I have trouble deciding which was the most amazing feat in this video, wow!
Impressive, but not as impressive as “nunchuck guy”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsEZ2lpM0Yw&feature=related
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Impressive, but not as impressive as “nunchuck guy”
http://www.youtube.com/...&feature=related
I love that clip… That guy was even “featured” on South Park one time!
reality is that none of what he does is that impressive to most serious martial artists.
But it makes great footage!
He’s using one of those bad ass Hatori Hanzou swords from Kill Bill Vol. 1 &2!
Machii-san is a master of the draw (Iaijutsu), no question. His draw technique, from the scabbard to whatever object he wishes to strike at, is at that level. Those bundles he was slashing through at the intro are meant to simulate the human neck, by the way. Through much experimentation (by samurai chopping through necks, actually), it was determined that there was a certain number of stalks needed to approximate a neck. From there, a student of the art of the draw and the sword could practice his technique without having to constantly round up bandits or others who needed to be sent to reside with the rest of the kami.
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And Mr. Tex is is right: That sword is a very fine instrument, but it’s no Hanso sword
Myself, I’d like one day to have a Tsuda Sukenao or a Yoshimichi Tachi, but I don’t have 60 or 70 thousand bucks lying around. And there are other swords better than Machii-san’s that run over a hundred thousand or more. -
Miyamoto Musashi, though, would say that iron pipes and green beans don’t strike back. I’d be curious to see if Isao would be able to handle a duel and maintain what is obviously very good focus and *wa. *The duel would be with bokken, though, which are wooden. The edges, strength and sheer brilliance of the Japanese sword is unmatched by any other blade in the world. In fact, there’s not even a close second anywhere in this galaxy, that’s how fine a true Japanese blade is.
Jim’s also right, too. I’ve seen Chinese and Japanese swordsmen (the Chinese call their version a Guan) who are otherworldly. Machii-san is great. But he’s no Musashi, Naoshige, or Mototada.
T.
- Miyamoto Musashi, though, would say that iron pipes and green beans don’t strike back.
Yeah, but Bruce said it first… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xx34FlEDtJ4
“Bowahds don’ hit bahk!” Then beat the hell out of Bob Wall. I was a senior red belt in TKD (Ji Do Kwan) when that movie came out 
I always loved guys who could break ten cinder slabs then would fold the first time they got popped during a free-fighting tournament.
T.
I found it pretty cool how he was able to strike hard enough to cut the pipe (instead of pinching it) and yet still not go more than a mm or two inside the wooden block supporting it, quite amazing control (not to mention the horizontal green bean, which was quite impressive also)
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Machii is outstanding, no disputing that. That sword (or swords…I think he used a different one to slice the pipe) of his is a work of art, which helps when it comes to drawing and then cutting through something. That pea pod is a perfect example of how truly sharp Japanese swords can be. The technique used in cutting through both the pod and the pipe involves speed and control above all else. If Isao-san hadn’t used the right amount of speed and control, you’d have seen the blade embed itself in the wooden block. Yet, he was able to stop his slice at the precise location necessary to avoid such an occurrence. I’m sure somebody smarter than I at physics can explain how the velocity and mass of the sword combined to slice that iron. All I know is that I’d hate to be on the receiving end of that blow
I know of several people who train strictly on the draw, which is the art of Iaijutsu. They spend no time on any other aspect of swordsmanship. Most of them believe that if the draw is perfect, the cut will be effective, and there’ll be no need to do anything else with the weapon but sheath it again. After all the blood’s been cleaned off, of course (haha!)
T.
Yeah but can he chop through a log then cut tomato paper thin? Didn’t think so.
I love how he falls flat on his face then gets up swinging like we didn’t see him fall. I love that guy.
Undoubtedly very impressive but if I’m not mistaken, the Japanese samurai have always viewed their sword as an extension(if not the actual form) of their soul. Many don’t even use their swords to cut any longer because cutting dulls the blade, in turn requiring sharpening(which thins out the blade). As a matter of fact, many who practice Iaido(or Iaito however you choose to spell it) frown heavily upon this practice. They only used it back when they truly needed to draw their sword. It’s sort of sad to see a pure form become commonplace entertainment. But hey that’s just an opinion.
For most samurai, their sword had a name. If it wasn’t something they gave it, it was the name of the swordsmith who made it. I have one that I saved for a year to be able to afford, and it NEVER, EVER is used to even TOUCH the edge to something. It’s part of a daisho, and it’s actually not even a good set in comparison to some of the classic ones. But, like you say…the Japanese mainly don’t even know what Bushido, or being bushi, is nowadays. I’m a poor excuse for a lot of things, but I respect the hell out of the philosophy behind being samurai and being bushi, though. Not the neck cutting parts. But the code.
T.
The guy is a serious eye-hand freak to start with and goes beyond from there with a lifetime of training. I wonder if he was drafted by any of the Japanese baseball franchises. After watching the video of him slicing up BB’s you sorta doubt there is a fastball that could get past him.