The Night of 500 Cuts
March 2, 1992
Mark J. Norton
After two years of warning students of my weapons class, I did a class consisting
only of shomenuchi sword cuts (first suburi). This was done without warning or preamble.
The students lined up as usual, I reviewed briefly how to hold the sword and how
to cut and we started in.
Naturally, some suspected what was going on after 50 cuts or so. I did all the counting
and shifted my position every fifty cuts so that I faced each student in turn. I,
in fact, did not stop at 500 cuts, but rather 501. After cutting, we did some stretching exercises and meditative breathing. I then lectured them briefly on the value
of long stretches of cutting and personal challege, and then dismissed, the class.
The 500 cuts took about 25 minutes.
Lecture points:
Teaches you to relax
Repetitive cutting improves your cut
Means to reach a fugue state
Personally challenging
A form of misogi
Historical aspects
After the class, many students lingered (they did not expect class to end so soon).
Of the various reactions, two stood out: Kathy Fitzgibbons was a little angry when
it seemed that I was going to continue beyond 500 cuts, since she was sure I would
stop at 500. Dave was surprised, because he was sure that we were going to do one thousand
cuts (as I had warned in the past). There were no blisters, most were tired, but
felt they kept up OK. Some had doubts on doing 1000 or more.
Pesonally, I felt pretty good about it. The feelings were different as teacher than
as a student. When I did 2000 cuts at Agatsu Dojo in NJ, it was easier to relax
into a fugue state. I didn't have to focus as much. As the leader this time, I
was counting, and had to concentrate to keep the pace, remember where we were, etc. This
led to a certain sense of boredom after a while. I didn't feel any strain at all
until past 400. After 450, I deliberately pushed the pace to try and push some limits.
There was no stiffness or pain the next day.