many combinations of cuts in quick succession.
These photos and short videos were taken during a demonstration at the Okuizumo Tatara Sword Museum in Shimane Prefecture, and the swordsman is a Mr. Yoshihara from Izumo.
To see a demonstration you can sign up (in Japanese) here:
okuizumo.org/jp/plantour/detail/311
or contact the Okuizumo Tourist Information Office who have English speaking staff (Tel: 0854 54 2260).
The soaked and rolled top goza mat of a tatami is used to demonstrate the cut
The Japanese swordsman is Mr. Yoshihara demonstrating the art of tameshigiri
Access - Getting There
Tatara Sword Museum
1380-1 Yokota, Okuizumo-cho, Nita-gun
Shimane Prefecture 699-1832
Tel: 0854 52 2770
Open from 9.30am to 4.30pm. Closed Mondays and over the New Year.
Entry 520 yen for adults, kids 200.
For the demonstration days it's 1,250 yen and 620 yen.
The museum is located 1 kilometer from JR Izumo-Yokota Station on the Kisuki Line, about 2 hours from either Matsue or Izumo stations. Izumo-Yokota Station is one of the stops on the exciting Orochi Sightseeing Train.
The Japan Rail Pass can be used on the Okuizumo Orochi train.
A demonstration of tameshigiri, sword testing, at Okuizumo Tatara Sword Museum
Video
Related
Read about tatara - furnaces used to produce the steel for Japanese swords.
Read more on Japanese Culture.
Discover the Okuizumo region of Shimane Prefecture.
