Examples of cutting targets
Pruning exercises with fruit
Fruits are a popular cutting target because they are cheap and usually soft. This means they are also suitable for beginners. Bananas, lemons and melons are popular because they are easy to cut.
With citrus fruit, it is particularly important to wipe the blade with a damp cloth immediately after cutting, then dry it and finally clean the blade. Otherwise the fruit acid will attack the steel.
Tameshigiri with PET bottles
Plastic bottles and canisters are particularly popular with beginners because the containers can be filled with liquid and therefore become heavier.
A heavy cutting target does not simply slip away if the cut is not clean. That's why you see these targets very often on YouTube.
Katana cutting exercises with Tatami Omote
Tatami omote are the most common target. The mats made of rice straw are often used in Japanese interior design, which is probably why they were converted into a cutting target because there was enough material available.
The mats are soaked for approx. 12 hours and then dried for approx. 2 hours. They then have a good consistency and a suitable weight for cutting.
They are well suited because they are hard enough to give feedback on whether the cut was good. After the cut, you can also judge whether the cut was clean based on the cutting pattern.
At the same time, they are soft enough to prevent the blade from breaking in the event of an unsuccessful cut.
The mats are available in our shop for approx. 10 euros each. You can make about 4 to 5 cuts on one mat. When else can you destroy something for so little money?
Cutting tests with bamboo
Bamboo, or more precisely young bamboo, is one of the advanced cutting targets. It is harder than tatami mats, so it is important to use a sword that is suitable for cutting bamboo.
With the right sword and the right technique, you can cut 3 - 5 shoots with one cut.
We offer young bamboo seasonally. If you are looking for bamboo shoots for tameshigiri for yourself or your martial arts group, you are welcome to contact us.
The right holder for cutting targets
The correct holder protects your own health and the condition of your sword.
Holders for fruit
With fruit, it always depends on the shape of the fruit; round fruit should be placed on a ring or cylinder to prevent it from rolling away.
Depending on the fruit, you have to think about a customised holder.
If possible, mounts or surfaces made of stone or metal should never be used.
You have to assume that you will sometimes miss the target. With these materials, the blade would then be damaged.
Holders for PET bottles
Plastic bottles can simply be placed on a flat surface.
Stone or metal surfaces should never be used if possible.
You have to assume that you will sometimes miss the target. With these materials, the blade would then be damaged.
Stand for Tatami Omote
There are extra matching stands for Tatami Omote.
These Tameshigiri stands have a wooden peg to hold the mats. A metal peg should never be used! You cannot see the peg when the mat is placed on the stand. If you make a mistake and hit the peg, you will cut the wooden peg while a metal peg will destroy the blade.
Stand for bamboo shoots
Bamboo shoots are usually simply tied to the side of the holder for tatami omote mats. Therefore, there is no special holder for this cutting target.
Video about cutting tests with bamboo:
