|
Uh, gotcha. I spent time in the SCA as well (only a few years though), have taking training in various martial arts from around the world (Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Russian, Thai, etc), and have enough history courses to have damned near double majored while in school.
Which assumption do you find so damning?
From the Kendo training I've taken (not so much) and watched (a fair amount), the footwork is far better tha the European martial training I've taken (tolerable amount) and watched (a good bit more, I never trained as a wire-weenie, but I watched the heck out of it). Technology is a major factor in either period, as I made obvious in the post, but I always thought the European arts were less than stellar on footwork and mobility, and much of this was due to the fact that hopping around in a large amount of steel and leather was not conducive to being able to last in a long battle.
In any case, the actual outcome would be determined by the individuals. I've personally 'beaten' a Kali-Silat grandmaster in friendly sparring, entirely because I put my Sombo training to good use and he wasn't equipped/trained (or big enough) to gracefully counter it. I am merely discussing certain advantages given the style of training, equipment, and mentality of the periods referenced.
|