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

One of the most iconic moves in classic samurai cinema is this Zato-ichi's flash cut. Whether you know the much loved antihero or not, this move will grab your attention if you're interested in flashy sword action.
I can not post any clips from the original movies due to the copyright policy in Japan. And as an industry professional, I strongly recommend you to either purchase or rent the movies, but I know that it's not the most realistic option for a lot of us.
Below are a couple of links to Zatoich's flash cut scene on KZbin
Zatoichi fight scene compilation
• 勝新太郎座頭市
Zatoichi slicing a coin in midair
• Video
I hope this furthers your interest in Samurai movies/animes/games and/or culture!

[@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

[@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…

[@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 , " .

[@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.

[@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.

[@Roisome]

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

[@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.

[@instanttherapy]

I started Kyokushin karate in '68, the summer before I started high school. My instructors quickly became my friends and they took me to all the Zatoichi movies in Los Angeles. The theatres were the Kokusai, the Toho Labrea and the Linda Lee. Eventually, all 3 either went out of business or became adult theaters. But not before I saw every movie of his. Now his movies are on KZbin for free. Thank you modern technology. I earned 4 black belts but never got comfortable with the sword or bokken. Thanks for this training video.

[@infamouspigvr]

damn bro your old

[@keeledover4218]

I learned of kyokushin karate from a heroic kickboxer who used a rolling thunder kick on a punk in a boxing match, being also a student of the haihokadensho at a young age with bokken and doing taekwando made me interested, martial arts young. Im interested in kyokushin ryu and want to be a student

[@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

[@psykoweaz]

@@doortofreedom5832 tried it with a bokken, took me a whole day to figure it out and i have to do it in slow motion lol is pretty fucking tricky XD

[@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

[@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.

[@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!!!

[@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! :)

[@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!

[@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! 👏👍😎

[@georgehunter2813]

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

[@ghastlynavigator]

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

[@robertorser8011]

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

[@johnemmons9087]

Been watching your spin videos many times. I hope you will be doing more! Really awesome stuff!

[@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

[@user-mb1zb6iu5j]

@@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.

[@khadijahjoysams6172]

Thank you. Zatoichi is a truly great series.

[@Tigerbythetoe]

Very cool technique! You did a great job explaining how it’s done properly. Thank you!

[@helpdeskjnp]

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

[@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 ! . 🙏

[@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

[@MsLhuntMartinez79]

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

[@phluffymuffin7924]

Very fun tips and tricks to practice at home! Thank you for these videos!

[@JelloFluoride]

I want to go watch Zato Ichi challenged again now. I haven't seen the other films but I need to. Thank you for this video!

[@sonofaredshirt8329]

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

[@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!

[@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.

[@M03dRKWd]

Dude that was amazing! Please do more zatoichi movesets!

[@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

[@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

[@That_Guy_Izzy]

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

[@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?

[@JamesEscobar]

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

[@RobertThomassilenticon]

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

[@wespao7379]

Great series of videos. Thank you.

[@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!

[@trashbanditsora]

This is super cool thank you for sharing this, I was able to master it very quickly thanks to your tips 💜

[@brianfoley4328]

Great video, lots of flash and fun...explained clearly and demonstrated well...well done Sir, well done indeed.

[@chrismarusic4277]

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

[@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 !!!

[@METAL-ADDICT]

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

[@andredfreitas6909]

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

[@claud1961]

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

[@slhgrow7683]

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

[@theyrealltaken3]

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

[@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

[@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(.

[@hobowithawaterpistol9070]

Very nice control! Thank you for showing this!

[@viking-norge115]

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

[@Dramaj91]

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

[@samuelsastra1694]

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

[@jayh6227]

That was dope. srsly it was dope ASF. ty sensei.

[@mehrshadmsv9828]

Beautiful, Thanks for demonstration 🙏🏻☺️

[@kissao23]

wow! thank you so much!

[@PostPatriot1978]

The action is easy, the mastery will take approximately how long? 😁 This was a great tutorial! Thanks!

[@metalgeniusjoe5602]

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

[@grimm2085]

Great video, excellent instruction, thank you for breaking it down, thank you for sharing your knowledge, God Bless

[@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

[@Garrett.1111]

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

[@Stoffer5500]

lucky

[@B-leafer]

Dude!! That is AMAZING!

[@JamezGrimm]

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

[@Henbot]

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

[@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. .? …

[@samahell9488]

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

[@henker69]

by far the coolest thing i've ever seen

[@ATWStudios]

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

[@kdevamorana]

Subscribed in second after see first 20 second of this clip. Even more happier that u use very good english to describe. Thank you.

[@rietzhu]

Sadly however, you're English desperately calls out for proper, education and instruction... The Irony.

[@VenomOusss]

thank you so much, your content is amazing and help me so much!

[@georgecarlin2879]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@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

[@vinceedwards3978]

Dude, that is amazing!!!

[@rietzhu]

Perfect draw 👌

[@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..

[@guayard]

Its awesome!

[@edwardfletcher7790]

A fascinating and beautiful movement...

[@xanderwilliams8400]

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

[@ApoLevy]

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

[@keshsans536]

▶️

[@d4thetesor778]

Yes! @ 17:20 😅

[@DEATH-THE-GOAT]

I think I've found my new favorite channel

[@kev-larscuba2323]

Instantly subscribed Awesome channel ! Domo Arigato !

[@jinxthegreat6533]

Impressive,in this video only thing faster then his sword is my confusion of how did I get here. 🤔🤔 it was cool 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.

[@number6223]

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

[@simply_sara_69]

Thank you, that's beautifully laid out

[@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.

[@theMyouknow]

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

[@user-ni3vu2tw5i]

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

[@solaraura512]

really informative and easy to follow through thanks for the video

[@WeAreBikeScouts]

This is awesome, but if I try to do this myself I'll probably chop my face off. Haha! I love watching an expert doing it, though!

[@andrij3078]

And fingers flying everywhere 🤣

[@WeAreBikeScouts]

@@andrij3078 True, haha! That's a scene that deserves to be in a Zatoichi movie. Speaking of which, I hope Japan makes another Zatoichi movie soon!

[@pentultimatearsehole9190]

Pretty and flashy, but how much force can be produced from that type of cut? Movies are movies sadly. They rely on the visually stunning as opposed to the down and dirty

[@MrAkiragod]

Katana are really sharp and that move is aimed at neck... Maybe i am just saying based on the info i got from animes lol.

[@lalogolf1000]

The speed creates the power. Together with a real sharp blade you could easily chop an arm off. I have seen a skinny female Iai-Do master cutting through a large sized piece of bamboo one handed with just a flip of the wrist.

[@blkbass1958]

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

[@Martiano-bp5kq]

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