Tameshigiri Guinness World Record - Senbongiri 千本斬り

[Wookiee81]

1000 kesa makes your arms burn but to actually cut, no failure allowed no hone or resharpen of the blade, in one 'sitting,' that's hardcore mode.

[Praleart]

@1:42, I can't tell if he missed a cut on the left side, or hit two targets. You can see a piece that isn't cut cleanly, lol. Impressive, nonetheless.

[Chiperdada]

not to be an ass, but I've sent plenty of kiriage cuts flying off the target, even while completing the cut. Its not about the target being incorrectly placed, it is often a result of how tight the mats are rolled. If the cut is good enough, and it has enough power at a great angle, I don't care how loose the mat is, the target wont come flying off. i'd put my money on the fact that he was just getting tired, which is very understandable. its a respectable record and a great show of endurance

[YajimaKenji]

Personally I dont like this kind of cutting, as it goes to much out of the center of your body, thus you lose balance. This is -my- oppinion, Im not saying this is bad, just the opposite.

[IshiYamaRyuSeattle]

@YajimaKenji

In theory I would agree that cutting too far outside the body could pull one off balance, however, I don't see how that is applicable to what is demonstrated in this video. I don't see any instance in which McCartney Sensei is off balance. IYR utilizes offline movements to move around targets by utilizing the momentum of the sword to redirect the body. In instances in which you want to remain centered, the hips can easily be used to maintain balance by redirecting the sword.

[YajimaKenji]

@IshiYamaRyuSeattle yes, and what you're saying is absolutely true, though, what I wrote was my personal oppinion based on a strike like that might get you offbalanced in a real fight. Now Im really awear that this isnt a real fight, it is a good way to practice cuts though. If McCartney is comfortable as hes doing, then there's absolutely no problems with it at all.

[IshiYamaRyuSeattle]

@YajimaKenji

I think we can agree that tameshigiri isn't meant to replicate combat. It is good for developing maai, cutting in the flow of movement, maintaining consistent hasuji, etc. Ultimately, it is a form of training for developing cutting ability, and cutting ability is just one subset of the skills that could benefit one in combat. If I ever get around to filming some kumitachi, then perhaps that would better express what our combative style looks like. thanks for your comments.

[MattKondrath]

5:06 was fuckin cool lol

[dambo29]

Amazing, but why the hell do this at a mall??? Holy crap, why not a beautiful park or a dojo... A mall? Representing American tradition with a Subway?

[IshiYamaRyuSeattle]

@dambo29

You are not the first one to notice the Subway, lol. To answer your question, the event was held during the Seattle Sakura Matsuri (Cherry Blossom Festival) which is held at Seattle Center. This is the venue that the organizers arranged to have this event featured. It was the only area at Sakura Matsuri which was large enough.

[KTSEROV2351]

that'suppose to be hard to cut thru bamboo and that mat, the blade alone won't do it, gotta have the technique

[maskedgunman]

Lol @ the classy Subway and Orange Julius in the background

[AlanMolstad]

Hi everyone!

I have a question about this video.

I have to ask if this video was taken at Seattle back in the 90s?

If so, then I was there, I was up on the 2nd floor watching.

I was just there to get something to eat when i saw all this stuff going on below.

[Feraydun]

Wow, this is like the best post I have read in like, 6 months

[AOEStrategist]

The worlds sharpest blades aren't made of metals. Obsidian that is cut under pressure chips to form edges 3 nanometers thick. that is .000000003meters thick, no human effort can craft a blade that sharp. They are commonly used in scalpels for heart and brain surgeries. I have some.

[Feraydun]

Can you send me one by mail? Please?

[dormetheus]

if it's a speed record, why not just do the same cut without dancing around targets? Is there some changeup rule?

[IshiYamaRyuSeattle]

@dormetheus

Senbongiri was originally intended to be performed from a kata-based approach in order to preserve the principles of Japanese swordsmanship. By performing from kata, each cut had intent and purpose, in this way it reflects swordsmanship. By just cutting the same cut over and over again as fast as you can just to beat a record, then all you are doing is cutting...that is not swordsmanship.

[IshiYamaRyuSeattle]

McCartney Sensei has said that this was a transformational experience that he learned a lot from because it was about swordsmanship and not just cutting. Others have confused this point and have actually done exactly what you proposed, and have just blazed through senbongiri as fast as they can. Yes, they did it faster, but what they are doing is just cutting. Plus they did not complete every cut, so McCartney Sensei is still the only one who has performed senbongiri without missing.

[tamachan691]

the challenge  requires to use technique as well as time. he needs to show a wide variety of moves and the way he approaches each target is also important. anyone can cut a bunch of shit relly quick but it takes skill to do it with all the restrictions set by this specific challenge.

[Minatan0]

did he really have to show off by using his left hand? xD

[carbonstrike]

is it easy or do they just make it look easy?

[NyappyNaomi]

They make it look easy :p

My teacher alway says that when people say it looks easy, your technic is good

[TomoeMichieru]

This is just too beautiful.

[Wrath0fKhan]

Pretty impressive. Very clean technique...

[Tibly]

Ohhh shiit look at 1:37... good control.. any one ever slide the bamboo thin like sliding cucumber ? I wanna learn how to slide 10 times at one stick.

[trav1971]

magnificent ,who made his blade!!!???!!!

[IshiYamaRyuSeattle]

The blade is a Word War II era gendaito forged by Kanehide who was among the greatest Japanese swordsmiths of the mid-20th century.

[trav1971]

thanks for the info,not too many blades that quality around, at least not affordable ones.I have a Thaitsuki Nihonto but its not as nice as that one.i have never seen a Kanehide in person.Thanks

[ABANAKAKABASANAPLAQ]

No matter how sharp a katana is, a one handed Blade is still faster

[bellben]

no matter how fast a one handed blade is, a two handed blade is more powerful.

[furtifjh]

Everything's quite good, except the fact he's not very fast in moves (even if he's fast in cuts). Consider the tens of targets as real ennemies. He would be touched easily coz of slowness. If there was a fear or any other pressure factor, his speed would be doubled. But 1k cuts are a pain for your arms when you come to the 100 last. The worst part of the video is the last seconds, from the salute, which seems artificial. And yet, even if i criticized much, i added your video to my favorites list

[JesusFuckingChrist84]

If they were real targets, actual people, you'd expect he'd display different techniques & he'd have to move because his life depended on it.

What people don't understand is, he is surrounded by tens of targets as you said, he'd have no chance of winning a fight against 1181 people to begin with.

Comments like that are truly asinine, I apologize if I am being rude, but you have to understand that these targets are not living, breathing people.He'd adjust otherwise if his life counted on it.

[GreatestEnemy32]

Furthermore he was pacing himself. The whole exhibition lasted nearly an hour and a half. Most sword fights last only a few seconds before someone is cut. Considering the length of time and the number of targets, I'd say he moved rather quickly.

[TheWitnesserer]

It's doubtful he would pick a fight with 1181 people to begin with unless he's trying to commit suicide.

[kentayagyuu]

Mr.furtfjh

You should notice what he cuts. It is not a slender bamboo which is used in Chinese or Korean cutting contest or cutting show. If you consider the tens of target as real enemies,the best way is to run and run to escape. This is only a cutting contest how many times can a man cut. I believe he did a greate job.

[bigbudhacheese]

How fast does a blade like that go dull?

[ProjectDarkStar]

A Real Katana? It depends on the usage, heavy usage on a master sharpened katana cutting through bone and flesh i would say thousands of strikes as demonstrated with the Senbongiri if not tens of thousands

[atvonz]

weeks or months if sharpened by a master

[DorianTC]

That depends on how well it is made but if you have a good one it will never go dull, but naturally there are millions of cheap made ones which, if they even have a proper edge, will go dull quite fast

[maggot6460]

a real katana can go dull in as little as 7 strikes (we're talking removing limb sharp though) thats why you dont block wiht the blade and why you try to end fights in one blow

[KcImport32]

if forged right a real Katana will never need to be sharpened

[AlanMolstad]

@KcImport32

Well,,,Im sure forging the steel is important.

But the truth is , that the question of how often the sword will need attention will be open and really up to the care it receives,...

You drop a sword and you can harm the edge and it will need to be sharpened.,,,Thats why they teach us to hang on with the thumb when we bow...

[kenpachi316]

ive said it before god knows how many times.... but....

THIS IS ONE OF, IF NOT THE BEST, PERFORMANCE ON YOUTUBE.

i would love to see the whole thing.

(love that tsunami ito ;)

[kazekention]

btw for people who dont know katanas are much havyer than they look

[IshiYamaRyuSeattle]

That is true. Most weight between 2-3lbs...it is a common misconception that a katana is light and a European long sword is heavy; in fact not only do they weigh about the same but they are balanced similarly as well. Also, the perceptual weight varies depending on the position of the point of balance. If the POB is closer to the tip, it will feel much heavier than one with the POB closer to the handle.

[kazekention]

ty for the info what i like most about it you wasnt being a ass about it hey if my katana blade says china on it does it mean its was made in china are is the steel just from china i got it from flea martket

[IshiYamaRyuSeattle]

Difficult to say. A lot of swords are being manufactured in China, so I would assume that both the steel was from China and it was manufactured in China. However, I would not recommend using it for cutting or training unless it has been inspected by a knowledgable person. There are a number of factors that could make it dangerous to train with: metal fatigue, stress fractures, poor construction, cheap steel, etc. Hope that helps.

[MeleeCommando]

I would like to know what katana did he use?

[IshiYamaRyuSeattle]

He used a WWII era gendaito made by Kanehide (one of the more famous smiths of the 20th century).

[MeleeCommando]

Thankyou very much for your reply.

[nculafi]

imagine this guy angry

[rupertacdc]

awesome

[mmonnerat]

well i will eventually do this record with 2 swords... xD

[jimmyshep]

that looks like fun

[kenpachi316]

every single time i watch this video i am in awe.

this is the most stylish senbongiri by far.

100% epic

thankyou.

[VideoDaggit]

that's pretty amazing..he looks like he's cutting a very large stick of butter

[HigherWisdom]

Amazing. The one handed cuts were stunning. The man moves with cat like reflexes.

[mik3y421]

Awesome video! and outstanding display of skill! absolutely superb!

on another note, where did you find this music? i have to get my hands on a cd pronto. im a DnB drummer as well as martial artist...

[IshiYamaRyuSeattle]

Thanks for your comments. Back when I used to DJ, I did a few shows alongside KJ Sawka who is a great DnB drummer. The background music is actually a mashup I made of two tracks: Photek - Ni Ten Ichi Ryu (dnb) and Kodo - Yamauta (flute). So this is the only place you'll be able to find this song. If your tech savy you can dl this video, and then strip the audio off into a seperate mp3 file.

[mik3y421]

very cool, i ripped it.

[kenpachi316]

absolutely epic.

5 star perfect video!!!

thankyou!

[037kondo]

If a common person held a katana and tried to cut one of those rolls, would it be impossible, or really hard?

[sirkickassalot123]

To just cut it? its not really hard. I think everyone would do it on the first try by just swinging the sword. A good, straight, clean and controlled cut, probably impossible.

[babymegatron]

Most people can cut those shoots real nicely not a problem for the first few swings, but it gets tiring after awhile. Not to mention cutting for a good 15 minutes non-stop swinging more than 100 cuts. Then you have the single hand. Then the hardest is using the opposite hand that you write with to cut. His sword probably cost $4000 to $5000, which makes it a whole lot easier to cut compare to the $1000 ones lol. But if your left and right can cut equally good then you know you're a MaStA~ =P

[rurouniyamabushi]

how about bamboo tameshigiri?

[danl9rm]

WoW @ 3:23...

[jiiAlii]

realy nice..

[Peekingduck]

Impressive.

The single handed (left handed) cuts are brilliant.

Thanks

[IshiYamaRyuSeattle]

Thank you for the comment.

I have always loved that portion of this clip as well. I've actually been trying to track down a video from a few years back when McCarney Sensei was demonstrating our nito technique. In those clips he is simultaneously cutting two targets at once(one with the katana in his right hand and one with the wakizashi in his left hand) as part of our "engaging multiple opponents at once" curriculum. That blew my mind when I had first seen it.

[Peekingduck]

That sounds very very interesting...

If you should come a cross it I would really love if you could upload it, providing it doesn't conflict with any of Mr McCarney's wishes.

Be well and thanks again.

[IshiYamaRyuSeattle]

I'm currently trying to contact the organizer of the event we performed at to find out if they still have the video on file. I'll shoot you a message if I'm able to get the video online.

[Peekingduck]

Wow... That would be SOOO great.

Mr McCaarney's skills blew me away.

He must be very skilled. The ease that he performs

his cuts with are remarkable. A rare treat.

Thanks.

[halonine]

3:23, one of the most beautiful cuts i've seen imo

[elusivetantra]

very,very impresive

[Nosferatum1066]

He would make a good harvester ...getting the crops in no time ...hehehe !

[NinjaNO2]

true, lol

[Ashurasonic2Jesterex]

Dude... was this performed in Seattle?

[IshiYamaRyuSeattle]

Yes, it was performed at the Cherry Blossom Festival at Seattle Center in 2000.

[comerea1]

y he go to hospital did i miss somehitn or just to many cuts and hard on body?

[IshiYamaRyuSeattle]

I believe his hospitalization was mainly do to the physical stress exerted on the body (particularly joints, tendons, and muscles); he was not injured. Cutting 1100 times is quite a bit different than performing 1100 swings when you take into consideration the resistance exerted by the targets. Also, I believe he was 45 when he did this, so age played a role in it as well.

[TheWitnesserer]

45? That's one middle-aged man I'd never pick a fight with. His movement is just beautiful and the solemnity with which he performs his strikes is superb.

[p00kietanuki]

The left handed cutting he does always blows me away every time I see it.

[Hyoujinsama]

Not only are these great cuts, he knows his own body very well. The flow he achieves through his sweeping and connecting movements saves a lot of energy.

Even so, though...didn't they send him to the hospital afterwards to be checked for exhaustion and severe muscular fatigue? I probably would have been there after the first forty minutes. Lol.

[p00kietanuki]

Yes, he did have to go to the hospital afterwards.

Connected movements, cutting to multiple targets in multiple directions in the flow of movement is one of the trademarks of Ishi Yama Ryu and as far as I know, is not seen in any other style to this extent.

[chrantheman]

it almost looked like he did it in slowmotion (no offence)

[wolf87410]

Well, I am royaly impressed! I hope to one day reach that level of skill with a such a beautiful sword. In fact, i'm inspired.

[JesusFuckingChrist84]

I've been meaning to ask, was this entire performance(Entire performance, i.e 1 hour 25 min) recorded? If so, I'd like to see it in full, I caught myself watching this video about 15 times, so that equates to about 1 hour and 25 minutes anyways.

[IshiYamaRyuSeattle]

Yes actually a full video does exist, in fact I spliced this footage together from that video itself. It is copyrighted so I'm not sure whether or not I can get permission to post the entire video, but I'll look into. It used to be available online, but I believe the web store where it was available is down right now.

[JesusFuckingChrist84]

If you can get the whole thing, I'd be most grateful! Not like a 15 year old has anyhing better to do,heh.

If it is possible to point me towards a site where I can download it or put it on youtube, then great.

Regards

Sal

[towsehouse]

Thank you for posting this video. I find that completing the 1024 quality cuts in my nito happo giri kata is very difficult, and I am only cutting air. This is very impressive.

[TheMasterTonberry]

i also, think some of his angles are a big off, but thats just me being picky. Look up Toshishiro Obata, for cutting expertise. He won so many cutting championships in a row in japan, he was asked to stop coming.

[IshiYamaRyuSeattle]

Obata Sensei was McCartney Sensei's first instructor before Obata Sensei founded Shinkendo (back when he was still teaching Toyama Ryu).

As for cut angles, I'm not sure what you consider a proper cut angle, could you provide an example from this clip that you consider "off"? Please note that this performance was judged by several martial artists, including an instructor from Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu, and they didn't consider any of the cuts to be off.

[TheMasterTonberry]

Like I said, I was being picky.

Obata is still the highest ranked in Toyama Ryu in the USA, and I believe he teaches Toyama Ryu somewhat inside/alongside Shinkendo.

If he trained with Obata, then my hat goes off to him.

[IshiYamaRyuSeattle]

Also, I hope my remarks are not coming across as condescending or rude. I enjoy open and civil discussion, especially from other budoka. If you have any other questions or comments, feel free to send me a message.

[TheMasterTonberry]

i honestly feel that any highly skilled swordsman(katana of course) can go for a long time without "missing." upping the difficulty. aka, get some bamboo. and lets hope the sword he is using is a sword that can withstand numerous amounts of bamboo. a lot of jokers out there make super thin and sharp katanas so they can look "awesome" at cutting tatami.

[IshiYamaRyuSeattle]

You bring up a very good point. I'll try to address this as best I can within the limited space that youtube provides for making comments...

The blade that you see McCartney Sensei using for this challenge is a World War II-era gendaito forged by Kanehide (one of the great sword makers of the mid 20th century), which is, in fact, the same blade he uses for bamboo cutting. I hope that addresses your issue satisfactorily.

[kalorful]

how do you miss stationary targets?

[IshiYamaRyuSeattle]

A "miss", or more specifically a "missed attempt" is defined as: a cut that does not pass completely through the target, having a cut angle that is too steep or to flat (depending on the cut), a cut that intersects with a previous cut, knocking the target stand over, or missing the target.

Given this criteria, and taking into consideration that the targets are roughly the density of a human arm, even skilled individuals have difficulty performing 30 consecutive cuts without a missed attempt.

[noobrradish]

Wasnt it a miss at 3:38 cutting the white horizontal line?

[IshiYamaRyuSeattle]

To answer your question: considering that the cut made it through the target at the appropriate angle and since the target stand did not fall over it was not considered a miss.

My understanding is that the targets were rolled much tighter than normal, which was supposed to prevent the assistants from spiking the targets incorrectly. However, this made cutting yoko giri more risky since the added resistance across the horizontal line increased the probability that the stand could fall over.

[nargaroth85]

what's the name of the song, I love dnb

[IshiYamaRyuSeattle]

There are two tracks that are playing simultaneously. The DnB track is:

Photek - Niten Ichi Ryu

[musiv]

whats the name of the other song ;)

[nargaroth85]

sick, I've seen photek spin live... but yeah what IS the other track haha

[IshiYamaRyuSeattle]

Actually, the Guinness webpage has only a very limited number of records listed. In fact, it only lists 3 records in the entire "Martial Arts" category. I wish there was a more comprehensive list of all records.

I believe the most mats cut in a single strike is 23 by Bruce Baldwin (note: this was with an o'dachi and not a katana).

The fastest 4 cuts on a single target was done in under 1 second.

I'm not aware of any others, however.

[davjohns1]

The Guinness site does not recognize a record in tameshigiri, sword cutting or senbongiri. Can anyone tell me where to find the Guinness records in this field? Thanks.

[JesusFuckingChrist84]

Incredible...just amazing...

[qeslah]

Outstanding. This is Russel at his best and it was an amazing accomplishment.

Don

LA, CA