Zato-ichi Style lightning fast Flash Cut in 3 simple steps!

[@kiritsuna]

I think people misunderstand something. This isn't meant to be effective technique, it's meant to explain you how to make one of those flashy samurai movies cuts. AND I LOVE IT

[@y.wirasmoyo]

Little cut to forehead. Then blood came out, because its super sharp. It is not for deep cut like movie

[@Pdor_figlio_di_Kmer]

Of course it isn't an effective technique. The finger play would take away way too much cutting power to the slash no matter how sharp the blade is. It's simply for-the-sake-of-the-movie katana juggling. Cool-looking, but with no real battlefield use.

[@jpugh3076]

I came to the comments looking for this deffinatly dosnt look like there would be enough leverage on the sword to cut deep so i doubt it would kill

[@skynethasbecomeselfaware8120]

@@Pdor_figlio_di_Kmer depends on the opponent ...this slash would work perfectly against a street thug ...not against someone with training ...of course not ...if u watch the Zato-ichi movies he usually takes out untrained thugs very easy ...but against highly trained Samurai's or Ninja's he struggles and barely makes it out alive

[@saigotheanimator1098]

@@Pdor_figlio_di_Kmer oh no so I couldn't use it in a sword battle

[@barryharrell3355]

I've been doing this draw/cut for thirty years and must say that you did a very good job explaining it. Good for you sir. Now try this for fun, draw and spin it, but swing it to the right side of your body, continue the motion and do a figure eight back to the put-away position. That is how Zato-ichi's (Katsu Shintaro) real life brother (Tomohiro Watanabe) puts his sword away (he played the Lone Wolf in the Lone Wolf and Cub movie - AKA "Samurai Assassin", made in 1965. I think he was even better than Shintaro with a sword. Anyway, thanks for the video, you did a really good job with this. Oh, and it works with Sai's too!

[@misterkami2]

Thank you for that tip; it makes it easier to hold on to the tsuka during the spin to reversed grip and it also adds a chiburi-like motion. I'm not sure how safe using these techniques would be outside of the movies, but it's certainly fun to practise them

[@watchreport]

@@misterkami2 outside of movies or practicing with it for fun, where else would you be using your sword? Lol

[@misterkami2]

@@watchreport What I meant is that iaido / iaijutsu techniques are fun to practise and they can have added benefits such as improved concentration, coordination, speed, distancing, reading an opponent, etc. which are benefits that might even help in a self defense situation. So in practise/training is exactly where you might be using those techniques.. but it's also where I mentioned I was not sure how safe this particular technique would be to apply, especially when training with a partner. Within movies however, just about anything can be made possible or made to seem like a viable or safe technique.

[@based_prophet]

I must say you been wasting ur education

[@peterkinberger9741]

@@based_prophet No doubt you have wasted yours, therefore you speak from experience ! Confuscious say " One who wastes education, is wasted himself ! Bible say " Waste not, want not " , Sun Tsu say, " Waste your opponent, not your education ! ". School teacher say " Haste makes waste , " .

[@dredge0345]

"Oh actually this is not that hard lemme..." *Rips my arm off*

[@snowy_sphinx]

Sounds like you need to sharpen your sword

[@q8_hyper_869]

Ah ….

[@Kenkaneki-gb9ue]

@@q8_hyper_869 ah yes I “ripped my arm off”

[@q8_hyper_869]

@@Kenkaneki-gb9ue you too 👁👄👁 ?

[@Kenkaneki-gb9ue]

@@q8_hyper_869 yes

[@TheRealBDouble]

As someone who's studied Historical European Martial arts for almost 20 years, specifically Italian, Spanish and German fencing along with some Persian sabre, I greatly appreciate this.

[@dimaswirawan4528]

Instruction unclear: accidentaly learnt Judgement Cut End

[@davidthor4405]

Damn I hate when that happens

[@Graymeyne]

When you are extremely *MOTIVATED* to learn this.

[@kamenxxx9037]

Ah, rookie mistake. I think you hold triangle a bit too long mate 😂😂😂😂😂

[@phosphophynix479]

I AM THE STORM THAT IS APPROOOOOACHING

[@predetor911]

Mooore power…

[@notfeedynotlazy]

My wife (blind, medieval swordfighter, _and_ Zatoichi fan) will LOVE this

[@philipholman1713]

I can see this going wrong in several ways. Only the master makes it looks easy

[@juliansanderson839]

You’re training with a weapon designed to split people in half. No shit it’s dangerous

[@juliogutierrez5039]

Habit is a process which makes repetition the mother of learning. You can do this not your first day but with practice your creat habit (aka muscle memory) then with repetition it becomes a part of you. A Shinai is how your should start so that the worse that can happen you get slapped in the face by bamboo.

[@KaelisRa81]

Can see that...what is with that spinning motion if you actually hit your target? The blade will be slowed or even stopped touching flesh or bone.

[@addictedtochocolate920]

@@KaelisRa81 I think this is just meant as a demonstration of a very cool looking move, not an actual technique that would work in combat. He didn't ever claim it was effective though, so there's that

[@KaelisRa81]

@@addictedtochocolate920 and it is indeed very cool looking. He does it flawlessly.

[@sethjbaker143]

Brilliant!! Loved all of the old Zatoichi movies, he was such an iconic character, and the sword play in the films was so fantastically choreographed. This broke down his movements perfectly. Your talent is absolutely stellar, sir!

[@hirayaman246]

Finally, someone who knows how to draw a sword. Most honoured.

[@dockilat5576]

@@true1330 why put this reply in a samurai topic video? Go spread your ideas somewhere.. why did ISIS do those things they did? Because they just obeyed. End of discussion no explanation can excuse what they did.

[@addictedtochocolate920]

You wouldn't actually draw a sword like this in a real sword fight, although i understand the chances of something like that happening are practically nonexistent today. Your best bet against a sudden attack from an opponent who also has a sword, is to draw yours by performing a *wider* cut upwards as you stand (aplies more force to the cut and it positions the blade in front of you to defend against upcoming afterblows). But, most importantly, *keep the damn sword out of its scabbard;* you don't know how the opponent will react, and if he dodges or doesn't instantly fall after your first attack, you must be ready to defend yourself. Remember: in Medieval Europe and feudal Japan people used these weapons to protect themselves and survive, not just for fun or to look cool.

[@hirayaman246]

@@addictedtochocolate920 A man who draws sword like this, knows how to draw it in any situations including when it matters. Too much talk, less facts.

[@addictedtochocolate920]

@@hirayaman246 want any facts? You can study actual historical sources, HEMA, Kenjutsu, etc., and you will see that this isn't anything more than a fancy move. It is quite entertaining, it requires practice, but it isn't indicative of any real experience in armed combat or historical fencing. This is the equivalent to spinning a revolver: it doesn't mean you actually know how to use the gun effectively. I'm not saying this man doesn't know how to use a sword or how to draw it in a risk situation neither; I'm just saying you wouldn't use this "technique" in real armed combat, for anyone who thinks this is what actual Samurais did deserves a small disclaimer to avoid misconceptions. Want to know what Samurais actually did? There's a few channels out there like The Metatron, who can also teach you about Feudal Japan culture, social structure, weaponry, and many other subjects based on historical treatises. This isn't meant as an attack towards anyone. Just trying to inform.

[@hirayaman246]

@@addictedtochocolate920 You assume wrong that you know about this, just like you assume you know who you're talking to.

[@PartTimeJedi]

I just watched the episode in which he cut the coin in the gambling parlor with this technique, I even slowed the video down to try and figure out how he did it! THANKS this is awesome!

[@vinnyvincent2862]

Many Thanks Son ! . The illusion of Removing the Sheath From The Sword I Would Never Have Figured Out in A Million Years ! And I've Been Watching Zatoichi Movies For Half A Century ! . 🙏

[@stereooerets8619]

Glad to see the culture of the Samurai still being celebrated and taught today! I was once a student years ago in my youth that studied the arts and the way. I wish I would have continued. Thank you for sharing!

[@cheif10thumbs]

Many MANY many slow repetitions until muscle memory is acquired and the technique becomes effortless. Or until the blood loss becomes too much and you pass out....... ;) That was really fun to watch sensei!

[@maxlovebalance6741]

"Zatouchi" is the Best film about swordsmanship. And your work is aloso great !!!

[@roowanmadokkusu1411]

I learned the spin sheath and the flash cut today . I had to take a break on both since my skin on my fingers is basically peeling off from how much I was doing it . Very educational video , learned fast , loved it .

[@Isnogood12]

If you keep doing the practice daily for a short time, even though it cauess a bit of discomfort, you'll soon have a little blister there, and when that pops from practice, the skin underneath will form a callus. Those sword-calluses are an easy way to determine who has practiced a lot with a sword and oftentimes can tell if they practice in a proper way. When I was practicing more actively a few years ago, they really made it easier to do.

[@Karda_Nava]

Love it! I remember trying to get this move down a few years ago for weeks, just by watching the classic movie of him doing it, & remember trying to figure out how or what exactly he was doing (I’ve been training with katana & shirasaya’s for almost 15 years now) & I knew that’s how he was doing it after a while (exactly how you showed it’s done), but had trouble keeping it fluent and very fast at first, until I realized to pull the sheath itself back completely (just as you said) rather than the blade being pulled out more than the sheath was being pulled back. I remember how excited I was to show my family and friends when I finally got it down pact, & mastered it entirely! Lol it was one of my favorite skills I learned, especially quick draw skills. Still to this day, it’s one of my favorite (that and the reverse down & over version, if you know what I mean) to this very day, & one of my go too moves I’ll do to show people that wanna see my blade skills, & it’s a perfect move (very simple, yet super wicked looking to others) for when you wanna show off a little and impress people lol😅👌🏻✌🏻.. it never fails to amaze. Even though I can do a litany of other draws that are far more complex, this one is always the one that impresses the most haha.

[@MrSedrack]

Show cut tests! I want to see how much cutting power it generates on target!

[@GTRNights]

This cut isn't intended to deliver cutting power. That should be more than obvious.

[@dicksonerex2900]

@@GTRNights then what is it for?

[@KickyFut]

@@dicksonerex2900 Speed slash, I guess. Only 3 fingers and thumb delivering the spin, and you're pulling away the scabbard instead of pushing against it... It won't take a limb off, but it could cut down to the bone if the sword is really sharp!😅

[@neronah7349]

@@KickyFut Or going for soft vitals, like the arteries on the side of the neck or an eye slash

[@見義]

@@KickyFut In the demo, the cut is a vertical "shomen" type. In a more applied scenario, I would modify it to a slightly diagonal "yokomen" type cut to the neck. This would take out the carotid nicely. The cut does not need to be deep and would encounter little resistance from the neck muscles.

[@robertorser8011]

That's the coolest thing I've ever seen thank you for slowing down and showing the technical side.

[@jaketheasianguy3307]

Guys, get a bokken or a non steel iaito when doing this. Please don't mess around with shinken

[@doortofreedom5832]

I wonder how many weebs really think it's that easy

[@gordonlekfors2708]

nah. get a proper European sword.

[@jaketheasianguy3307]

@@gordonlekfors2708 Never do the japanese style of putting the sword away with European swords, even with single edge blades like Messer or the Sabre, it will end really bad. Learned from experience :)

[@josephbates7967]

Imma do it with a razor sharp nodachi

[@zzodysseuszz]

@@josephbates7967 lmao a massive nodachi

[@viking-norge115]

Amazing speed for " Nuki , kiri and noto !..." .... a master level .... congratulations !

[@Neutral_1zed]

“Pft, it’s just like twirling a branch” *Head found later ^*

[@METAL-ADDICT]

I saw my first Zatoichi film in 81. I was HOOKED. Awesome vid.

[@waynebyerly9681]

While at the tender age of 68, I'm afraid I must admit that I shall never be able to come to the point of even being able to attempt to attain your skill. But I also must admit to a great degree of admiration of your ever so ​wonderful ability. Your dexterity and your speed are almost unbelievable. If I had not seen it for myself I would not have believed it even possible for a human being to attain such speed. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for making this video that I might be able to see for myself that such speed be humanly possible.

[@tatfly5779]

Dunno footage seems sped up to me since the motions dont mach up eh wish I could see irl though(.

[@blkbass1958]

Zato-ichi movies were our favorites as young men in the 70's.

[@Gunter_Severloh]

Zatoichi holds his sword with a reverse grip most of the time though, more especially when he fights. Only time he holds his sword in a forward grip is when he does demonstrations depending.

[@SupaGut2001]

:0 Its Zzzatoichi!!

[@fernandosulantay]

@@true1330 okay, an advice, i understand that your priority is learn about religion and all that, but if you gonna use scientific bases, please inform yourself first, i do not read it completly, but your misinformation at least in matters of biology (my specialty) is obvious, i mean, ¿The human body is perfect? No way xD. We are full of dumb mistakes that exist just because they can, like or blindspot do to our foto receptors bend inside instead of being straight, or having the genes to produce all of our aminoácid but being the only mammal that have to consume them from outside because the genes doesnt work on us (that is the reason your dog doesnt have to eat vitamin c and you do). So, finally, dont speak like "that is your tough and your tough is wrong" at least if you want people to listen to you, the only way to truly understand others is not calling them dumb or wrong, is accepting that you have the exact same chance as them to be wrong, and just share your experience/knowledge instead of preach it

[@doctorgorgomel]

@@true1330 Zatoichi > Allah

[@ExtremelyOnlineGuy]

@@doctorgorgomel hell yeah man. AMERIC- I mean JAPAN

[@doctorgorgomel]

@@ExtremelyOnlineGuy i don't really get it, but have fun nonetheless! :)

[@helpdeskjnp]

Finally!! I’ve found the channel I’ve been wanting since the internet was born! Awesome video sir!

[@KhadijahJoySams93]

Thank you. Zatoichi is a truly great series.

[@wolfflamekindl9339]

Same as the spin sheath, just combining the attack draw with it. Interesting and very well done on adding on to the techniques you've already developed! That's how I know you're born for mastery. Edit: and then you go and explain the spin sheath at the end. Lol

[@MsLhuntMartinez79]

Never mess with anyone who wears loose pants. They're either Samurai or a 90s gang member😂 This was AMAZING 💙

[@JainaSoloB312]

Fantastic video! Performed this technique successfully before the video ended thanks to your simple and clear instructions💜

[@seemslegit6203]

I was gonna write a really detailed, extended comment about this but honestly, all i can say is... *holy fuck*

[@yiotatornadortheodoropoulo8706]

Yup Nippon all the way my friend!!!

[@theyrealltaken3]

That is the coolest thing I've ever seen! Love you videos!!

[@claud1961]

OK, I'm hooked and subscribed. Who doesn't want to look like Zato-ichi?

[@lolegaia]

He just cut the air!! now the breathing technique can't no longer be used!!! brilliant!!

[@andredfreitas6909]

Wow! That movement is impressive!!!😳🤯🤯🤯👍👍👍👍👏👏👏👏👏

[@henker69]

by far the coolest thing i've ever seen

[@georgehunter2813]

Thank you for your concise breakdown of the fast sword draw.

[@osonhouston]

Zatoichi is one of my favorite fictional character in any genre.

[@JimmyGeniusEllis]

It’s a real samurai! And he’s making videos explaining his samurai ways! He never says the sentence “I am a samurai” because he doesn’t need to. His actions and deep explanations speak for him. I’ve seen like two of these videos and I have now Liked. Commented. And Subscribed. I see you only have a couple thousand subscribers. Don’t fret and keep making videos like this and you’ll be at a million subscribers one day. This is really good content.

[@yiotatornadortheodoropoulo8706]

Good eye Jimmy..can see through the smile ....

[@donoberloh]

Nice post but there is no I am a Samurai. Would it not be “I am Samurai. .? …

[@fredEVOIX]

I've watched all the movies in order and while at 1st he looks like a sympathetic "swindler" it quickly becomes a sad curse where everywhere he goes death follows like some kind of warrior hell he can't escape, again super cool to see the technics explained even for a non practicioner thank you

[@Byzantios1]

Ace. The actor who played Zatoichi was the same who played Oshi Samurai: Tommy Wakayama. He was a master at this technique. In Oshi Samurai he also performed multiple spins in the reverse direction. He could even do them over head. Do you know the technique for this sequence?

[@zad7768]

I know Tommy Wakayama from the Lonewolf and Cub series, but never saw him pay Zatoichi. Shintaro Katsu and Takeshi Kitano are the only actors I've seen to portray him.

[@jarrodhill9149]

@@zad7768 Wolf and Cub was dope 🤙

[@rizzoconiglieri6250]

Wakayama never played Zatoichi. It was his brother Shintaro Katsu.

[@hikari67]

Rudger Hauer is my Zatoichi x)

[@Byzantios1]

@@hikari67 roy batty...he has seen things you wouldn't believe

[@RobertThomassilenticon]

I've been looking for something like this for awhile, amazing.

[@sonofaredshirt8329]

Shintaro Katsu is Legend! Very nice breakdown, great work! Liked and subscribed!

[@metalgeniusjoe5602]

I must have watched that whole Blind Zatoichi tv series like 4 times. This is a great video.

[@nitinmore623]

When I see your video I realized that Zatoichi the blind swordman was real.

[@stephanenurchi3901]

Thanks for this video , do not hesitate to post others on your channel - it's always a pleasure

[@c.galindo9639]

Nice. Handheld weapons are always interesting to me and how samurai swords were executed really is like art. A deadly weapon that can have quick and precise execution in the most capable of hands. Great video

[@DEATH-THE-GOAT]

I think I've found my new favorite channel

[@alexeireyes3683]

I'm really a fan of how direct to the point your videos are. This is another awesome one! I could never figure out how Zatoichi did that flash cut. Keep it up! 👏👍😎

[@JamezGrimm]

I have every single Zatoichi movie. This is such a cool thing to see :D

[@Dramaj91]

You're skilled and also funny 👍🙂 That was cool, homie!

[@kev-larscuba2323]

Instantly subscribed Awesome channel ! Domo Arigato !

[@we6w]

Seen everything and loved the entire series and 20 movies. Thank you for the draw technique breakdown. ==Hokuto Shinken

[@culturedbrother]

20 movies of Zatoichi (i assume you are talking about that)? You sure?

[@desmondnel5706]

The way the dude brings the saya back when drawing and forward when resheathing is legit.

[@wespao7379]

Great series of videos. Thank you.

[@JamesEscobar]

Ok I have no choice but to subscribe after seeing something that amazing! Just in awe!

[@kissao23]

wow! thank you so much!

[@samahell9488]

I love this move by the time i have see that in zatoichi movie . So great and cool !

[@samuelsastra1694]

SHESSHHH, IT'S LOOK 🔥🔥🔥. Its even make me one handed man

[@Martiano-bp5kq]

My upmost respect and admiration for what you just thought us!!!

[@chrismarusic4277]

Thats cool I've been practicing that move about 2 weeks now. Another year I might get it.

[@covingtoncreek]

Used to watch these (Zato) back in the day in a DC movie theater. English subtitles. My Dad and I were some of the only Caucasians there. Good stuff.

[@ATWStudios]

Hone to perfection: Thunder Breathing First Form: Thunderclap and Flash!

[@80Jay71]

I've been practicing this for quite a while now. Today I realized that Ichi always use the backhand technique. That makes the move much easier. Turn the saya so the edge face down. Adjust your grip on the tsuka and draw like normal. No need for dangling between fingers.. He does cut from bottom up. Just a straight cut and noto.

[@vaccinefraud5570]

I've been wondering about that. What I have read about drawing was that if the opponent ever has their weapon above their waist or head your draw/cut will always defeat it because they are undefended below.

[@Garrett.1111]

Respect. I clicked on this expecting to be unimpressed. I stand very corrected.

[@Stoffer5500]

lucky

[@B-leafer]

Dude!! That is AMAZING!

[@Henbot]

As someone who had a marathon of classic Zatoichi this looked so nice. Wonder who came up with this for the movies

[@number6223]

This has inspired me to make an instructional video on my very rare, super slow Sloth Cut technique!

[@That_Guy_Izzy]

I really hope the next video is how to stop this bleeding

[@ernie548]

That was good. :) Zatoichi is a mythical character played by an actor. This guy was pretty real enough though.

[@GosokuRyuYodan]

Zatoichi uses "Gyaku giri' or reverse cut. I refer to Shinataro Katsu. He grabs the sword palm up and cuts reversely. You can see the grip when Zatoichi is preparing to draw. The same technique is taught to Christopher Lambert in "The Hunted" by my Master, Takayuki Kubota, who plays the old man in the movie. Study that, and you will understand this technique. I have practiced the sword kata "Gyaku Giri," and I am familiar with this technique. This dude is off in the ozone...

[@spawnneverland5334]

Wow he is your master? He played that role super awesome. I love that movie. Such epic samurai vs ninja.

[@edwardfletcher7790]

A fascinating and beautiful movement...

[@ApoLevy]

You'll see this in Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning. Sorry, spoiler😅 Very nice sir, that was really fast🔥

[@keshsans536]

▶️

[@d4thetesor778]

Yes! @ 17:20 😅

[@slhgrow7683]

Big Fan of Ichi - I enjoyed your explanation of steps. Keep it up... I just Subscribed....smiles

[@hlonghi]

Instructions not clear, now I have a cheap amazon Katana stuck on the ceiling. 10/10 will try to chop my own head again.

[@JeffReeves]

Not going to lie, that looks really awesome

[@DevInvest]

One always should acknowledge Ichi -sama with a pleasant “Konichiwa”when passing on the road,,, Seems bad things happen when people on the roads get behind him and make sudden moves..

[@livyintheskywithdragons]

woooooooow this was SO COOL!!!! 🥰🥰

[@mr.voidout4739]

I've been practicing this with a polypropylene katana and sheathe for years. I've got the koiguchi down and everything. But I'd never risk it with a real blade lol.

[@martinkukumberg1908]

His cut IS had not Power.

[@itzpicayune8157]

@@martinkukumberg1908 even with no power, speed can deliver an awful mark. Look at it like this. Grab a kitchen knife and use nothing but brute force to slice a carrot, then use speed as fast as you can. A half inch cut more from a pretty fast weak swing will have in for a rude awakening. The avg joe won't feel anything for a bit besides a little bee sting, but after awhile, the avg will feel the pain and be a bit staggered to the simple weak slash that had pretty much nothing but speed. Let alone, a sharp edged katana is different from a double edged sword. Now in a battle against evenly skilled swordsmen, the technique will be awful. But let's be honest, the vast majority of these comments (including you and me) aren't skilled at all.

[@martinkukumberg1908]

@@itzpicayune8157 Yes,thats right.Now I understand.Sorry,but I have one question:what You thinking about FLANKYROVKA.( excercise with saber in Eastern Europe ). IS IT only for show,may use for real fight or not?

[@unrussleablejimmies4428]

You can get a dull iaito for practice I'm over made from an aluminum alloy and are actually pretty light it's still kind of resemble the look and feel of a real katana

[@raidoung4100]

This guy is just pure gold xD diamond, sapphires xD

[@xanderwilliams8400]

You should be the Stunt double for Jin Sakai when the movie comes 👌🤣

[@hobowithawaterpistol9070]

Very nice control! Thank you for showing this!

[@theMyouknow]

Haha im actually going through all the Zatoichi movies right now, im on the Zatoichi and the Chess expert atm.

[@nicholasr82]

Thank you for the video's. They are very good at demonstrating techniques in your teaching step by step methods. Could you one day explain the different methods of shaking the blood off the blade. I've seen at least three don't know if there are more. Thank you.

[@danielcooke3732]

Keep at "half-draw" Turn Saya at angle as you draw Draw across body Step out with opposite leg at same time as draw

[@Howlett9999]

Thank you so much, my grandma never saw it coming

[@yiotatornadortheodoropoulo8706]

Man dont give ideas to married men about their wifes mothers hahahah

[@MichaelSpeck-l3k]

I purchased a Zatoichi ichi cane sword and am learning his techniques thank you for the info and brakedoen good dem keep them coming

[@ghastlynavigator]

Fantastic explanation! Looks really smooth and beautiful! Thank you for this video. Subscribed immediately 🙏

[@쿨쩍이]

That is excellent sword skills iai Amazing so much Thanks 😊

[@sergiosabas1084]

Hi, I have a question about this method. What happens when the sword strikes something as hard as uke's body using this method? I understand that Japanese swords are really sharp and I certainly know that Japanese sword masters do achieve a high level of skill through years of practice. In this unsheathe method you are striking something hard right about the moment you are reaching the end of the movement with just one hand. Doesn't the sword bounce when you are striking? I have no experience at all with Japanese swordsmanship so I don't really know about this. I'm not saying that uke would not go unharmed after receiving a hit, he probably will and would definitely be not so well, though I'm not sure if such a strike would be powerful enough to be lethal and I think that after such a hit it would be difficult to continue having a firm hold of the sword and it will be hard to keep the movement flowing smoothly enough to sheath the sword again that quickly. Please be advised that I'm making this question respectfully and do not mean to demerit the effectiveness of the techniques of any practitioner of Japanese Iaido or any other related art. I am in fact interested and attracted to Japanese martial arts. It's just that from my particular point of view. Flashy movements like this while they look nice and elegant (that's why this is an art) might not be as effective (at least I think not always). Thank you for your kind response. Sergio

[@aw2031zap]

I am pretty sure if you did this technique in a mat cutting competition it would be unlikely to accomplish much of anything. One-handed cuts are done regularly, but it seems like all of the cutting power is from the spin which is purely aesthetic. Cuts generally require the use of your body weight at the very least to pull off cleanly. I am not an iaido person but I think a lot of iaido is for sharpening the mind and not necessarily about cutting anything. Some iaido techniques are obviously practical, but this one I think it's just for show. I would be shocked if you could cut a mat of any real thickness using this technique.

[@codysykes5568]

So just from my own experience, what appears to be "hitting something hard" and cutting through something, like in batto-do/batto-jutsu, or iai-do/iai-jutsu, you aren't actually "chopping" an object. The nihonto (japanese sword) is curved in such a way that augments its cutting ability. If you watch carefully a demonstration of mat cutting you'll notice the posture of the swordsman changes in relation to different stages of the cut and that there's a slight pulling motion with proper technique. Because of this, you're using the curve of the blade to actually _slide_ through something instead of a chopping motion like an axe. Having said that, the goal is to slide the blade through an object and use as much of the edge as possible (this is kind of over-generalizing but just for the sake of explanation) to reduce the impact like you were talking about hitting something. This facilitates fast, fluid movement to optimize the cut and minimize impact vibration. Further, the way katana are made using two different kinds of steel (or more) allow the blade to flexible *and* strong. In the case of a flash cut like demonstrated in the video, the goal is to cut somewhere very soft like the side of the neck, inside of leg, the belly, etc.

[@kingasher415]

WoW. I love it. Please keep making more vids.

[@GVBiggs524]

I have a WW 2 issue Katana, forged in 1943. It's not a light blade to be slinging around like that, and with one miscalculation in your movement, you can end up hurting yourself badly. A genuine Japanese Katana is wickedly sharp and it will not forgive you for mishandling it.

[@brunovanhove1832]

Optisch mooi die beweging, en goed uitgelegd! Bedankt.

[@daniellopezeverest]

Very cool thank you for sharing! :-) I actually a blind swordsman can you please describe the moment you were doing and more detail in this video are you using a regular Katana or is that Oishi style katana? Are you using the reverse grip or a regular grip to draw the sword? And can you please explain the here there this and that lol :-) thank you awesome video! :-) by the way this wasn't my suggestion videos and I just subscribed! :-) sorry I am using speech to text so any words that might seem wrong or at a place are incorrect

[@georgecarlin2879]

Wow! Thanks! I'm a HUGE Zatoichi fan!

[@dimitiandoss]

How effectively can this draw cut? I'd like to see it in action.

[@omnilight_xl6324]

my thoughts exactly. I already see a myriad of ways to doge, defend, counter and even repel the move. I don't see it anything more than a FLASHY move that is just to impress the eye.

[@Rakerong]

@@omnilight_xl6324 There are times in MMA where someone tries a wildly flashy move that connects and actually knocks the opponent out. Sometimes, luck and unpredictability work in your favor. This move might catch someone, sometime, completely off guard. Most times, I'm sure it's useless lol.

[@omnilight_xl6324]

@@Rakerong can't say no to that :)

[@avocedo975]

@@Rakerong yeah the elements of surprise play important role, but even with that, many factor gonna make it useless most of time, but its freaking cool

[@finnishfatman]

I think the sword used here isn't actually steel one. Might be some light weight polished aluminium practice sword 🤔 I'd like to see this done with actual steel sword (being of course heavier).

[@brianscott5153]

Phenomenal breakdown.

[@JoseL285]

Gracias por mostrar la técnica. Muestra mas técnicas.

[@itzpicayune8157]

I tried this is in sword fight against my friend and parried his attack. I felt like the mc at that moment. What made it better is that I took a deep breath, looked at the ground and used his shadow to know when to get a badass action movie parry.

[@Siedlerdeo]

Thank you oh so wise master, now I will know how to "quickly" draw and swing my sword, I dont know how I would ever have figgured this out without your briliant guidance