Striking and cutting with swords in martial arts
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Do Cut·scholagladiatoria
Some thoughts about how we cut in martial arts. How to actually cut and how we execute cuts in training and competition …
Do Cut
Genus胴打ち
TraditionalTranslation: Torso Strike
Overview
The Dō Cut targets the opponent's torso with a diagonal or horizontal cut to the midsection, one of the four primary target areas in both kenjutsu and kendō. [1] The dō cut requires precise blade angle to connect with the relatively flat surface of the torso, and in kendō it demands a distinctive follow-through where the striker passes to the side after contact. [1],[2] In kenjutsu the dō cut is valued as an effective attack against opponents who raise their guard high, exposing the midsection. [2],[3]
History & Origin
The torso cut (dō-uchi) derives from kenjutsu's horizontal and diagonal body cuts, adapted for kendō competition when the dō armour piece was incorporated into standard bōgu in the eighteenth century. [1] It remains one of the most dynamic techniques in both classical and modern Japanese sword arts. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
Do (torso cut) is a diagonal or horizontal cut targeting the side of the opponent's torso protector, executed with a sweeping motion that requires precise hasuji (blade angle) to score. [1] Do is considered the most technically difficult of the four kendo targets because it requires cutting across the body while maintaining proper form, and judges demand clear cutting trajectory and zanshin. [2]
Lineage
The dō (torso) cut in kendo descends from the classical kenjutsu horizontal cut targeting the opponent's midsection. It was included as one of the four valid target areas when kendo rules were standardised. [1]
Competition Record
Do strikes are the least frequently scored of the four kendo targets (men, kote, do, tsuki), typically accounting for 10–15% of ippon, but are valued for their technical difficulty and dramatic execution. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Cutting, thrusting, or striking with a bladed weapon — edge alignment and trajectory determine cutting effectiveness
Joints Involved — Wrists (edge alignment and rotation), elbows (extension for thrusts, chambering for cuts), shoulders (arc of the cut), hips (power generation)
Force Vector — Varies — downward diagonal cut (kesa-giri), horizontal cut (yoko-giri), thrust (tsuki), or rising cut (kiri-age)
Weapon Mechanic — Edge alignment (hasuji) is critical — the blade must travel along its cutting plane for effective cuts
Position & Entry
From ready stance (chudan-no-kamae or equivalent) — Assume guard position, establish distance (ma-ai), execute the cut or thrust when an opening appears
From engagement distance — Use footwork to close to striking range, execute the technique with proper edge alignment (hasuji)
As counter — Wait for the opponent's attack, deflect or avoid, and counter-cut to the exposed target
Variants
Standard cut — primary cutting angle from the ready stance
Thrust (tsuki) — straight thrust targeting the throat, chest, or face
Rising cut (kiri-age) — upward diagonal cut from low to high
Diagonal cut (kesa-giri) — downward diagonal cut following the kimono line
Videos
![Advanced wakizashi technique-draw cutting [wakizashi tutorial/tameshigiri]](https://img.youtube.com/vi/tD-rXB924CA/hqdefault.jpg)
Advanced wakizashi technique-draw cutting [wakizashi tutorial/tameshigiri]
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Do Cut·Just a Bug
Today I go through how to do a draw cut and some tips and tricks of how to add more force and mass into the strike for a…
How to Start Cutting with Swords: a Beginners Guide to Test Cutting
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Do Cut·Sellsword Arts
In this video we break down how to get started with test cutting! We talk about what kind of sword you should buy, how…
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The do cut (dorsal or torso cut) is executed with attention to edge alignment, body mechanics, and the center of percussion on the blade. Just a Bug emphasizes that draw cuts—which include downward, sideways, and upward variations—require smooth, continuous motion to avoid self-injury, and that body mass must be incorporated differently depending on direction: upward body movement for downward cuts, rotational body movement for sideways cuts, and lower-to-upper body movement for upward cuts. Scholagladiatoria stresses the importance of striking at an oblique angle rather than perpendicular to the target, as this reduces effective edge angle, allows the blade to slice through and draw across the target, and prevents the blade from stopping completely upon impact. The instructor notes that the most effective cutting occurs in the center of percussion—typically two-thirds to three-quarters along the blade—where force transmission is strongest and edge geometry is most acute. Sellsword Arts reinforces proper body mechanics for cutting, emphasizing that cuts should incorporate the lats, hips, and legs rather than relying on arm strength alone, and that distance and stance (with the opposite-side foot forward from the cut direction) are critical for safety and effectiveness. All three instructors agree that test cutting on prepared targets (tatami mats) is essential for understanding true cutting mechanics, as opposed to sport-oriented tap-based techniques that do not reflect martial cutting principles.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- Just a Bug — Advanced wakizashi technique-draw cutting [wakizashi tutorial/tameshigiri]: Detailed three-type taxonomy of draw cuts (downward, sideways, upward) with specific body mechanics for each; emphasis on smooth continuous motion, edge line maintenance, and center of percussion; comparison of wakizashi vs. katana cutting dynamics.
- scholagladiatoria — Striking and cutting with swords in martial arts: Core principles of center of percussion location and blade geometry; explanation of oblique-angle cutting advantages (reduced effective edge angle, slicing action, blade continuation through target); critique of perpendicular striking and sport-oriented flick techniques.
- Sellsword Arts — How to Start Cutting with Swords: a Beginners Guide to Test Cutting: Body mechanics for safe, effective cuts using posterior chain (lats, hips, legs); proper stance with opposite-foot-forward rule; practical guidance on test-cutting setup, tatami preparation, and the importance of wet targets for realistic cutting resistance.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
9
Extreme9/10
Edged weapons cause fatal lacerations; historical battlefield mortality rates >30% (Amberger 1999)
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— datotsu-bu
FIK Kendo Competition RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Do (body) cut is a horizontal or slightly diagonal cut to the opponent's torso — targeting the do (chest protector) area in kendo, representing a killing cut to the abdomen or ribs (All Japan Kendo Federation, Japanese-English Dictionary of Kendo, 2011)
✓Do is the primary horizontal cutting technique: the blade travels across the opponent's body at chest or waist level
✓In kendo, do is struck with a diagonal descending path: typically from upper left to lower right (right do) or upper right to lower left (left do)
✓The do cut requires passing to the side after striking: the practitioner cuts through and passes the opponent, demonstrating zanshin (continued awareness) while moving past
✓Do cut timing: do is most effective when the opponent raises their sword to attack men — the raised arms expose the do target
✓Do develops unique body mechanics: the horizontal path requires different hip rotation and arm extension than vertical cuts
✓The do cut is the most difficult of the four kendo techniques to execute cleanly: the angle, edge alignment, and passing body movement must all be correct simultaneously
Common Mistakes
!Cutting at the wrong height — do targets the chest protector area, not the stomach or the hips
!Not passing through after the cut — the body must continue past the opponent with zanshin after the do cut
!Using the cut as a defensive flinch — do must be an offensive, committed technique
!Poor edge alignment on the horizontal path — hasuji on the do cut requires specific practice
!Not timing the do to the opponent's men attack — do works best when the opponent raises their arms
!Cutting too high (hitting the arm) or too low (hitting the tare) — the target zone is specific
!Not turning the hands over for the right-to-left do cut — the grip adjustment is essential for proper cutting angle
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Assume Guard (Kamae/Hut) — take the appropriate ready position with the weapon
2Measure Distance (Ma-ai) — establish correct striking distance
3Initiate Cut/Thrust — execute the technique with proper edge alignment or point control
4Follow Through (Zanshin) — maintain awareness and readiness after the technique
Sources & References
Primary Source
The Book of Five Rings (Miyamoto Musashi, 1645)
1BookThe Book of Five Rings (Musashi, 1645)
Alias sources — [1] Japanese Swordsmanship (Warner & Draeger, 1982) [2] Japanese Swordsmanship (Warner & Draeger, 1982) [3] Japanese Swordsmanship (Warner & Draeger, 1982)
2BookThe Art of Fencing (Barbasetti, 1932)
Effectiveness sources — [1] All Japan Kendo Federation, Kendo Official Manual (AJKF) [2] Warner, G. & Draeger, D., Japanese Swordsmanship: Technique and Practice (Weatherhill, 1982)
3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)
4CitationThe Book of Five Rings (Musashi, 1645)
Alias sources — [1] Japanese Swordsmanship (Warner & Draeger, 1982) [2] Japanese Swordsmanship (Warner & Draeger, 1982) [3] Japanese Swordsmanship (Warner & Draeger, 1982)
5CitationThe Art of Fencing (Barbasetti, 1932)
Effectiveness sources — [1] All Japan Kendo Federation, Kendo Official Manual (AJKF) [2] Warner, G. & Draeger, D., Japanese Swordsmanship: Technique and Practice (Weatherhill, 1982)
Community
Athletics
Requires
wrist control for edge alignment, grip endurance, footwork precision
Favours
quick wrists, strong forearms, good posture
Key muscles
forearm extensors/flexors, deltoids, core, calves
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to start learning draw cuts right away, or should I practice with something else first?
You should always start by training draw cuts with a bokken (wooden sword) before attempting the real technique. Draw cuts are an advanced move, and if you've never done them before, you can really badly hurt yourself, so proper progression is essential.
What's the proper angle to cut at when performing a draw cut?
You want to hit at an oblique angle rather than straight on. When you hit on the slant, the blade will naturally draw through and pass the target, allowing it to slice properly. Hitting straight will not cut well and can cause the blade to stick.
How do I add power to my draw cuts?
You want to add as much body mass as possible to create a powerful cut, which means your body position has to change slightly for each cut direction. For example, on a downward cut, your body comes up and then turns through to generate more force.
What's the most common injury when learning test cutting?
The most common injury is cutting your own leg. To prevent this, remember to position your feet correctly: if you're cutting to the left, have your right foot forward; if cutting to the right, have your left foot forward.
How does the Do Cut work?
The Dō Cut targets the opponent's torso with a diagonal or horizontal cut to the midsection, one of the four primary target areas in both kenjutsu and kendō. The dō cut requires precise blade angle to connect with the relatively flat surface of the torso, and in kendō it demands a distinctive follow-through where the striker passes to the side after contact.
Where does the Do Cut come from?
The torso cut (dō-uchi) derives from kenjutsu's horizontal and diagonal body cuts, adapted for kendō competition when the dō armour piece was incorporated into standard bōgu in the eighteenth century. It remains one of the most dynamic techniques in both classical and modern Japanese sword arts.
Is the Do Cut legal in competition?
FIK Kendo: legal — Legal, valid strike requires correct form (datotsu-bu), spirit (kiai), and fo…
How dangerous is the Do Cut?
Danger rating 9/10. Extreme — edged weapons cause fatal lacerations; historical battlefield mortality rates >30% (Amberger 1999)
How do I set up the Do Cut?
The standard setup chain: Assume Guard (Kamae/Hut) → Measure Distance (Ma-ai) → Initiate Cut/Thrust → Follow Through (Zanshin).
How do I defend against the Do Cut?
Standard counters include: Parry (Absetzen) — deflect the incoming blade with a counter-displacement / Void (Step Back) — withdraw from measure to avoid the cutting arc / Counter-Cut (Nachreisen) — strike into the opponent's opening during their attack.
What are the variants of the Do Cut?
Common variants: Standard cut (primary cutting angle from the ready stance); Thrust (tsuki) (straight thrust targeting the throat, chest, or face); Rising cut (kiri-age) (upward diagonal cut from low to high); Diagonal cut (kesa-giri) (downward diagonal cut following the kimono line).
How effective is the Do Cut in competition?
Do strikes are the least frequently scored of the four kendo targets (men, kote, do, tsuki), typically accounting for 10–15% of ippon, but are valued for their technical difficulty and dramatic execution.
What are common mistakes when doing the Do Cut?
Top errors to watch for: Cutting at the wrong height — do targets the chest protector area, not the stomach or the hips / Not passing through after the cut — the body must continue past the opponent with zanshin after the do cut / Using the cut as a defensive flinch — do must be an offensive, committed technique / Poor edge alignment on the horizontal path — hasuji on the do cut requires specific practice.
What are other names for the Do Cut?
The Do Cut is also known as Do, Trunk Cut, Body Strike.