Japanese swords at carpet-world

**Ignorami** · Posted On: 10/10/2012 4:51pm

A couple of my guys went to a Tameshigri seminar recently.

For those who don't know (or for those who do know, and I've used the wrong word), its a sword cutting thing. You get rolled up tatami or bamboo, or ginger kids or whatever, put them on a plinth and chop them in half with a samurai sword. All the while resisting the urge to quote Kill Bill, or make lightsaber sounds.

On their triumphant return, having vanquished all the myriad tribes of rolled-up foes, they presented me with a small piece of carpet. (my colonial bullshido brethren may prefer the term "McRug")

It is approximately 12" x 5", and red in colour. Not stinking communist red, more like Santa red. It is medium pile.

Any of the above specifics may be relevant or irrelevant.

It has been presented as some kind of riddle. A challenge to both my intellect, and my authoritaaaa.

I am first in line to take it home, and using deduction, intuition, experience, and my sheer god damn good looks, discern...

"What was this used for?"

Clues:
"It was used in this form"
"It is not a by-product of another use, but an element in its own right"
"It was an important part if the day"
"It's not an off cut of a makeshift tameshigiri mat"

I decided, as all right thinking patriots would, to cheat.

I got to thinking... Who are the wisest, most insightful, analytical, clear thinking, serious minded, time-generous, downright incredible people I know.

Well it's you guys. So I ask you to turn your brain-lasers outwards people and tell me...

What the **** is crazy-sword-carpet about?