Tameshigiri traditionally is the art of cutting to test the sharpness of a sword blade. At the School of Sword and Staff, we use Tameshigiri as a teaching tool. Using a live blade and cutting materials, you learn to hold the sword at the proper angle. Using the correct technique and speed, you learn to make the perfect 45 degree angle cuts. You also learn how to cut from the draw, using many of the IAI katas draws.
We use a variety of targets such as rolled up bamboo mats and live green bamboo. At harvest time, we throw apples from our apple tree, and draw and cut them before the apples hit the ground.