• Changing RCF's index page, please click on "Forums" to access the forums.

Who Wins: Samurai Master w/Katana vs. Fencing Maestro w/ Rapier?

Do Not Sell My Personal Information

Who win a duel between a Samurai Swordmaster and Fencing Master?

  • The Samurai Wielding the Katana

    Votes: 5 55.6%
  • The Maestro with his Rapier

    Votes: 3 33.3%
  • A Draw

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • A Maine Coon (Who May or May Not be King) with Vibranium Claws

    Votes: 2 22.2%
  • Gary Barnidge with a Handcrafted Blade of His Own Design

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    9

Sebastian

Folkets Kärlek min Belöning
Staff member
Real Cleveland Fans
Administrator
Joined
Jul 12, 2014
Messages
26,506
Reaction score
55,149
Points
151
Conditions: Flat open surface, no armor. No dagger/wakazashi.

Masters of equal excellence.

Duel to the: 1) Blood, 2) Death.

"Gun" posts will be deleted.
 
The lack of armor really helps the fencing master.

But I go with whichever once cheated and brought the .44 Magnum.

:celb (9):
 
Samurai dedicate every moment to perfection of their craft. Fencers are simply children of privilege.

Most of the finest fencers of Europe were professional military NCOs and officers.

They got good because they had to.
 
Most of the finest fencers of Europe were professional military NCOs and officers.

They got good because they had to.

Can we agree that the expectations of Bushido are stricter and less forgiving than the disintegrated expectations of chivalry by the high Medieval period? I wouldn't even claim the ethos of Bushido as healthier superior... just more likely to create an unbeatable mentality.
 
Can we agree that the expectations of Bushido are stricter and less forgiving than the disintegrated expectations of chivalry by the high Medieval period? I wouldn't even claim the ethos of Bushido as healthier superior... just more likely to create an unbeatable mentality.

Perhaps.

But the setting isn't a battlefield, it is a duel.

While the samurai, like a knight, lived for battle, the duelists of the early-modern period engaged in 100s of duels in their lives in which there was no second place.

A fencing master wasn't necessarily a fop. Many were also officers or NCOs who fought in many battles. Cavalrymen of the age used the saber as their primary weapon.

Napoleon's Marshal Oudinot was wounded 36 times in battle and was reputed as the French Army's finest swordsman in an age of great swordsman. It is said he killed a 100 men in duels that often lasted less than a minute.

A warrior is a warrior. I think it would be very unfortunate for a samurai to underestimate their opponent or his weapon.
 
Conditions: Flat open surface, no armor. No dagger/wakazashi.

Masters of equal excellence.

Duel to the: 1) Blood, 2) Death.

"Gun" posts will be deleted.
Starting with Swords Drawn:
1) Rapier - single-handed (shorter swing/strike time), lighter weapon with greater reach
2) Katana - double-handed (longer swing/strike time), heavier weapon with lesser reach

Starting with Swords Sheathed:
1) Katana - can be more quickly drawn
2) Katana - heavier weapon with full blade sharpened vs. lighter blade doing damage primarily at the tip
 
Last edited:
Are the masters starting with swords drawn or sheathed?

Drawn.

After saluting each other and one says "en garde" or ガードに.

We are talking civilized people. I think they perhaps had tea beforehand.

dvfD6EX.gif
 
Perhaps.

But the setting isn't a battlefield, it is a duel.

While the samurai, like a knight, lived for battle, the duelists of the early-modern period engaged in 100s of duels in their lives in which there was no second place.

A fencing master wasn't necessarily a fop. Many were also officers or NCOs who fought in many battles. Cavalrymen of the age used the saber as their primary weapon.

Napoleon's Marshal Oudinot was wounded 36 times in battle and was reputed as the French Army's finest swordsman in an age of great swordsman. It is said he killed a 100 men in duels that often lasted less than a minute.

A warrior is a warrior. I think it would be very unfortunate for a samurai to underestimate their opponent or his weapon.

We would absolutely need to isolate a specific time period for this duel. I immediately thought this would take place during the Kamakura Period - 12th through 14th century due to the way this battle was phrased.

During the Kamakura Period, I give it to the Samurai without hesitation.
 
We would absolutely need to isolate a specific time period for this duel. I immediately thought this would take place during the Kamakura Period - 12th through 14th century due to the way this battle was phrased.

During the Kamakura Period, I give it to the Samurai without hesitation.

Yeah, there was no fencing in that period.

Let's say, 1550-1800.
 
Yeah, there was no fencing in that period.

Let's say, 1550-1800.

You have loaded the dice for the Western training. The height of Japanese culture falls apart when the Jesuits arrive right before this period you have selected, creating strife with Western culture colliding with Bushido.

This is, however, the most likely period when a Western European might have travelled to Japan.
 
You have loaded the dice for the Western training. The height of Japanese culture falls apart when the Jesuits arrive right before this period you have selected, creating strife with Western culture colliding with Bushido.

This is, however, the most likely period when a Western European might have travelled to Japan.

Unfortunately, there is no other period for fencing style swordplay.

Before 1550, there was still a preference for a broadsword.

Fencing as a martial art only became prevalent throughout Western European society once gunpowder evolved to mass armies carrying flintlocks.

Also, Katanas only became widespread in Japan after 1550 as well. We could use a Tachi instead.
 
Also, Katanas only became widespread in Japan after 1550 as well. We could use a Tachi instead.

According to Wikipedia, the katana shows up in the 12th century. That is consistent to the curriculum I teach which stresses the katana as crucial to the Kamakura Period.

At any rate, the style of swordfighting is completely different and the swords are completely different. That is the source of why this battle would be so different.

In my opinion, if this were to be an accurate fight the Samurai should be allowed their lightweight wicker and steel armor and their wakizashi. The assumption of the 16th century setting would be that Spanish Conquistadors land and attempt to colonize Japan on their terms and in their rules of dueling, not the other way around. Japan weren't Imperialist until the second world war.

Sorry I'm blowing up your hypo.
 
You have loaded the dice for the Western training. The height of Japanese culture falls apart when the Jesuits arrive right before this period you have selected, creating strife with Western culture colliding with Bushido.

This is, however, the most likely period when a Western European might have travelled to Japan.

Goddammit now I want to re-read Shogun.
 

Rubber Rim Job Podcast Video

Episode 3-13: "Backup Bash Brothers"

Rubber Rim Job Podcast Spotify

Episode 3:11: "Clipping Bucks."
Top