Nakamura Sensei Tameshigiri

[vitalislaci]

Excellent skill!

[svipal]

Yes he has good skill. But remember that he practiced this by cutting helpless asians during ww2. He tied them up and cut them like he did in this clip. Disgusting.

[IEKUKATAKA]

Never seen a no to like that, he must use a lot of saiya. Some of these older batto practitioners actually did a lot of cutting during WWII. Japan actually had a group in China that killed by cutting in order to further develop modern knowledge of the technique.

[ForDizzyAndMe]

So....efficient!

[qaj321]

No wasted movement or energy. Thanks for posting this.

[gnoynix1]

Sometime a mat, sometime the air.

[aqx770]

I met Nakamura San about 1984 when he was in Seattle. At that time he was about 80. He was a completely delightful and pleasant man, about 5'4" and maybe 140 pounds.

He had a wonderful smile, which once he drew his sword, completely dissapeared. When the blade came out he became a completely different human being. Anyone, gun or not, within up to 10 feet of him would not have a prayer.

By they way, I'm a Nanadan ( 7th degree ) in karate so I think I know what I was looking at.

[adam140104]

haik sensei....

[uker23]

Splendid! Awesome! Thanx for posting something authentic and beautiful.

[adolchristin1200]

1:48-1:51 hear that blade whistle through the air!

[jbhooyah]

He's so tiny, he reminds me of yoda. Great display.

[kamezodo1]

sugoi desune!

[yomatostanyahso]

The best! This looks like it was done on a TV show for a demonstration, this had to be early 1950's judging from the film quality.

[shikamaru15x]

it looks like he's with closed eyes...NICE!

[merayfu]

this is madness!!

[mattbodomtully]

madness? THIS IS SPARTA!

[GeneralHanSolo]

Wow, 1:25 !!!

[MathewJoki]

This man is a OG killa!

[KingScar06]

It's scary how fast he sheathes it; his hand probably has a lot of scars.

[sk8wise12]

yeah man. when you see a real swordsmans hands you're excpecting scars but it's still a shock.

[mattbodomtully]

i was just thinking that, i wonder how he does it!

[Revan9729]

That move is called "noto" and it's really not that difficult to do.

[tuchitochi]

it is hey ? he can put the sword back in/out the sheath so fast and so easily. from a smooth, effortless movement, he turns on the power and chops his enemy..or whoever...in half.

[UnclePutte]

That was immensely intimidating. I have no idea how or why, but that was still one of the most frightening item of recorded material I've come across in my life.

[CITIBANCO]

Have you here about past lives restimulation! well it is something that happen in a previous life that it is always with us in our subconscious mind and awakes when something similar happen allover again.

[jertzybolofsky]

Hey C_wolf this is awesome .Thanks mate .I couldn't help but laugh at the carnage Sensei behind. Cheers

[fishstoneqqq]

AWESOME!!! How old is this video?

[mattboijap555]

Superb sword skills.

[stevengargoyle]

Thanks my brother for post this beautiful art of Iaido from Nakamura Sensei, for me O-sensei.

[curlywolf]

no problem.

stay safe.

[batmusings]

@stevengargoyle Just a point of clarification: this is not Iaido, but battojutsu. Iaido tries to de-emphasize the jutsu (fighting) aspect unlike this demo which is pure jutsu and gives a perspective of how to actually cut with a sword.

[tomurso]

@batmusings Though some may make a clear distinction, others may not. The terms iaido, battodo, iaijutsu & battojutsu have been used interchangeably. For example, the very man in the clip (Nakamura Taizaburo sensei) formed the All Japan Toyama ryu Iaido Federation; however, this same system is also referred to as battodo such as in the All Japan Battodo Federation (Hataya Mitsuo kaicho). If your school sees a difference, that is fine but please be aware that others may not.

[cooluke]

In all honesty I believe in this video he shows a very hatred his cuts are bone chilling. In his later years he shows a spiritual calm.

[isvorsesdansa]

he "is" a master

this is a lesson in so many ways

[kenpachi316]

thanks for uploading this.

[curlywolf]

no problem.

[mistrija007]

Greatest sensei ever i am a student in Nakamura ryu branch in Serbia,and believe me when i say that this was a great man...bad mother....:)

[IshiYamaRyuSeattle]

One of my favorite clips of all time. Amazing combination of grace and power; it is inspiring every time I see him perform.

[Hyoujinsama]

I wish I could have met him. You can tell this was a big part of his life. He moved as comfortably as if he was cooking eggs at home.

On a semi-related note: Did his blade have hi? I couldn't tell from the film, and it didn't look like it...but that was some tachikaze if not. Scary.

[seamusinjapan]

I saw him at a tournament once and snapped a picture of him when he wasn't looking. It was a few years before he died. He had come over to the side of the room where the katana dealers were displaying their swords and he was having a look at them.

He did a demonstration and was pretty good considering his age.

[rclarked]

and if he had a rifle the story would be different

[cooluke]

exofficer in the Japanese army for the win?

[rclarked]

ding ding ding. you win!

[sunreaper2]

whatever me personally would think twice before standing against him in sparring :D

[sunreaper2]

I practise aikido and I can say tat I have little knowledge of kendo but this man looks like a great master to me. He moves like water and strikes like wind and when still he's like a rock incredible :D I can only dream to learn from master of that degree :(

[tomurso]

Although the late Nakamura Taizaburo sensei was also high ranked in Kendo, in this clip he was demonstrating shizan tameshigiri (test cutting) from Toyama/Nakamura ryu batto do. Kendo is sparring with protective armor in a sporting atmosphere, whereas batto do/iaido is mostly kata which may involve test cutting but does not include free sparring.

Thank you

[GibsonGuy45]

THE MASTER

[8thsinner]

Pity the quality is so bad, was this taken from a beta max or something.

[Rey513]

'his sensei's sensei', dude--this is OLD!

[pimpmaster128]

AWESOME SWORD SKILLS! I wanaa see him use a lightsaber!

[DaveTheSamurai]

Beautiful swordsmanship! See how he controls his Ki and the power of the no-mind. Flawless cutting power.

[JesusFuckingChrist84]

Someone finally gets the "no-mind". I have tried to explain it to a number of ignorant youtube folk, but they just don't get it. :(

[DaveTheSamurai]

They don't want to belive in it thats why they can't find it. Just like Ki they all think if it can't be explained with science then whole subject matter is nonsense. Ignorants is why they are blind and will never understand its true power.

[JesusFuckingChrist84]

Exactly, you must keep an open mind! Ah life, it can be a pester,lol.

[bennykanny]

Ahh...Go rin no sho.

[JesusFuckingChrist84]

Exactly, good for you. :D

[pxlspot]

This sensei was an avtive soldier in WW2. He taught Toyama ryu in Northern China during the conflict. Yes, you would have to have this power and cutting skill to survive. The clip is from a TV show giving the public a first time taste of tameshigiri.

[curlywolf]

and a gun ;)

[Hamking1]

@curlywolf word on the street is, this badass didn't use guns. He was part of some sort of special forces unit who only used knives and swords I guess...

[shonuffisthemaster]

I don't think there is anyone alive today who could draw and sheath a sword like this man. Anyone who tried would end up with a split sheath and most likely some fingers on the ground!!

[ni7enichi]

I hate to use crude words, but this guy is a beast. I've always been fascinated with all aspects of martial arts, and the sensei on this video definitely shows his skill and proficiency with katana.

[vieytes01]

no se puede creer , la espada es un relampago

[Summerv3861]

I don't know about anyone else, but for me just watching Nakamura sensei is a real honor and a treat. Whoever owns the copy of this video, treasure it because there won't be another one.

[JesusFuckingChrist84]

Agreed, I have learned a few things from watching Nakamura sensei, it was in fact an honor.

[Xinsama]

All I can say is that I greatly respect his sheathing skills. The number of times he's sheathed his sword must be phenomenal.

[AlanMolstad]

Nice, good job cutting,

The camera is just a little slow to catch most of the action...

[chisacat]

rrmp24 - what art do you practice ? Huh ? if you think that this is pointless - being able to watch an old archive clip of a giant amongst sensei' in action is not for you - your thicker than a 10 mat roll of tatami omote with a 2" oak dowel through the middle

check out sensei's chiburi at 1:28 , such grace .

[rrmp24]

this art is pointless because no one can actually spar with a real sword, therefore how do you know if it works against people that arent made of mat,

[SlickFiction]

Kendo. This seems to me to be a test of the swordsman's cutting skill and ability. For actual swordfights, you could use kendo. But to see how you'd cut with an actual sword you'd use tameshigiri.

[walesdragon]

Looks like Mr "Jump to conclusions" here has never participated in Iaido. And cutting through bamboo is the equivalent of cutting through two human bodies.

[tomurso]

rrmp24:

Nakamura Taizaburo sensei was a sword instructor for gunto no soho (now known as Toyama Ryu) for Japanese military officers during WWII. I believe that you can draw the conclusion to his actual experience.

Today, most do not train in JSA to be killers but to better oneself through the hard work that swordsmanship offers.

Thank you

[curlywolf]

i will never use it for self-defense (i hope!). but on the subject of "how do you know if it works" i will defer to centuries of field testing by samurai and their predecessors and take their experiences as all the proof i need.

[IshiYamaRyuSeattle]

No art is inherently pointless. Tameshigiri represents just one dimension of how modern swordsmanship can be expressed. A lot can be learned about an artists swing based not only on if they are able to cut through it, but on the angle of the cut, where the cut piece falls in relation to the stand, and the pitch and tone of the sound that is made while cutting.

[IshiYamaRyuSeattle]

In this way, tameshigiri tests the quality of one's cutting ability, which can be very relevent in a hypothetical combat situation. If your swing line is off you may not effectively incapacitate and/or kill your opponent. There is a saying, "you may cut me, but I can kill you". In this sense tameshigiri can be valuable to any sword training curriculum.

[WHISPERINGMONK]

hey ishi i just got recently fascinated with japanese sword play . i like the way you put things ....what would you suggest a novice .

[Shinsengumi77]

The mats undergo a series of stages that result in effectively substituting human limbs and bodies. Bamboo wrapped in them serves as the bone, while the mat serves as skin and muscle. Another way to know this works is to realize that in the old days they tested swords (in a fashion similar to tameshigiri) on criminals. (The criminals reacted to the sword the same as the mats do today -falling over in pieces.)

[JesusFuckingChrist84]

it is sad...this man died according to wikipedia. That makes me sad, he is too skilled :(

[youngaikidoka]

did he die of old age or something else?

[JesusFuckingChrist84]

I am not sure...Maybe old age, he was born 1912.

[youngaikidoka]

that would make sense then

[JesusFuckingChrist84]

Yeah, he only died 4 years ago. But He will live on in Nakamura Ryu.

[youngaikidoka]

i shall try to find a school of it when i go to Japan

[JesusFuckingChrist84]

That would be nice. Though, I have yet to find a style, so I will work on that ASAP.

[Kensh1D]

Ron Zediker teaches Nakamura Ryu in London and I think theres another group as well in the UK. If youre serious I could find the website and contact info for you?

[tomurso]

Nakamura sensei was in his 90's when he passed away, it simply was his time to leave. Toyama Ryu & Nakamura Ryu are taught under several different organizations and may not necessarily be taught together. Simply go on-line to find a reputable school in your area.

Thank you

[youngaikidoka]

ahh so 666namiryu13 strikes again! havn't i already warned you not to leave those kinds of comments. Nami-ryu isn't the best! i personally have seen much better!! take Inaba Minoru Sensei for example, watch some Kashima Shinryu videos and i think it might change your opinion!

[JesusFuckingChrist84]

Hello. Mr.666naniryu13 is not part of the nami ryu dojo. He is...an idiot, lol. There are many styles, but we cannot say which one is best for another, know what I mean?

[youngaikidoka]

i do know what you mean.

but he should reallise that Nami-Ryu is actually a western style!! and by far least superior mainly because of that!

[nallison123]

namiryu13, It would seem that you missed the day that they taught humility at your dojo, or you would not make a comment like that. I am going to guess that you talk a good game but in reality you are just a beginner that does not know any better

[666NamiRyu13]

You are all idiots! Why do you even bother with this old, traditional crap. We need to bring the art to new level! Nami-ryu is the answer. Please stop wasting your time talking about this crap. You samurai geeks!

[Thermond]

You conceit filled toad. Do you even Realize that nami ryu is based on the ancient arts. James Williams is a disgrace, you are not getting anyones possitive attention. You make yourself and James seem like great fools who sit and drink american brewed sake as training.

[nallison123]

James Williams has studied for more then 40 years. He named is style nami ryu because of his instructors wishes, you are the fool here, because unlike namiryu13, you know better

[battobum]

66Namiryu13- Does the 13 refer to your age or your IQ? You do your instructor no good at all with pompous and arrogant outbursts. Perhaps you should be a little worried if he reads this...

BTW grow up or get out more.

[Thermond]

There is no dominant style. Every style has strength and weakness, it is how one uses the style, and masters the styles techniques that makes him powerful overall. If you do not see the obvious what a blind man you are, not simply with your eyes.

[elusivellama]

People looking for a prime example of power, speed, grace and dignity need look no further than this video. Watch this video, then watch the numerous other 'tameshigiri' videos and see the difference.

[ghp95134]

Based on Nakamura sensei's apparent age in this tv extract, I'd say it was made circa 1965, but no later than 1970. As I recall, he was about 55 when it was made (1966/67). Compare with the images at the Kenshinkan Dojo (cannot post message with url!). Go to  Kenshinkan home page & enter site > Founder > Nakamura Family.

--Guy Power

[curlywolf]

I just came across this same footage on the Nakamura Ryu/Toyama Ryu video of his and the caption said 1970. Peace.

[ghp95134]

Hi Curlywolf.

Thanks for posting the date. I would have thought a year or two earlier.

I just compared photos of sensei when he was 48 (1960), and his book published in 1973 (Iaikendo). I think the 1970 setting for this clip is accurate -- he would have been 58 years old.

Sorry for not responding sooner, but these notices get delivered to my trash and I didn't notice it until now.

Regards,

--Guy

[Samuraihitachi]

Power Sensei, I appreciate your insights on Nakamura Sensei, his family, and early years. I am a student of Nakamura Ryu Batto Do under Drawdy Sensei of the Alexandria Kenshinkai. I have found a good source of knowledge from your writings. Domo Arigato

[ghp95134]

Samuraihitachi,

Dave Drawdy is a good and dedicated instructor -- learn as much as you can!

Thank you for your kind words.

--Guy Power

[Kensh1D]

Wow this is old footage!!Many thanks to those that posted this!!! I'm a student of this style as well.I think I have the same video of the last tameshigiri as well. Check out the kakusei kai's webpage I think its posted there under the only english link

[okuiai]

A LEGEND AND NO MISTAKE!

[cooluke]

Mmm...the only video on youtube I've seen of Nakamura-soke tamishigiri.

[curlywolf]

and i'm debating on whether or not to post his LAST ever tameshigiri demonstration at the age of 88.

[cooluke]

Tough call.

[cooluke]

Just to clarify wasn't that his demonstration at the Meji Shrine?

[curlywolf]

well, the footage i have is on a stage at what appears to be an assembly hall. i'll have to ask the guy that shot the footage where it was exactly. i do know that he was driven from the hospital to site and then back to the hospital for it. do you know a lot about the subject?

[cooluke]

I have done for research awhile now. I do not study Nakamuraryu due to limitations of travel. But I am familar with history and stories of him as writen by his students.

[Kensh1D]

Never heard about him being driven from the hospital!! Hope Im half as strong at that age.Heard stories from my Sensei that at 80+ he was still able to do finger-tip push ups on ocassion!

[Kiltmaster]

Truely impressive stuff. Kudos.

Just out of interest, how long ago was this footage filmed?

[curlywolf]

i asked my sempai a month ago but i've forgotten. it's not as old as it looks. japanese tv is/was a little behind USA technology. i want to say circa 1970.

[MizuPsi]

Wow... he's faster than the speed of sound!XD (J/K)

Very good. (of course, what do you expect other than near perfection from someone who has reached 10th, 8th (twice), and 7th dan?

[NihontoTV]

Excellent historically important footage. Thank you. For further solid infoon Japanese swords please check out Nihonto TV

[gusta20]

your sensei is obata i take it then

[curlywolf]

No, my sensei's name is Soga.

There are many people with ties to Nakamura.

Check out other videos by me for footage of my sensei.