slashing with the blade pressed against the object
A cutting technique where the blade is drawn across the target while maintaining pressure, often used in swordsmanship.
mowing down enemies; clean sweep; sweeping conquest
Figurative extension: cutting down multiple opponents in quick succession, or achieving a decisive, overwhelming victory. Often used in historical or dramatic contexts.
Nadegiri is a technique where you cut by drawing the sword while pressing it against the target.
He mowed down the enemy on the battlefield.
That team showed sweeping dominance in the tournament.
Standard kanji spelling using 斬り for cutting/slashing.
Full kanji spelling with 撫で; somewhat less common but still used.
Variant using 切り; less specific than 斬り but still common.
Full kanji spelling with 切り variant.
Compound of 撫で (nade, 'stroking') + 斬り (kiri, 'cutting'). The term likely originated in swordsmanship to describe a drawing cut, later extended metaphorically to sweeping victories.