They call him ‘The Modern-Day Samurai’. Master swordsman Isao Machii can slice a BB gun pellet in mid-air. He holds four World Records for swordsmanship – so what’s he doing slicing up fruit in this ad for Toaster Strudels?
It’s still a cool video, though, as he slices his way through watermelons and pineapples at lightning speed. Join us after the jump for a look at this “live action fruit ninja” vid. What would Gretchen Weiners’s father think?
Machii is an Iaidoka, a practitioner of the Japanese non-combat martial art Iaido. He holds four Guinness World Records for ‘Most martial arts sword cuts to one mat’, ‘Fastest 1,000 martial arts sword cuts’, ‘Most sword cuts to straw mats in three minutes’, and ‘Fastest tennis ball (708 km/h) cut by sword’. Yep, this man can cut through a tennis ball that’s flying at over 400 miles an hour.
▼ Anyway, here is is playing Fruit Ninja.
Honestly though, the Toaster Strudel/Fruit Ninja ad doesn’t do his skills justice. Watch him showing off his skills on Japanese TV, with a series of requests from the presenters leading up to “can you cut a single rice grain in half for us?”
But Machii still looks awesome even when he’s slicing fruit:
We think one YouTuber had it right though when they commented: “This does NOT, however, make me want a Toaster Strudel.”
▼ I believe that’s what they call “the money shot”?
Kyoto receives more foreign tourists than ever before, but fewer visitors say they’ll return
Starbucks Japan unveils exclusive new Frappuccinos limited to three regional areas
Pokémon Card Stores requiring facial recognition scans for entry in Japan in latest anti-scalper move
Japanese Shinkansen welcomes overnight guests for one night during summer festival
A roadside hair salon stall in China made us Norway’s Haaland for US$1, and warmed out hearts too
Kyoto receives more foreign tourists than ever before, but fewer visitors say they’ll return
Starbucks Japan unveils exclusive new Frappuccinos limited to three regional areas
Pokémon Card Stores requiring facial recognition scans for entry in Japan in latest anti-scalper move
Japanese Shinkansen welcomes overnight guests for one night during summer festival
A roadside hair salon stall in China made us Norway’s Haaland for US$1, and warmed out hearts too
Tokyo Pokémon Center announces reopening after months-long closure following stabbing death
Japan’s expensive “phantom” melon is so exquisite it sells out in just 12 hours
McDonald’s Japan goes viral for Samurai Mac burger hack
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Pikachu and Ditto Pokémon desserts at Baskin-Robbins Japan look AND feel like their inspirations
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Which country’s foreign tourists spend the most money per-person in Japan? Hint: Not the U..S. or China
Starbucks Japan releases a miniature display rack so you can create your very own store at home
Giant Evangelion Spear of Longinus to be installed at Japanese train station with Eva art trains
Face lettuce appears in Japan, with the face of Death Note’s Light Yagami, but why?
Kodama Shinkansen trains on popular Japan route get a whole new look this winter
Brand new Shinkansen bullet train unveiled in Japan… but it won’t carry passengers
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Tokyo Pokémon Center announces reopening after months-long closure following stabbing death
Japan’s expensive “phantom” melon is so exquisite it sells out in just 12 hours
McDonald’s Japan goes viral for Samurai Mac burger hack
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Pikachu and Ditto Pokémon desserts at Baskin-Robbins Japan look AND feel like their inspirations
Studio Ghibli Laputa figure looks like it’s really flying thanks to cool visual trick
Studio Ghibli adds new Ponyo glassware to its anime lineup for summer
Starbucks Japan brings back the Caramel Waffle, but is it as good as it used to be?
How are you supposed to wash a Japanese futon duvet at the laundromat?
Which country’s foreign tourists spend the most money per-person in Japan? Hint: Not the U..S. or China
Japanese government okays plan to create a backup capital city
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
61-year-old Kyoto man arrested for playing guitar and radio too loudly for seven years