Once you learn how to cut, what should you cut?

So you've been training diligently and finally have enough practice time, experience and the sword you've been dreaming night and day about. You've also done your homework and got a good target stand that will help teach you about your swing. So before you go swinging away, there are several potential target materials available to you for your practice of target cutting. 

Now however the next important question becomes "what is realistic cutting material?" Before we go any further, let's just start by saying that fruit and vegetables are not in the list of choices for the practice. Not just because they don't have enough density or resistance but more importantly they won't let you appear on the 'Iron Chef' with a sword. And sorry but there are no more casting calls at the networks for John Belushi stand-ins for his 'Samurai delicatessen' skit. Seriously though, fruit and veggies can permanently stain a swords finish and there's no practical way to hold them. People are not target stands. 

That's just asking for trouble. Business cards and other paper products also shouldn't be used for regular cutting. All paper products have chemicals and acids in them, not to mention the fact they are very abrasive to the swords edge. Two or three times a year we use a special low-grade blade to check swing line and grip issues. This type of training, like all cutting practice at should fit the caliber and expertise of the participants. Always approach all forms of target practice calmly, orderly and methodically. It will save time and limit needless error. 

Just like careless gun etiquette, poorly handled swords makes people nervous and makes the art form look like amateurs set the ground rules. We all contribute to the validity of the practice when we take a professional approach from the very beginning. When it comes to swords and cutting practice, keep things simple, think conservatively and let safety be your primary concern. After having the appropriate swordsmanship and target cutting experience as the first components, minimizing abrasion and certainly any potential damage to the sword should be your be next on your list of priorities. 

And lastly, just because you can cut your credit card with a pair of scissors doesn't mean that cutting plastic bottles filled with water is ok. It's dangerous and messy for you and the spectators and bad for the sword. If people around you suggest doing this, use the latter part of the directions on fireworks - get away! Far away! This ridiculous practice is dangerous, doesn't prove anything and is a waste of time.

Realistic target materials today exist in a logical and sequential order based on density factors. In former times qualified swordsmen did test cutting on a variety of readily accessible materials based on the peculiar needs of the time. Back then various sorts of materials were used representing the demands of those times. Materials ranged from lacquered armor, to steel helmets, all the way to the unfortunate criminal.

The latter part of the 20th century saw the beginning of what is now considered traditional target materials. Various types of straw, flax and grasses represented various densities that were first bundled into a basic dowel shape and then soaked in water so the target wouldn't explode with the swords impact and the cut could be read. Soaking made the fibers supple and cushioned the impact. 

Bundled rice straw was readily accessible throughout Japan and Korea and had the added benefit of being a socially acceptable material for the practice. From the early 1900's Goza, the covering for tatami mats, became the material of choice for cutting practice because it's higher density and consistent read from the practice. Over the past 5 - 10 years other grass type materials have surfaced that are less dense and in some cases more cost effective. 

High level test cutters also use certain types of soft wood and bamboo yet this is a practice that requires a lot of experience with technique as well as knowledge for the right variety of bamboo to use. NOTE: when cutting bamboo, only use freshly cut green bamboo. All bamboo is challenging to cut due to the risk of damage to the sword, even with small diameter pieces.

Mugen Dachi's omote targets are the most readily accessible targets and are my personal favorite next to 'Goza'. Goza is used in most cutting tournaments in Japan and what I used to set my world record. It gives the truest read of the cut from the first cut at the top to the last cut at the bottom. When you're cutting your way down the target, make it a habit to never cut below the last string or rubber band which should be located about 5-6 inches above the bottom of the target where it meets the tabletop of the target stand. 

This will lower the risk of cutting into the target stand spike. With the right knowledge one can 'read the cut' to tell exactly what sort of swing action was used as well as the caliber of the swordsman attempting the cut. A well cut target should be cleanly and uniformly angled. It will almost like the fibers were sealed by the cutting action.

The chart below has been provided to list the most commonly recommended target material available today in the U.S. listed from soft to hard density factors for each. NOTE:

Don't be too surprised when shipping targets to your area is as much if not more than the price of the targets themselves. Half pieces of any mat type target material makes the practice more cost effective.

How to interpret this chart: A. Novice target cutter - This is anyone with less than 2 years cutting experience. B. Intermediate target cutters = persons with 2-5 years cutting experience C. Advanced target cutters = persons with 6-10 years cutting experience D. Master class target test cutters = persons with 15 years cutting experience

People from group "A" should only consider cutting targets from categories 1 to 4. Advanced beginners should be able to handle #6 under the direct supervision of a qualified instructor. Persons from the "B" group are categories 1 - 7 with instructor supervision. People from the "C" group would be instructor class working from categories 4 - 7. Depending on their experience might attempt small diameter type 8 or 9 if a proper holding device is available. The "D" for Dynamic group should be capable of and have practice with all 12 types of cutting material throughout a range of kata combinations in the flow of movement.

Note:

Categories 8 and 9 should use exercise extreme caution by using sufficient means to secure the material prior to any attempt. Attempts on even small diameter material should be approached conservatively with utmost caution.

Types 10 and 11 are very difficult for their density and the additional element of inconsistent shapes and varying densities from cut to cut makes this even more challenging.

Type 12 is on this list simply to add perspective for its density factor. With any of the types 8 through 11, there is a high risk of bending and especially chipping or breaking the sword. The swords for this use must be able to handle these sort stresses. There are very few swords that qualify for use in this type of high level cutting practice.

A simple and definitive rule of thumb for any target cutting exercise is the phrase "When in doubt, chicken out". There is no disgrace in humility and good judgment.

More information is available on our web site at www.ishiyamaryu.com

Russell McCartney is the Current World Champion for target test cutting. Article submitted to Black Belt Magazine on 3-23-06.