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Bamboo Strike

Ghost of Tsushima: All Bamboo Strike Locations & Resolve Upgrades

Last Updated: November 1, 2025

Jin Sakai slicing bamboo at a Bamboo Strike location in Ghost of Tsushima.

As you guide Jin Sakai on his quest across the war-torn islands of Tsushima and Iki, you'll find more than just Mongol encampments and tales of honor. Scattered across the breathtaking landscape are unique challenges known as Bamboo Strikes—serene clearings where your focus, memory, and precision are put to the ultimate test.

These activities are far more than simple distractions; they are essential for forging Jin into the legendary Ghost. Completing them provides a permanent boost to your Resolve, the vital resource that fuels your most powerful abilities. This authoritative guide will walk you through everything you need to know about finding and conquering every Bamboo Strike to maximize your potential as a warrior.

What Are Bamboo Strikes in Ghost of Tsushima?

Bamboo Strikes are optional mini-games found throughout the world of Tsushima and Iki Island. When you discover one, you'll find three bamboo stands arranged in a clearing. Interacting with the challenge initiates a test of memory and reflexes where you must cleanly slice through each bamboo stalk by inputting a sequence of buttons.

There are a total of 20 Bamboo Strikes to be found in the Director's Cut of the game: 16 on the main island of Tsushima and another 4 on Iki Island. Each location serves as a meditative break from the constant conflict, allowing you to hone your skills while earning a crucial reward. Once discovered, they appear as a distinct bamboo icon on your map, making them easy to track as you liberate the islands.

Why Increasing Your Resolve is Crucial

The primary reward for completing Bamboo Strikes is a permanent increase to your Resolve meter. In Ghost of Tsushima, Resolve is the core resource that fuels Jin's most powerful abilities. It's the yellow-colored resource above your health bar, used for two critical functions:

  • Healing: Spend Resolve to regain health in the middle of a fight.
  • Special Techniques: Unleash devastating moves like the Heavenly Strike and Dance of Wrath.

A larger Resolve pool allows for more frequent healing and more opportunities to use game-changing abilities, turning the tide in difficult duels and large-scale battles. Rather than a small increase per strike, your maximum Resolve increases by one full circle after completing specific milestones of Bamboo Strikes. Seeking them all out is one of the most effective ways to build a truly formidable warrior.

How to Complete a Bamboo Strike

The mechanics are simple to understand but require intense focus to master. Each Bamboo Strike location requires you to cut through three stalks of bamboo. The challenge ramps up, requiring a sequence of 3 buttons for the first stalk, 5 for the second, and a difficult 7-button sequence for the final one.

  1. Observe the Sequence: A series of face buttons (△, O, X, ☐) will appear on-screen. Memorize them in the correct order.
  2. Input with Precision: Hold down R2 and press the buttons exactly as they were shown. There is a very short time limit, so speed is critical.
  3. Execute the Strike: If you input the sequence correctly before time runs out, Jin will perform a swift, clean cut. An incorrect input will result in a failed attempt for that stalk.
  4. Complete the Set: Successfully slice through all three bamboo stalks to complete the challenge and contribute towards your next Resolve upgrade.

Failing a sequence doesn't mean you fail the entire challenge. You can retry the same stalk until you get it right, but mastering the rhythm is key to moving through them efficiently.

Tips for Finding Every Bamboo Strike

While some Bamboo Strikes are easily found near villages or main roads, many are tucked away in hidden corners of the islands.

  • Explore Off the Beaten Path: Don't just stick to the main story. Venture into dense forests, follow rivers to their source, and explore secluded coastlines. Bamboo Strikes are often placed in peaceful, picturesque areas.
  • Use the Guiding Wind: You can track undiscovered Bamboo Strikes by setting the Guiding Wind to target them from the map screen once you've unlocked the appropriate skill.
  • Wear the Traveler's Attire: This armor set is designed for exploration. When upgraded, it will cause your controller to vibrate when you are near a collectible, including Bamboo Strikes.
  • Look for Guiding Birds: The golden birds of Tsushima will often appear to guide you toward undiscovered points ofinterest, including these challenges.
  • Liberate Occupied Territories: Clearing out Mongol camps and strongholds will lift the "fog of war" on your map, revealing all nearby points of interest, making Bamboo Strikes much easier to spot.

All Bamboo Strike Locations

To fully upgrade your Resolve, you'll need to find all 16 strikes on Tsushima and the 4 on Iki Island. They are distributed as follows:

Tsushima Island (16 Total)

  • Izuhara Region (7 Locations): The starting area of the game. You can find strikes near Azamo Bay, Tsutsu, the Ariake Bamboo Forest, and Hiyoshi Springs, among others.
  • Toyotama Region (6 Locations): The central region. Look for strikes in Akashima, Umugi, Kushi, and near Yarikawa.
  • Kamiagata Region (3 Locations): The final, snow-covered region. Strikes are located in Sago, Kin, and near Endless Forest.

Iki Island (4 Total) - Director's Cut

  • These four strikes are scattered across Iki Island. Exploring the island thoroughly and liberating territories will reveal their locations near Tatsu's Ladder, Buddha's Footprints, Saruiwa, and east of the Zasho River.

The Ultimate Completionist's Reward

For dedicated players who own the Director's Cut or the Iki Island expansion, there's an extra reward. After successfully completing all 20 Bamboo Strikes across both Tsushima and Iki Island, you will be rewarded with the Sacred Mountain Messenger mask, a unique cosmetic item for Jin.