Samurai - Page 2 - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

iktoweya · 10-26-2003, 12:20 PM

here's my go at this. From reading the rest of the posts here it is hard to say who would actually take the win. It would differ between each battle of course. As the two would face each other one of them after a while will make a fatal error in turn giving the other individual the upper hand.

In example:

Knights - Have their broad sword and a shield. However when they swing their broad sword, should the miss they leave them selves open on their sword side for a small amount of time. Time enough for a fatal strike fro a samurai.

Samurai - Well they are seriously weak in armor so most attacks that connect will indeed be fatal and the clanging of swords will surely put their smaller probably weaker katanas at rest.

IMHO of course

Fire · 10-26-2003, 09:14 PM

I have often wondered why the japenese did not develope shields as the europeans did- having sparred extensively, i agree with moonduck that shields are a BIG factor- have noted that eastern styles emphasise avoidance of the enemy's strikes, but seems unususal that shields are (pretty much) absent - have no where near the experience with eastern weapons as w/western so does anyone know why the divergence?

Moonduck · 10-26-2003, 11:34 PM

Mindset? I dunno. The reason the Samurai wore the armour that they did was due to lack of easily accessible iron ore deposits. The primary reason why European society advanced so quickly in hard tech was extremely easy to mine iron and other metals. I would personally think that the amazing things the Japanese were doing with lacquered wood (their lacquers were stunningly good) would've produced wonderful shields.

Admittedly, the romantic ideal of the samurai is such that they had zero concern for defense, only concern for offense. Such a mind would not think about shields as it would be unworthy. The common soldier however would be highly interested in preserving life and limb.

It is an interesting question and bears looking into!

krazixs · 10-28-2003, 12:38 PM

Sorry Moonduck, for not responding earlier to your posts regarding my own (i check this board infrequently at best), anyway I will find you that book I read in the room my wife refers to as "The Cave of No return" or garage as I like to call it. As to the response on modernizing military tactics, i think it comes down to which historian you read, as most of the more general (i admit) histories i've read tend to not really delve into that transitional phase where heavy armor faded out in favor of lighter cavalry and more less armored infantry (late ren i believe).

Moonduck · 10-28-2003, 03:51 PM

Yeah, you have a strong point on which historian one reads. Please post if you find that book. My exposure to Musashi is limited to a couple of different translations of Bo5R and the typical blurbs you read in texts that mention him in passing.

10-26-2003, 12:20 PM	#41 (permalink)
iktoweya These pretzels are making me thirsty!! Location: 105B	here's my go at this. From reading the rest of the posts here it is hard to say who would actually take the win. It would differ between each battle of course. As the two would face each other one of them after a while will make a fatal error in turn giving the other individual the upper hand. In example: Knights - Have their broad sword and a shield. However when they swing their broad sword, should the miss they leave them selves open on their sword side for a small amount of time. Time enough for a fatal strike fro a samurai. Samurai - Well they are seriously weak in armor so most attacks that connect will indeed be fatal and the clanging of swords will surely put their smaller probably weaker katanas at rest. IMHO of course __________________ i miss K-Wise

10-26-2003, 09:14 PM	#42 (permalink)
Fire Warrior Smith Location: missouri	I have often wondered why the japenese did not develope shields as the europeans did- having sparred extensively, i agree with moonduck that shields are a BIG factor- have noted that eastern styles emphasise avoidance of the enemy's strikes, but seems unususal that shields are (pretty much) absent - have no where near the experience with eastern weapons as w/western so does anyone know why the divergence? __________________ Thought the harder, Heart the bolder, Mood the more as our might lessens

10-28-2003, 12:38 PM	#44 (permalink)
krazixs Psycho Location: courtin in the kitchen	Sorry Moonduck, for not responding earlier to your posts regarding my own (i check this board infrequently at best), anyway I will find you that book I read in the room my wife refers to as "The Cave of No return" or garage as I like to call it. As to the response on modernizing military tactics, i think it comes down to which historian you read, as most of the more general (i admit) histories i've read tend to not really delve into that transitional phase where heavy armor faded out in favor of lighter cavalry and more less armored infantry (late ren i believe). __________________ The Kender in your party has just screamed in fear. Please roll a d20 to see how many of your body parts are still identifiable.

10-26-2003, 11:34 PM	#43 (permalink)
Moonduck Junkie Location: SE USA	Mindset? I dunno. The reason the Samurai wore the armour that they did was due to lack of easily accessible iron ore deposits. The primary reason why European society advanced so quickly in hard tech was extremely easy to mine iron and other metals. I would personally think that the amazing things the Japanese were doing with lacquered wood (their lacquers were stunningly good) would've produced wonderful shields. Admittedly, the romantic ideal of the samurai is such that they had zero concern for defense, only concern for offense. Such a mind would not think about shields as it would be unworthy. The common soldier however would be highly interested in preserving life and limb. It is an interesting question and bears looking into!

10-28-2003, 03:51 PM	#45 (permalink)
Moonduck Junkie Location: SE USA	Yeah, you have a strong point on which historian one reads. Please post if you find that book. My exposure to Musashi is limited to a couple of different translations of Bo5R and the typical blurbs you read in texts that mention him in passing.