Here's another clip of one of my cutting sessions. I am using a MAS Sunflower Katana and a Paul Chen Practical Wakizashi.

Feel free to critique, just don't be too harsh, my tender disposition couldn't handle it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZ5-mZQo1vQ

Thanks

Dude, I'm not going to a cutting competition with you, EVER!!!

I think you cut 10X better than me.

Brian:

. Thanks for the compliment.

Nice job, Tom.

The biggest difference I noticed between your style of cutting and that which we're taught is that we're taught to assume lower stances, primarily sodo-se and tedo-se. We're expected to drop our stances progressively the lower we cut on a pole.

I found the third segment of the video clip very interesting, the one where you had the other gentleman hold the pole for you. I had made some experimental bamboo holders that held poles at such angles as to allow the cutter to use either a vertical cut or a horizontal cut, but they didn't work (they wouldn't allow for the poles to be cut successfully). At the same time, though, I've had people hold poles for me at the same angle so that I could execute a straight cut and it worked fine. I'm still baffled about why the one mounting method worked while the other wouldn't when the same angle of approach was used.

Master Gihm: I've seen you cut. You're modest to a fault.

Casey:

Although I have been training for a while, I am still learning and am far from perfect. I consider myself proficient with room for lots of improvement. I tend to bend too much but there really aren't any low stances perse in Goshindo. For legs cuts, there is the tendency to make a longer/wider stance but it is only for a moment, not a taught stance such a chudan kamae (chundan chasae).

The 12:00 to 6:00 cut is a strange one. Since the bamboo has to be at an angle, I rarely see this cut for tameshigiri (begi) demonstrations. If you read the book Shinkendo Tameshigiri by Mr. Obata Toshishiro, you will see great pictures of him executing this cut along with many others. When I went to train with one of my instructors in AZ, we decided to attempt horizontal cuts on dry bamboo. Incredibly, I was successful on a 1.5" diameter pole. I was using a MAS Sunflower.

BTW, I absolutely agree with you concerning Master Gihm. He is being far too kind in his compliment Perhaps he was facetious. In that case... !

Thanks

In regards to my comment about stances used in cutting, I chalked it up to differences in style, certainly not quality of performance. I hope you didn't take it that way.

How was it that you made horizontal cuts on bamboo? Did your partner hold the pole or were you able to mount it in some sort of base at the desired angle? The experimental holder I made was about 2 1/2 feet high and held the pole at an angle of 35-40 degrees. It worked a little better than the holder I had made for vertical cuts, but not by much.

Casey:

I cut horizontally on a vertical pole! That's why I thought that was pretty good. Most likely the bamboo was thin-walled, but it felt good anyway.

Also, I did not take any of your comments in a condescending way. I was just explaining that I know I need more improvement. Actually, I welcome all critique. It's the only way I will learn.

Thanks

That's truly impressive, Tom. I was told years ago that such cut was all but impossible and I accepted it as fact. I made such a cut myself, but it was on a pole that was only a few weeks old and, therefore, very soft with a high water content. I could crush it with my hand, so it didn't count as far as I'm concerned. Nonetheless, kudos to you!

In the video clip I also noticed you made cuts from the draw. I take it that's typical for your style? I don't see that often in HDGD.

Casey:

Thanks for the kudos.

Batto do typically does incorporate cutting from the draw. I am not very good at it but I'm getting better. Up to down cuts are obviously easier than down to up. I usually have to rear up the blade to get enough momentum to make a successful for the down to up.

Again, thanks