Tameshigiri Comes to Minnesota
or
Ya! Dis is some kinda aventure,
doncha know!
The principles and techniques of tameshigiri are a fundamental part of basic training in Toyama Ryu Batto Jutsu. We all know the procedure: roll the mats, soak 'em, drain 'em, spike 'em, and cut 'em. Pretty straight forward to the observer. But to the practitioner its the details that are important. Anybody can take a sharp sword and hack a tatami in two. Just like anybody can perform an appendectomy. All you do is slice open the abdomen, snip off the inflamed appendix, and sew 'er up. But it's the skill and traing of the person performing the surgery or the kesa giri that makes the difference in the final outcome.
This special training and attention to details are essential when performing tameshigiri in places and situations outside the controlled environment of the dojo. Many of us have encountered this on the nights we cut outside in the parking lot or around the bonfire at one of Sensei's parties. Just the act of wearing shoes changes things, your balance, the way you walk... but with the proper training you adapt to these changes and overcome the difficulties... sometimes.
Since moving to Minesota I have discovered a whole bunch of little differences that I had never considered while training in Orlando. Differences which brought home to me the importance fo the training offered by Elder Sensei.
When I first arrived here in July it was no big deal. The weather was ideal. I set up a training area/dojo in the back yard behind the unused tool house. I marked the corners with concrete blocks and put in two posts for cutting stands. Enough room for kata practice and tameshigiri away from the uncertain eyes of the neighbors and passerbys. I even carried on the Redneck Samurai spirit by performing kata practice while Bar-B-Queing (I discovered that turning the chicken after every four katas works out fine). Plus, I was able to get in serious training for the Tai Kai. Now, however, things have changed. |
