Tameshigiri is the Japanese sword art of cutting rolled bamboo mats with a single strike. Each individual tatami mat is said to have a difficulty of cut equal to severing a man’s upper leg, which is more difficult than severing a head.

During the weekend of November 13-14, 2004, Master Swordsmith Daniel Watson of Angel Sword Corp. will host the Tameshigiri Challenge at the Texas Renaissance Festival near Houston, Texas.

The game will be heavy cutting only.  Twenty Bugei wara, individually rolled and soaked in water from 36 to 48 hours, will be arranged in a staggered formation on a four foot long stand.  The swordsman who cuts the most mats with a single strike will be awarded a $2,000 cash prize.  The challenge is open to all styles of sword and swordsmanship with a limit of no sword having an overall length greater than six feet.  Only completely severed mats will count.

The entry fee for the competition will be $200 with a limit of 20 contestants.  Each entrant will be allowed one swing only.  A cut off will ensue in the event of a tie for first place.  Entrant is one swordsman and one sword.  Another combination of sword and swordsman   Another combination of sword and swordsman may be considered as a separate entry.

For more information, contact Angel Sword Corp. at 512-847-9679 or info@angelsword.com.