⚔Join the Online Kobudo Training with Seki Sensei⚔ Sign Up HERE (One Lesson FREE): www.patreon.com/lets_ask_sekisensei Interested in taking lessons directly from the 22nd headmaster of Kobudo Asayama Ichiden Ryu, Seki sensei? Sign up to learn authentic samurai skills with 400 years of history with perfect English interpretation from Let’s ask Shogo (kzitem.info). ❶ No previous martial arts experience is required; you can catch up anytime ❷ Every lesson will be RECORDED and will be available to rewatch anytime ❸ You can ask Seki Sensei questions about the techniques and samurai culture/history ❹ You can join even if you belong to another Ryuha style ❺ You can receive OFFICIAL DAN RANKS by taking exams online (and opening a DOJO in the future) 🛍Purchase the Equipment You Need for Training: tozandoshop.com/letsaskshogo🛍 🗡Iaitō (training katana): tozandoshop.com/collections/habahiro-heavy-weight-iaito/products/byakko-tenryu-semi-custom-iaito?variant=34479502164101 *🗡Bokutō (wooden katana) with plastic Saya (scabbard): tozandoshop.com/collections/iaido-bokuto/products/the-nyumon-iaido-beginners-set 🥋Dōgi and Hakama: tozandoshop.com/collections/kendo-uniform-sets/products/basic-synthetic-kendo-uniform-set-1?variant=39417538216069 🥋Inner Obi (any color): tozandoshop.com/collections/iaido-obi/products/cotton-kaku-obi?variant=34282096230533 🥋Outer Obi (must be WHITE): tozandoshop.com/collections/aikido-obi/products/white-aikido-obi?variant=34120442413189 🦯Short Jō staff: tozandoshop.com/collections/polearms/products/4-21-shaku-jo?variant=39604823195781 🦯Long Jō staff: tozandoshop.com/collections/polearms/products/5-shaku-bo?variant=34073586106501 🧐Frequently Asked Questions About Our Online Lessons: Q❓: I have no experience with katana. Will I still be able to catch up? A💡: You don’t need any previous katana martial arts experience to participate in our lessons. Seki Sensei, the instructor of the online lessons, will carefully give you instructions on how to handle the katana regardless of your level. You will also be able to access all the videos of the past lessons, so you can watch what every other student has learned in the past. You can also send us videos of your progress, and Seki Sensei will be happy to give you feedback. Q❓: What is the right length of the Iaito (zinc alloy training katana) I should use? A💡: Please purchase an Iaitō that is at least two blocks longer than the standard length. The standard length for Seki Sensei is about 177cm, so he should use a 2.45 Shaku long katana. However, he uses a 2.6 Shaku-long katana that is supposed to be used by someone 190cm tall. If the katana is too short, it becomes too easy to draw, which is not good for training. Q❓: Can I join even if I belong to a different Ryuha style? A💡: Yes, it’s not a problem at all. The Seki Sensei himself has trained in more than five styles and various other weapons. If you don’t want others to know that you are participating, you can join the online lessons with your camera off. To have the Sensei check your progress, you can send us a video of you practicing. 🗡Join the Online Iaido Training with Seki Sensei🗡 Sign Up Here (One Lesson FREE): www.patreon.com/sekisenseiiaidotraining Interested in taking Iaido lessons directly from the 8th Dan Iaido Master with 40 years of experience in Musō Shinden Ryu, Seki sensei? Sign up to learn authentic samurai skills with perfect English interpretation from Let’s ask Shogo. ❶ No previous martial arts experience is required; you can catch up anytime ❷ Every lesson will be RECORDED and will be available to rewatch anytime ❸ You can ask Seki Sensei questions about the techniques and samurai culture/history ❹ You can join even if you belong to another Ryuha style 💻Seki Sensei's Official Website💻 sekisensei.com/ 🎵Original Opening Theme Song "Hyakuren"🎵 Performance: Hanafugetsu (Singer/Suzuhana Yuko, Shakuhachi/Kaminaga Daisuke, Koto/Ibukuro Kiyoshi) Compositions & Arrangements: Suzuhana Yuko Mixing & Mastering: Watabiki Yuta ❓What is Asayama Ichiden Ryu? / Who is Seki sensei?❓ kzitem.info/news/bejne/k5d4saGNpnyhfaw 📱Instagram📱 instagram.com/lets_ask_sekisensei/ *Please ask us questions through the DM here ♪Music♪ elements.envato.com/audio otowabi.com/category/material/japan #katana #iaido #kenjutsu #kobudo #asayamaichidenryu
@mm-yt8sf
Жыл бұрын
a sushi chef might not be so good in combat with an angry fish 🙂
@wilowhisp
Жыл бұрын
Very wise indeed.
@mordred666child_of_diaboli9
Жыл бұрын
Ha! , That's a good one 🙂
@misterlau5246
Жыл бұрын
Ha ha ha ha ha. That means fish is fresh! 🧐 And healthy! 🧐
@MrNajibrazak
Жыл бұрын
funny, but wise. ppl should drill this in into their heads to help them achieve their goals.
@roensoul
Жыл бұрын
But sushi can be smashed with angry fist.
@RafaelKeveluk
Жыл бұрын
Seki Sensei: Here, let me show you a bad cut now. *Does a good cut on accident/out of habit* Seki: Oops
@samyakroy4210
Жыл бұрын
That was quite funny and amazing at the same time 😆😮
@justinkam9729
Жыл бұрын
Task failed successfully.
@toddwatkins5011
Жыл бұрын
Did it twice with bad form(on purpose). This man has impressive katana skills.
@garyslaughter9923
9 ай бұрын
The embodiment of the old advice, "Don't practice until you get it right. Practice until you can't get it wrong."
@Leftyotism
3 ай бұрын
Lol, that was the most fun part! I had burst out laughing too! 😂🤣 Seki Sensei is just too good! 🥰
@benneel5396
7 ай бұрын
It's amazing that such a small movement can do so much damage.
@Benis650
10 ай бұрын
Wow, the commentary in this video is very clear and logical. I've never thought about the differences before. Instead of completely severing an object, warriors trained for actual combat focus more on effectively inflicting damage while matntaining their stance
@WinnipegKnightlyArts
Жыл бұрын
This is a big misperception in western swordsmanship too. The things that make cutting through a test target successful have more to do with the speed of the cut and follow through, but when fencing a person in a match, it's far more important to maintain control of the opponent and readiness to counter when the move to attack rather than trying to cleave through their whole torso. Same with winding up with the whole body to strike. It is more important to maintain your safety through constrained attacks that prevent the opponent from attacking you.
@Krack2805
Жыл бұрын
basically all forms of combat.
@sitnamkrad
Жыл бұрын
I think this is more a misunderstanding of what these test cuts are supposed to be for. The point is not to practice your cuts on test targets all the time, hoping they will eventually make you good at combat. The point is to test whether the cuts you have trained for combat all this time are actually any good. And the most important part of these tests is neither speed nor follow through, but edge alignment.
@WinnipegKnightlyArts
Жыл бұрын
@@sitnamkrad I would disagree with that on a couple points. The point of test cutting is more about testing the sword than the swordsman, both historically, and still today if you consider fencing against an opponent. The way you cut a target has very little to do with how you cut to an opponent. If you want to be good at cutting a resisting opponent it is better to train with blunt weapons since most of the issues are down to finding or creating openings where you can cut the opponent without being cut. If you can do that consistently, the specifics of the wound are less important. As for edge alignment, generally the stiffer the blade, the more forgiving the alignment, yet we see video of people with machetes, which are very flexible and comparatively hard to align, manage to harm each other without any special form or technique. Again you don't need an amazing perfectly honed strike to get the the job done, as much as you need to minimize the amount of risk you take when you make a strike. As for cutting targets for it's own sake (which is fun), again, stiffer blade gives you a wider margin of error, so with a katana you can get the job done without perfect alignment. Most commonly I see people fail to cut a target due to clenching up and slowing down the cut as they make impact, again assuming a rigid blade such as a katana.
@sitnamkrad
Жыл бұрын
@@WinnipegKnightlyArts Sorry but this is incorrect on multiple levels. Assuming your intention is to take out your opponent as quickly as possible, how you cut an opponent is incredibly important. Edge alignment can make the difference between someone having a cut in their arm, and someone no longer having an arm. Of course defence is still very important. And depending on the time period, every wound would very likely be lethal eventually. But if you need to end your opponent right now, proper cutting techniques will help immensely. And that's also the main reason for using a blunt sword while training, because you don't want to end your sparring partner. And it's perfectly possible to train and test edge alignment with a blunt sword. We used an old blunt sword and a block of clay for that. Proper technique would easily get that sword through the clay as if it wasn't even there. Bad technique would get your sword stuck in the clay halfway in. Your comparison to machetes is also questionable, because those are in fact not very flexible at all. Which makes sense because it is rather short and meant as a tool for hacking/chopping plants, not a weapon. (perhaps you meant something else?) Can you harm someone with it? Sure. But you can do that with any sharp object. Just because you drew blood doesn't mean you won the fight.
@chickensandwich1589
10 ай бұрын
Indeed, better to cut off a finger and maintain a defensive guard rather than go for chopping off an entire arm and get a double in the process.
@geromyre
Жыл бұрын
This video not only was incredibly insightful, but it gave me a profound epiphany of a childhood memory. I now have a much more full understanding behind Goemon's famous quote, "once again I have cut a worthless object". Always just believed it was a hilariously pithy statement from the one serious character in a goofy series, which it is, but now I can more readily understand his disdain. All of his combat prowess just to cut a worthless object. Yet another fantastic video! Thanks so much!
@pertedin4924
Жыл бұрын
That was a lot of food for thought! Thanks! I have long noticed that people (also Japanese) on KZitem that do tameshigiri are using techniques that differ from what I have been taught in iaiado class constitutes a "good" cut. Now I begin to understand why there is a difference and how to relate to it..
@Nanashi_Kenshin
Жыл бұрын
I was just watching this on his original channel. I'm glad you made an English version lol keep up the good work!
@geraldojunior1993
Жыл бұрын
Thanks again, Shogo and Seki Sensê, for shining a great light on topics we westerners usually have poor (if any) access to. The hints Seki Sensê gives on REAL FIGHT with a Katana are really a richess. Domo Arigato. God BLESS YOU people.
@africansinclair
11 ай бұрын
Realy insightful. Like when kids play sword fight and hit each others swords, the one who stabs all the time gets told to fight properly! Fight the target, dont just try cut it.
@boatoflol
Жыл бұрын
Wow that were some amazing insights! As I never practiced shinkendo or iaido but did shizan I never made that connection. As if it's necessary to cut your opponent into pieces to win a fight haha. But I easily thought the better I cut, the better I could handle the blade, now painfully learned that obvious mistake. Thanks!
@theharbingeroftruth4383
Жыл бұрын
I want to hear Seki sensei talk about his daily routine outside of martial arts, and how he implements his self into the martial world.
@samuelanders7597
10 ай бұрын
This is something i noticed in a lot of martial arts. The combat arts have been largely forgotten in favor of sport. The techniques are different
@nahte123
Жыл бұрын
The American Bladesmith Society requires cutting 2x4s and free-hanging rope, and I've noticed the skills it takes to perform those cuts probably wouldn't directly translate to a combat situation.
@MrNajibrazak
Жыл бұрын
very spot on observation.
@johncartwright8154
Жыл бұрын
This is most enlightening! Naively, on taking up Iaido, I presumed that successful tameshigiri was the pinnacle of achievement in the art, as in my style it is only practised by Shodan and above. I think that visualising a virtual opponent, his actions and reactions is one of the most difficult aspects of Iaido. (In Mugai Ryu, using Iaito we do not have a partner for kata, except when performing kenjitsu with bokken of course). I can see that lauding the cutting of mats is a hindrance to this, as one's blade swings wide and is no threat to the actions of one's adversary, making one vulnerable to counter moves. We are taught to maintain pressure at all times with the kissaki always threatening the opponent.
@peterchristiansen9695
Жыл бұрын
Thank You so much, Seki Sensei and Shogo-san, for making this video! 👍🏻👏🏻 I actually wish that ALL serious content-providers on this (or any) platform, who upload videos about test-cutting (in relation to martial arts) - or “backyard-cutting” (for fun!), for that matter - would periodically post a disclaimer that clearly states SOMETHING to the effect of: "Cutting objects with a sharp, pointy metal implement does NOT a great Swordsman (or Martial Artist) make!" This obviously (!) applies also to people who have conditioned their bodies (and minds) to breaking hard materials (bricks, tiles, wooden boards, etc.) with parts of their own body. ‘Iron-body’ training is (likewise) only one aspect of martial arts. An analogy from my own Scandinavian cultural sphere that would also apply: Just because I am proficient in cutting firewood with a splitting axe, doesn’t automatically imply that I am a skillful, battle axe wielding Viking warrior... A smart fellow once said (and I’m paraphrasing here): "Remember that a wooden board doesn’t hit back"! 😉
@warrikata
Жыл бұрын
These realistic reasons for the methods, and practical application of them, are what make Asayama Ichiden Ryu so mesmerizing. I have blisters on my feet and hands and my knees are so very sore, and yet I still have to force myself to stop practicing. Thank you so much for the content!
@angelosilva342
Жыл бұрын
Thank you Shogo, thank you Seki sensei. Very clear and easy to understand the difference.
@Saltuk_Han
11 ай бұрын
I understood. Thanks old man 🙏🏼
@xantiom
12 күн бұрын
Learning a new habit is hard, changing a bad habit it is next to impossible. So it is important to get the fundamentals right the first time.
@TheBeelzboss
11 ай бұрын
I would love to see some full speed sparring to see how a master reacts to things not going acording to plan and adjusting.
@kingfish4575
Жыл бұрын
This was very informative.
@richardsears6005
Жыл бұрын
Very informative, is it safe to assume mat cutting has basically become a way to show off speed and accuracy like breaking tiles are a test of strength in karate
@kaizen5023
11 ай бұрын
What Seki Sensei is saying all aligns with HEMA principles as well. "Tool" use vs using the sword as a weapon are two related yet mostly different things. It's like a Venn diagram with only 20% of Tool vs. Weapon overlapping.
@Lindsay-g6u
9 ай бұрын
Great advice as always.loce watching your videos. I would really appreciate you doing a video of self defence using a metal walking stick against an opponent using a sword & knife. Thank you 🇬🇧☸️
@TopLob
5 ай бұрын
"Has no relationship" is a bit of an exaggeration. For a modern comparison, it's true that being a good shot doesn't make you a good soldier, but a good soldier needs at least a certain level of accuracy. Same with tameshigiri. You need to be able to cut to a certain degree. The worse you are at cutting, the more limited your attack opportunities become, and the more cuts it takes to kill your opponent. The less effect the cuts have, the longer the fight is, and the higher risk is. This is why there is the expression 肉を切られて骨を切る (for the non-Japanese speakers: "you cut my flesh, but I cut your bone). A human can take a lot of superficial wounds to many areas of the body. It's only a few places where a superficial cut is lethal, and even then, your enemy will still be able to move for a while. You can cut someone's throat or an artery, and they will be able to move and react for at least a few seconds. However, if you cut through someone's bone, you're cutting the core structure of the body, and sometimes cutting off a limb or head, immediately removing all odds of survival or a sufficient response. In this video, only nukitsuke is demonstrated, so I'd like to point out that deep bone cuts are not possible without sacrificing yourself when cutting with one hand, like Seki Sensei points out. One-handed draw-cuts are typically to follow up with a solid cut, which is where the killing happens. So the lethality of the first cut is not a necessity. Two-handed cuts, however, are very doable without putting yourself at risk. I'd argue it's a greater risk to rely on superficial cuts. However, on the other hand, being a amazing at tameshigiri doesn't mean you'll be able to do the same in a fight. Incidentally, same goes for being good at practice sparring. If your mind is not suited for a real life fight, your technique will fall apart. This is why the old texts from legendary sword masters focus so heavily on mental aspects over the sword techniques themselves. They are rather brief when it comes to techniques, but even then they say a strong cut is better than superficial cuts. Even in an aiuchi, a superficial cut may not harm significantly, but a strong cut is likelier to kill. So even if both made a serious strategic mistake, if you can't cut, the enemy might kill you while only suffering a non-lethal injury. Imo, the limit to how good you should be able to cut can be gaged like this: you should be able to cut a single-, double-, and triple-mat roll, without a lot of effort. Single, hardened bamboo about 5cm in diameter. Bamboo rolled in a mat. Wara about 15 cm or more in diameter. You should be able to cut kesa, gyaku-kesa, hidari/migi kiriage, hidari/migi suiheigiri (the latter is not for bamboo though). However, if you find yourself doing trick-cutting, because all the other stuff is too easy, you're now just playing around, and not actually becoming a better swordsman. In short, tameshigiri is very related to kenjutsu skills for modern practitioners, but it's more of a core skill required, and not the entire martial art. So if tameshigiri is the main focus, you're more like a target shooter. It's fine, if that's what you want to do, but if you want to be good at fighting, it's only a basic necessary skill.
@Born_Stellar
Ай бұрын
' You need to be able to cut to a certain degree.' true, but what they are saying is that changing your technique in order to cut better makes you worse at kenjutsu. I think a better analogy would be those Olympic target shooters vs soldiers. those target shooters are probably more accurate, but they give up every aspect of being a solider in order to be that much more accurate. This is kind of the difference between tamashigiri and kenjutsu. Now I'm not saying you shouldn't be good at cutting, but in the video Seki explains that you shouldn't give up your technique in order to do it. And I believe they are talking about the sport/style (whatever its called) of tamashigiri vs kenjutsu. when you watch those tamashigiri videos they use very questionable technique, and putting way more power into it. I believe the idea of kenjutsu is that if your attack fails, you will be able to defend/counter and attack again. Like they also pointed out their dojo has grass matts and cutting stands, but they do not focus on techniques that are solely for cutting.
@xantiom
12 күн бұрын
The sensei's point flew over your head.
@ЕвгенийПетров-ы9и
14 күн бұрын
You have a video of Seki Sensei trying out an unfamiliar weapon. I really want to see his technique with the Polish sabre. Will he cut with it the same way as with a katana? Or will he change his technique? My sensei believes that the sabre can be cut with the same movements that you would cut a mat with. And he doesn't stop it after cutting. It quickly makes a circle and cuts again.
@mm-yt8sf
Жыл бұрын
in a freak accident his foe slipped on a banana peel and fell backward onto a bench exposing his chest to someone who trained for years to smash tiles stacked up to just that height 🙂
@danser_theplayer01
Жыл бұрын
"Opps I accidentally cut it." sums it all up...
@406522matt
Жыл бұрын
I'm pretty sure a lot of 300 pound+ men in their moms basements all across the globe are mad lol. Cool videos as always tho! 😊
I find some of the demonstrations difficult to follow but the permiss is vary understandable isnt it more coronation over power
@kristoflajber8236
Жыл бұрын
For me cutting is one of the three pillars of sword art, kihon/techniques, kumite/sparring, and cutting/tameshigiri, take any of them away, and that's no longer a martial art, just a sport, where you tweak you technique just to win. A small kendo style tap is insufficient to end the combat as an overswing is going to get you hit. For this, my favorte concept from Meyer, is fuhlen, when you make decision based on what do you feel on the blade. I have made contact wth the target -> follow up the cut, I made contact with his blade, and I have the upper hand -> react accordingly and so on. Also Sensei just prooved it when he accidentaly cut the mat, that you don't need to charge the cut as mutch, to be able to cut it, and still be able to keep on point.
@3nertia
Жыл бұрын
I always thought the mats were just to make sure that your blade was in proper working order ...
@vayalond7203
Ай бұрын
For me in my beginner and amateur without any real training opinion (so it's worth what it's worth: not a lot) mat cutting could still be a good exercise to learn how to maintain a good distance (cutting with the tip only require a good appreciation of distance and really knowing length of your own blade) and the allignement of your edge, rather than going to a full cut more practicing what you've learnt and having a real visual feedback about it
@Born_Stellar
Ай бұрын
you do learn edge alignment from listening to your swings, the sounds (tachi-kaze) the sword makes indicates if you are aligned or not. I've heard the distance argument a lot, but when I set up a bottle and perform a technique on it I am rarely at the wrong distance. I think people have a very good grip on distances and momentum from our past as hunters. For example most people can throw a ball exactly the right distance, or close enough to it, without practice.
@alexanderkstrauss9943
Жыл бұрын
The Truth❤ tell everyone 🎉
@M0rpheus_Awakens00
5 ай бұрын
Now what if im cutting through things using genjutsu techniques
@combogalis
11 ай бұрын
You say this now, but just wait until the rebellion of the mats.
@392redienhcs
9 ай бұрын
Historically, Tameshigiri was performed by the most skillful swordsmen to ensure that it was the sword's cutting ability that was being tested by minimizing the variables between one swordsman from another. These days, the opposite is true, in that they see Tameshigiri as a test of a swordsman's skill, regardless of the sword being used (which is why they sometimes 'cheat' and use a wider, thinner, heavier blade).
@chocomalk
Жыл бұрын
99.9K subs!
@springbloom5940
Жыл бұрын
Well, yeah. Lots of people are phenomenal shots, but they're not snipers. I mean, I wouldn't want them shooting at me, but I like my chances better against them, than a hunter. Or, you could charaterize it as a skill vs a craft.
@R3DSHlFT
Жыл бұрын
I see mat cutting as a way to practice edge alignment
@bengray5013
Жыл бұрын
Yes, it’s called hasuji
@johndont1273
11 ай бұрын
Much like shooting clay pigeons does not make you a sniper
@liammalarky3483
Жыл бұрын
We were taught that a sharp blade would cut to the bone, but there's no need to cut through the bone. It's a waste of time and energy, etc.
@stefthorman8548
Жыл бұрын
severing the muscle and tendons is more then enough to disable someone from fighting, cutting through the bone is overkill, especially when you need to make quick subsequent movements afterwards, and things will go awkward when your sword gets stuck on bone.
@jacobkindsvatter4055
7 ай бұрын
So basically, being a football (soccer) player does not mean your a good kick boxer
@1noduncle
Жыл бұрын
Real swords were tested on criminals... say ryujo how many vagabonds can your new sword chop through I've got a talent of silver says its 2 bodies...
@seranonable
Жыл бұрын
probably because a samurai's responsibilities consisted of more than hitting people with a sword, would be my guess
@shawnamiller191
Жыл бұрын
Anybody can buy a katana and cut a mat to make sure it's a sharp, doesn't mean they know what they're doing
@FAFSAOFFICIAL
Жыл бұрын
+1
@lordwilksy
Жыл бұрын
🗡️
@obssedwitmabass
10 ай бұрын
All this showed me is how LETHAL Seki sensei teachings really are.
@AlexM-oq5el
Жыл бұрын
This begs the question: how did bushi actually practice proper edge alignment? Do we know?
@AlexM-oq5el
Жыл бұрын
@@410cultivar I'm sure it would be something mastered at a very young age and considered rudimentary-likely not worth outlining in detail. Thanks for your thoughts!
@ecth97
Жыл бұрын
They would cut free standing bamboo and straw, which helped to specifically practice edge alignment
@atom8248
Жыл бұрын
@@AlexM-oq5el I'm sure edge alignment was trained, but just like in european fencing, superior footwork and timing is much more important to winning a fight.
@atom8248
Жыл бұрын
@@410cultivar Yes, a thick blade like the katana is very easy to cut with, it's one of the easiest swords to cut with.
@jakefrozt5
8 ай бұрын
I call myself samurai or ninja. Fast strong and stealing and speed
@jakefrozt5
8 ай бұрын
I mean no disrespect for Japan culture by any means cuz of the no white men in Japan i know. But hey, I'm good with a sword and I love the Samurai culture.
@Bevallalom
4 ай бұрын
Agree and disagree. Both methods should be practiced. That light cut with the tip of the katana would not make a scratch aganst a leather armour so its pointless even trying to cut that way unless I can hit a bodypart without any armour. Even a thick clothing could protect against that cut. So I say its situational. Just like the debate on how to hold your fist when punching.... a simple tamashigiri cut doesn't need to be too wide againt one piece of mat btw. (I'm doint battojutsu so I know the basics)
@НиколайГераксиев
Ай бұрын
why use a sword against armor?
@Born_Stellar
Ай бұрын
well I disagree that it wouldn't scratch leather armor, at least not if you are as skilled as seki sensei here. and that makes it a skill issue, not a training issue. The point I think they were making was that changing your technique to be able to cut more easily defeats the purpose of training kenjutsu. When you watch tamashigiri they are almost all using what I would kindly describe as 'questionable' technique. Yes it works, but if the result is you make yourself more open to attack, you'll probably lose, unless we start talking about reliance on armor, and thats just not the style of katanas. Where as if you use proper technique, but your attack fails, you will still be able to defend or dodge to attack again. if your matt cutting technique fails, you'll be dead. many of the iaido forms practice attacks the miss the opponent but have follow up attacks or defense.
@Eri587
Жыл бұрын
5:42 With all due respect but doesn't this part proves this wrong 7:57. I mean obviously a bigger swing does have more power but leaves you vulnerable but earlier seki sensei accidentally cuts the mat without swinging all the way through and he had the blade in the same pose he used for the cut with the tip proving you don't need any effort to get a clean cut. I get that the purpose of that move is to cut just enough and stay at a safe distance but in your video where seki sensei says that you shouldn't cross your wrist and the explanations here make it sound like you can only cut a mat clean by swinging all the way through and you can't do kenjutsu techniques properly if you try to get a clean cut when the timestamps above show you can. Im sorry if anything im saying sound rude, i don't mean any disrespect but just like you said that mat cutters have the misconception that only cutting mats you will learn good swormanship wich i agree with you that is not correct, i feel like you two are also giving a wrong idea that mat cutting makes you worse at kenjutsu, maybe the way that is practiced at battodo does make you worse at kenjutsu but seki sensei accidentally cut the mat without any swing and i don't know maybe be is just that incredible but if you can cut like that,it shouldn't that show that you don't need to do it the battodo style (wrist crossed, swing all the way through) to get the cut. I feel like a more fair statement would be that mat cutting and getting a clean cut isn't necessary as shown i the video with the tip cuts, but saying that mat cutting is bad for your skills sounds maybe a bit misleading.
@williamchristy9463
Жыл бұрын
So basically, in summary: Mat cutting is bad for martial arts because the only skill required for mat cutting is cutting. It doesn't take into account ability to maintain a guard *while* doing that cutting; or slicing, or stabbing, which are both important to the proper use of a sword (with a focus on slicing in this case, due to the tradition of the art studied)-- All of which dramatically change the mechanics of movement, and can lead to the development of a form dedicated to mat cutting, rather than a form dedicated to sword combat, unless you warily guard against that. It's like the difference between being an axeman, and a lumberjack.
@MtRevDr
Жыл бұрын
A lumberjack is an axeman. A maker of axes is not automatically a lumberjack.
@williamchristy9463
Жыл бұрын
@@MtRevDr Who mentioned any thing about making axes? An axeman as in someone who fights with an axe.
@killerkraut9179
Жыл бұрын
i think the first one can be improved threw the right training!
@williamchristy9463
Жыл бұрын
@@killerkraut9179 All of it can be improved through proper training, but the proper training to improve these things isn't simply cutting mats.
@killerkraut9179
Жыл бұрын
@@williamchristy9463 but maybe cutting mats in a Martial proper way!
@IPLayedVR42Long
Жыл бұрын
I'm so glad Seki Sensei covered this. I've been telling the students I've taught for years that "Cutting through an object doesn't make you a better fighter. It makes you a Parlor Chef with a bigger knife". Combat, and cutting a mat are both completely different experiences. And I always made a point to express that in our kata. Thank you Seki Sensei for another fantastic lession!
@luca88bucciarelli
Жыл бұрын
indeed, it is a warfare not a kitchen..
@BasedR0nin
9 ай бұрын
Lmao what “students”
@stevenmael
8 ай бұрын
@@BasedR0nin You do realize there are plenty of instructors and black belts of different Ryu-ha that watch these videos, all with their own dojos and students, right?
@Snow4LifeNEver
3 ай бұрын
Perhaps mat cutting should be taught differently. If one can't cut the mat without compensating with bad kenjutsu form, then they are not ready for mat cutting.
@VictorLonmo
Жыл бұрын
Great video Shogo! I am always impressed with Seki Sensei. His movements are so fluid and his description of technique is simple and direct. Mastery of an art is all about mastering the basics... I remember watching a video on your channel about things you did not like about iaido, specifically the arrogance you perceived from some of your previous instructors. It seems to me that you have found the right people to practice with now. Congrats on that.
@ianbrass9251
Жыл бұрын
I've been saying that for the longest time! Tameshigiri is ment to be a test for the blade not the sword prowess of the wielder.
@ambulocetusnatans
Жыл бұрын
Yup, that's what my teacher always said. Back in that school, the only time we did cutting was when somebody got a new sword. And that was more of a special occasion back before mass-produced Katana.
@MrNajibrazak
Жыл бұрын
when some learnt a little, they choose to be fools when truths requires just a bit more effort in learning.
@talmonclear7502
Жыл бұрын
I love how excited Seki Sensei is to explain the philosophy and techniques of the Ryuha. Just seeing his passion for the subject draws me deeply into what he's teaching
@RTSun-lx7ee
Жыл бұрын
The most amazing thing is Seiki Sensei's slash almost focus on the cut itself so much that inertia making the divided upper cut stay where it is. And inspecting his shoulder telling me that he didn't even push very hard...
@MultiFreak107
Жыл бұрын
Having practiced sport fencing before I continued with historical european fencing I see this issue as very prevalent in many technical applications. Many fencers do big round cuts, because it is the only way to properly test cut with a straight sword. In sport fencing you generally expand towards the opponent and also avoid loosing the threat to the opponent with the tip. I found that there are clear indications in the historical manuscripts, that this is also the correct technique for "real" fencing. Thank you very much for this clear presentation of the differences between test cutting and fencing.
@johncartwright8154
Жыл бұрын
Indeed one of the biggest obstacles to teaching new fencers was the necessity to keep the point in line, and only small moves were required to complete a successful parry.
@kristoflajber8236
Жыл бұрын
Yet most of HEMA coming from sport fencing are quite often just hitting with the flat of the sword, and trying to touch you whatever you do against them, even if they could land a flat touch on the gloves, while getting smacked in the head. Pretty annoying tbh. And it's getting more common with fighting in a paste and right of way being introduced to tournaments.
@johncartwright8154
Жыл бұрын
@@kristoflajber8236 thank you for your answer. Interesting what you write about 'right of way'. I fenced Epee (no R-of-R and all the body being legit target) mainly because in tournaments I got fed up with the gamesmanship and arguing about legitimacy of hits due to 'right of way'. Particularly sabre which wasn't electrified at the time and therefore most of the bouts were taken up with arguing, rants, and what is now known as 'rage quitting' as speed of rallies developed and it was difficult to preside and judge accurately. However, the argument in favour of 'R-of-R is that if someone was attacking you with a live you will make sure you defend yourself with a parry, stop or time hit to prevent injury. I don't know much about HEMA, but I consider that 'right of way' may stop fights descending into an undisciplined and pointless brawl.
@kristoflajber8236
Жыл бұрын
@@johncartwright8154 well in theory that works like that, my experience is that the fighters will disregard the opponents sword and jump in suicidal situations, because he will get the point anyway. So lots of threats doesn't work. And this probably doesn't work, since the quality of contact is not valued, a tap on the gloves, with the flat of the sword is the same as getting a head cut with the edge. There's better ways to eliminate doubles and afterblows.
@MultiFreak107
Жыл бұрын
First of all you should know that most sport fencers do not know how to cut and slash. Most fencers learn foil and epee and have no idea about proper saber techniques. Second, in regards to proper fencing, there is to note, that you would get a point in foil and saber, if you attack correctly and your opponent doesn't take your blade before counter attacking. This ruling reflects historical description of Indes, which is usually accompanied with some blade work like versetzen or winden, when you are being attacked. So in both cases, sport fencing and Hema, the same result should be judged. However, this only applies for proper technique. If you consider "vor", you are also supposed to attack in a way, that hinders your opponent to get anything done like hitting your hands. @@kristoflajber8236
@linearparadox9409
Жыл бұрын
Very interesting! Also very rarely (if ever) discussed; the distinction between the two techniques. My respect and thanks to your Sensei for both sharing his knowledge with us, and for being willing to peel back a bit of the "mythos" surrounding katana combat to demonstrate the difference between martial art, and show/test cutting. And thank you to you, for translating and helping to bring such a thing to an audience that otherwise would not be able to share in this wisdom and cultural enlightenment!
@rfmerrill
10 ай бұрын
Bruce Lee famously put it very well: "Boards don't hit back"
@greywolfthecrows1188
Жыл бұрын
Appreciate the time and energy you put creating videos for us.
@sayanlaha3649
Жыл бұрын
Firstly, best wishes for tomorrow's ambitious space mission of Japan ‘Moon Sniper’. This was one of the most educational and eye-opening video. I'm from India and I can't have a Katana in my country, so I practice with my scale. Your videos are really inspiring me and I am thinking of making a wooden training Katana to test my skills... Arigatō Gozaimasu.
@TatraScrambler
Жыл бұрын
Just imagine that semi-cut mat is you're opponent's throat. You didn't make an overexagerrated (= telegraphed) huge swipe so your blade tip is immediately pointing at them right after the cut (zanshin) because you were able to quickly recover it. And you're enemy, having his carotid artery or/and jugular vein cut - is squirting blood like a geiser - he's literally walking dead and will be literally dead within a minute. You don't have to behead your opponent, de-limb them or even kill them to win the fight. What you do need, however - if you want to survive, is to be prepared to parry or do a follow-up cut in case you miss or something other goes wrong - but that's only possible if you're cutting like a kenjutsu-ka, not like a tameshigiri-ka.
@mostlychimp5715
10 ай бұрын
This is such a good video. In some European saber traditions cuts are delivered from the wrist only (or with as little elbow/shoulder motion as possible), but good luck finding a video of someone cutting even a water bottle with proper form on the internet; as soon as they feel like they'll be judged for a "weak" cut people will put their whole body into it.
@SkunkworksProps
7 ай бұрын
This was really interesting. I always appreciate Seki Sensei's respect for other approaches and disciplines as well.
@legendzero6755
Жыл бұрын
Very informative and rational explanation of the different between mat cutting and martial skills. Mat cutting is still very fun though!
@franka7691
8 ай бұрын
Thanks very much for explaining, Sensei. You make a lot of sense. I'm a U.S. Marine veteran. This is analogous to training for combat by only shooting in competition matches. They are not the same. Thanks for the translation and for posting this video, Shogo-san.
@nickregnier1
Жыл бұрын
An excellent video and it is great that you have highlighted this important point - retaining the Martial edge and its technique how it should be done and why is more important than mere cutting of the mats. I love watching your videos! Thank you for doing such a great job at it.
@alexanderportolov
Жыл бұрын
This is VERY a insightful. As a kendo-ka I wonder how/if this should inform my practice… There are all sorts of things in kendo as well that are a combination of carryover from tradition and form and practical use. They don’t always match up. Some people view it as a sport, some people view it as a martial art, and some people view it as like training to actually fight. It’s all and none of those. Also I really personally find it distasteful when someone dismisses a certain discipline just because it’s not necessarily the “original” thing. Yes iaido and kenjutsu and mat cutting and kendo and all those are going to use different techniques, they’re different skills and disciplines. I like how Seki Sensei has trained in kenjutsu, iaido, and mat cutting and differentiates them, appreciating the differences, not judging them.
@painlesskun3959
Жыл бұрын
"You shouldn't criticize something you have no experience with or cant do" speaks in a lot of dimensions for us people. Even in Martial arts you need to have experience before forming criticizing opinions.
@ambulocetusnatans
Жыл бұрын
The only time we ever did mat cutting at my old school was when the Sensei or one of the senior students got a new sword. This was many years before you could buy mass-produced budget Katana, so they were mostly Gendaito or remounted Gunto, so it was a bit of a special occasion.
@KateJohn2013England
Жыл бұрын
How cool is this😊👍Mat cutting looks fun! But thats why we love Asayama Ichiden Ryuha it's all about the reality of combat and it's even in their mat cutting practice. Master Seki has opened our eyes to really using a Katana 😊 Take care. Stay safe 🙏 John and Kate
@Nanashi_Kenshin
Жыл бұрын
Would it be possible for Seki sensei to show us how to properly hold the katana? I know styles differ, and I would like to know how he grips his. Like exactly how and where to put your hands on the tsuka. Thank you! Have a great day!
I think it's a common problem I've thought about: There are certain trainings we refer to as "martial arts" that actually are not meant for fighting. There's just not really a word in the English language for it, and I guess it's the same for Japan.
@Fish-ub3wn
10 ай бұрын
Thank You very much. the video changed my view on tatami practice cutting comletely. now i know ow to cut right, been practicioning Iaido. Thank You Sensei. i always felt tatami cutting is off, teaches bad habits and leaves You open but it was my instinctive impression and i thought i may be wrong becouse nobody else pointed it out. Thank You again, That was my most important lesson in Iaido
@letsasksekisensei
9 ай бұрын
We are very glad you say so!
@FromAgonyToLight
25 күн бұрын
Well this just blew my mind. Cutting a static object isn’t martial arts, ESPECIALLY if our technique is adjusted to cut the mat better.
@kriena4190
9 ай бұрын
I guess yeah. In boxing It's like training "bad technique" using massive wild swings at a punching bag because it looks cooler when the bag is swinging everywhere instead of training more fast, less telegraphed strikes.
@berniemorales9072
9 ай бұрын
Mats don't hit back
@nightraid7
Жыл бұрын
Great skills 🔥🖤✌🏻
@deathsicon
Жыл бұрын
Truly a master, even when he attempts to fail on purpose he's so good he fails to fail
@danielt8727
Жыл бұрын
His technique is on point, you can see how engrained in his muscle memory it all is
@docwhiskey996
Жыл бұрын
I thought a Lord retaining your services and you swearing loyalty made you Samurai. 😅 That being said Shogo and Seki Sensei's willingness to share glimpses into the techniques and history of Japanese warriors always makes my day and speaks to their dedication.
@23Disciple
Жыл бұрын
My basics are from Toyama ryu (original) Morinaga ha, and what i saw in this video is interesting. Exc. Sensei Kinji Nakagawa do katate do/suihei giri (horizontal cut) on bamboo/tatami with clean cut and still stops kissaki towards to the opponent, just like Isao Machi (Shushin ryu). We all follow rule that tip of the blade shoud direct on opponent after cut. I need this side of battojutsu analyze more.
@seekertosecrets
Жыл бұрын
This is fascinating. I didn't even know that using this weapon is more focused on just cutting with the tip of the sword. I thought that you had to use the entire blade!
@Trevor0713
10 ай бұрын
I think this is a very common concept among all the martial arts, either with weapon or not. You should preserve the capability to response with your opponent's movement, not just going all out, in most of the cases. Thanks for Seki sensei's explanation and demostration.
@JGtheone01
Ай бұрын
I'm sure a Master like Seki Sensei telling KZitem watchers that they are just playing samurai by cutting mats and not actually anywhere close to being on par with a true kenjustu (swordsmen) is going to ruffle some feathers but a person who cannot take correction as a way of improving and instead takes offense to it has already lost the battle of life.
@Born_Stellar
Ай бұрын
I keep getting shown RVA katana videos, and it irks me how they just pull the sword out of the saya. It feels almost disrespectful. I guess they are just like the sword testers of ancient japan who weren't actually samurai.
@warrennass24
Жыл бұрын
Hi Seki Sensei and Shogo, great video, I think test cutting is important to ones training in our organisation we don't just do kenjutsu and iaijutsu we also do test cutting. It helps us with our cutting technique. You both know that iaidoka struggle to cut anything when they attempt to cut a target. In addition to the three elements above we also employ the principles of western sword arts. This gives us a well rounded and complete approach to swordsmanship. Please check out Hanshi Patrick McCarthy swordsmanship video where he also explains why does and teaches it that way. There are some errors during the demonstration but I hope you enjoy should you choose to watch it. Start the video from 12min 35seconds.
@Lorenzo_That_Vegan_Dad
Жыл бұрын
That was very informative and an awesome display of techniques. I'm a disabled US Marine veteran and would love to practice another discipline. I feel it would help mentally and physically. The katana has always been my favorite weapon, and the feudal Japan Era was always most interesting to me. I love the architecture and apparel. How do I begin my journey in practicing Tameshigiri?
@beansnrice321
3 ай бұрын
I spent 4 years practicing AIkido and was working in a kitchen at the same time. I would argue that I learned half of what I learned about AIkido in that kitchen. This was because I learned how to properly use a knife and I also learned that AIkido used cutting techniques but without a blade. Now, I'm an American and I presume that my Aikido dojo wasn't likely to mention things such as actual cutting practice but I never woudl have seen the link between aikido and cutting if I had not done cooking and Aikido at the same time for so long. Let me be more specific. A cut is purely applied friction. A cut does not need to be focused like how a blade cuts. For example, a river can cut a valley out of a mountain over many years. I could, "cut," my way through a wooden table using enough sandpaper. A blade focuses a cut, which makes it more efficient and quick but a blade is not required to cut. All that is required is constant application of friction. A real cut should feel like a match being struck against a match box. You should be dragging the blade along your target, even if done quickly and cleanly the friction itself is what is doing the cutting. Aikido too requires friction to work. Many aikido techniques bleed and steel momentum from their opponents by making contact with their opponent and letting their opponent move the Aikidoka with their own momentum. Think of it like one gear moving another gear. It is precisely this subtle control of friction that gives an Aikidoa control over the fight. An Aikidoka uses subtle friction to slow down an opponent just like how breaks use friction to slow down and gain control of a vehicle. Proper Aikido technique is like slowing to a comfortable stop. However Aikido done more quickly can look like a person slamming on the breaks. So while I'll 100% agree that learning how to cut is just that, I do believe that not knowing how to cut will prevent a student from ever getting past introductory levels of technique.
@andrewaaberg482
9 ай бұрын
I always thought mat cutting was a part of training as an Eastern style swordsman, Seki Sensei's breakdown makes perfect sense though! Great video, thank you!
I still find Tameshigiri to be important for learning and keeping proper edge alignment with cuts. Many people who do not practice it, don't know how to get good edge alignment and power with their swings. Seki Sensei already mastered the fundamentals, so it is no concern for them. But most beginners or less experienced people myself included, saw we did quite a few things wrong from practicing the mat cutting. Such as scooping with the cuts, or having a flat angle which prevents proper edge alignment through the whole cut etc. It is important to correct those kind of mistakes I think, which is easier to see and correct when you have the mat which gives good feedback to how your technique looks.
@letsasksekisensei
Жыл бұрын
That’s right! That’s why we do train it in our dojo too!
@syunikiss666
Жыл бұрын
Yesss
@azarelthecreator7098
6 ай бұрын
Man i wish i could attend weekly classes. I love his teaching style. Ive always thought it would be more effective to cut as hes shown with the tip. Im sure once someone takes one slice they arent going to want another.
Пікірлер: 303