Tameshigiri 試し切り Testing A New Japanese Sword

Tameshigiri 試し切り is the martial art of testing the blade of a new Japanese sword. No longer performed on condemned criminals, tameshigiri is now shown on the top layer of a soaked tatami mat placed over bamboo. This simulates human flesh and bone. This demonstration was performed at the Okuizumo Tatara Sword Museum in Shimane Prefecture, south west Japan.