[allachakb]

I recall reading an interview with Obata sensei in Aikijournal years ago where he was openly critical about the inability of many people to do tameshigiri.

I wonder if he must be speaking about himself and his students?
I'm no Iaidoka or Kenjutsu student, but I know screwy-ness and flim-flam when I see it.
Seriously, in every demonstration I have seen with him and his footsoldiers..(These guys wear as a uniform; a red, wild-man Kamishimo-like thingee) er I mean students, they either break the stand with the bamboo matt, or miss, repeatedly (even Obata) or they have to chop 2 or three times.
Once, two years ago, one of the students hit the stand so hard it flew into the audience.
-or was that supposed to happen?
and then I was deluged with students shoving Shinkendo flyers in my face.

But hey, to each his own I suppose.