Here is a sparring video between the two weapons: th-cam.com/video/_gndIJnmS5o/w-d-xo.html Though the rapierist is using both cut and thrust while Matt’s rapier seems to be highly thrust centric
*FINALLY* someone is addressing a serious source of anxiety for me. I actually considered replacing my rapier, even if only to stop people from calling me a rapierist.
Count me interested in the reverse, as the katana against the rapier. I feel there's going to be a lot of interesting and quite focused efforts at deflection, pushing the rapier out of the way.
Well, the theory is rather simple, problem is putting it into practice. You need to be aggressive and close that gap. There's no way you're winning a duel against a rapier fencer while keeping your distance; you're basically getting yourself into a spear vs longsword situation: the advisable move is getting close enough to turn the rapier's strength against it, and if you pull it off it will usually work out well for you. There's just one small, pointy and very possible problem: daggers. A rapier usually comes with a dagger, and this means you can't get THAT close. However, if you're asking about dealing exclusively with a rapier, the best course of action is to deflect a strike or hit the blade to the side, and immediately get close enough to deliver a cut. Do have in mind that a rapier is flexible and nibble; it will be back after you immediately if the fencer is a skilled one. Want a way more simple solution? Wear heavy armor. Bit unfair too
@@jenssylvesterwesemann7980It would probably get in the way of various techniques and eliminate the strength/leverage advantage a two handed blade offers. If you want to double-wield, you need a Tantō or a Wakizashi: shorter blades that essentially fulfill the same role as fencing daggers. If your opponent is only using a rapier and you're versed in Daishō, you could use it to your advantage.
@@addictedtochocolate920About eight year's ago, I had a cup hilt rapier made by Arms 'n Armor,when they were still making that model and able to pound out the cup. I requested a 42" blade length, it was a very well made sword, I also requested a slightly shorter grip. When your arm is extended with 42" of thrust centric point, only a fool would try to chop his way through. I also mentioned most rapierists carried Maine Gauches to finish the job, a trained swordsman would go for Arterial areas.
My teacher called that following the blade it's probably the worst thing you can do against someone with a rapier especially if you have the shorter weapon. The weight of the guard brings the weight all the way back to your hand so you only need a small movement to replace your point so trying to displace it would be pointless, you'd be best aiming to cut into it for a bind but it's still a lot better suited to cutting or thrusting from there than you'd be
Mr. Easton, I've been watching for years but rarely comment. I love your channel so much. Not only are you incredibly well-read and experienced/knowledgeable in the topics you cover, you never actually (as far as I know) show a bias towards any one particular school of combat, culture, weapon, etc. You never "fanboy out", if you will, about anything and your content covers such a wide variety of weapons/cultures. Moreover, your genuine passion for the topics is always so evident in every video. I just wanted to thank you so much for the hours of education and entertainment! Thank you for all that you do :)
I would say he fanboys out on all weapon types equally. I would say that he fanboys out on any new strange sword he adds to his collection, be it British, Indian, Afgan, Philipino, etc... Bonus points if it's wootz, because wootz ;) Not fanboying out in the sense of not being objective, but fanboying out in the sense of "look at how cool this weird/strange/non-regulation weapon that I just added to my collection is"
Of course he is bias and he shows it at times. That said, I agree that he does a pretty good job of showing respect and doing what he can to limit how his bias impacts the lessons. Everyone is bias. I'm bias towards the katana and I admit the rapier has the edge in a duel, because I've practiced swordfighting for years. I'd still pick the katana and fight any other swordsman. That doesn't mean I don't respect the skill and ability of those who are skilled with a rapier. I think he has respect for people like me who practice Japanese swordsmanship, even if he has bias against it because he trains in HEMA. He knows someone with a katana could still kill him but he feels confident with his sword of choice. Same with me, of course the rapier could kill me, and has a reach advantage, but I'd still feel confident squaring off against one with a katana
I recently watched an interesting couple of videos on the anatomy of a headshot (with a gun). One of the points was that, in cases where people have survived, the chances were vastly increased by the bullet traversing from front to back, or vice versa. Wounds that pass from one hemisphere of the brain into the other are far more deadly. I wonder how much this translates to thrusting blade wounds. You hear stories of people surviving metal bars embedded in their heads. It may be that a thrust through the face, into the brain, isn't as guaranteed a stopping blow as casual common sense might lead one to assume.
@@Murdo2112I think you're confusing stopping blows with lethal blows. Have you ever seen video footage of people with pointy metal bits protruding through their faces? They really can't do much, I imagine they can barely even register anything through all the shock and overwhelming adrenaline high.
@@Murdo2112 don't take me as an expert on physical trauma and what human beings can accomplish under extreme duress, ofc, but it seemed like a distinction worth noting to me 👌
As a Kenjutsu practitioner i would appreciate a "how to beat a rapier with a katana without going into kys mode", but I'm guessing it's just gonna involve closing the gap and avoiding getting a punctured lung with high levels of luck and skill.
I think a lot of people try not to get HIT or CUT and that’s why they never rush their opponents, when that’d exactly what you should do against a rapier that doesn’t hit or cut as easily as a saber
If it's like longsword against rapier, the katana should be able to use the greater leverage & strength of the two-handed grip to parry, beat, & deflect the rapier. The significantly shorter blade on the katana would make this more difficult.
@@b.h.abbott-motley2427this can be done... With an O-katana or a Nodachi, but not with your regular sized, edo-period katana, at least not that easily. I mean, if you give me a Nodachi this becomes a whole new kind of discussion entirely, and i do have many ideas(?
@@addictedtochocolate920 what school of kenjutsu do you study? Do they teach or have kata on how to fight against a spear? If so you can use similar principles against the rapier
It's not only a problem of the length of the blade, but also that katana is generally most effective if handled with both hands. So not only is the blade shorter, but also the reach. And if the rapierist is also holding a dagger or the like in his other hand it is possible to catch the katana or stab and slice the katana-wielder scoured on your rapier.
Thank god I found this! All I own is a rapier and I’ve been afraid to go to a nearby mall because everyone there carries katanas! But seriously, however inapplicable the situation you present may be to modernity, you use it to share deep and insightful conclusions I could never arrive at myself.
Everyone at the mall, or flea market are "katana expert's " and watched "Kill Bill" too many times. Historical texts are the best methods to study how both Rapiers/sides words and Katana's and various Samurai weapons were used. I do remember there was an Iron rod with an upper guard catcher that was wrapped in cord, that Japanese police used to stop a Katana...forgot the name, but it looked effective.
Japanese police had all kinds of stuff if some of the historical art I’ve seen is to believed. One of them was a polearm that had a head set 90 degrees (like a groundskeepers rake) and barbs all over it. Supposedly they used them to catch the ample robes of samurai and pin them to a wall or whatever, all outside of sword reach.
@@JamesRowlandsRocks I suspect it's also the 25-foot rule. Pikes are pretty slow (they're both heavy and rather awkward, due to their length) and probably very difficult to control while running, due to the very, _very_ distant point of balance.
The 21 foot rule was established in a court case using Chuck Norris attaching a police officer with his gun holstered. A cop shot an unarmed man who took a karate stance about 20 ft away and said he felt threatened. If a world champion martial artists attacks the average person from 21 feet away, he gets hit before he can draw the gun. This distance can be adjusted if the man with the gun is Jerry Michalak. "21 feet" is all hyperbole.
Como ya comenté en el vídeo anterior, estos dos tipos de espadas ya se probaron en los combates entre los tercios de Filipinas contra piratas japoneses. El rango, la movilidad y la versatilidad de la ropera española de 2 filos que se usaron ( también hay de 1 solo filo) fueron decisivas contra las katanas japonesas. Aunque se presente como un arma de estocada, la ropera, aunque no llega ni de lejos a la capacidad de corte de la katana) tenía el filo suficiente para, aprovechando su movilidad, causar pequeñas heridas que debilitaban al oponente, sobre todo en las manos poco protegidas, lo cual dificultaba el manejo al rival
Again (!): Historically, from the late 16th century and especially following the Sengoku Jidai (ie after ca. 1615), samurai would be carrying daishō. Modern Kobudo (Japanese martial arts dating from after 1868) - like most Iaidō-schools (post 1932) - don’t necessarily have much (if ANY) focus on practice with two swords. Traditional Ko-ryū, however, DO often provide training in dual sword-techniques - to some extent or other. Historical evidence thus do suggest, that a Sengoku- or Edo-period samurai could have deployed his shōtō (tantō or wakizashi) in conjunction with his daitō (tachi or katana) in order to improve his odds against an opponent with a range-advantage. Such as a European rapier-wielder. Including parrying the rapier, before cutting down (!) said European rapier-wielder. Of course, the rapier-wielder could be brandishing a dagger of his own - though it would probably be much shorter than a standard wakizashi…(!). It doesn’t make much sense to look at this scenario, solely from a HEMA-perspective… 🤔🎓 The historical samurai-class developed martial arts schools (Ko-ryū), teaching combined weapons techniques - including fencing (kenjutsu) - both for battlefield use against armoured adversaries; and techniques against foes without armour (in peacetime). Kenjutsu, after all, is more than vertical, diagonal and horizontal cutting, combined with guttural growls and shrill screams (as most reasonable people thankfully know…) 😁 ⚔️🤓
I wonder why they didnt use the Sai? Its better suited to the task with those quillons. I guess it was only used on Okinawa? The left hand dagger or main gauche can be used in conjunction with the rapier as well, a purpose made off hand weapon with blade trapping quillons,look at things like the the Sail Dagger and Sword Breaker as well, not to mention wheel lock pistols...
@@Kinetic.44 I agree; and this was kinda my point! ☺️ There are several ways to use "left hand" techniques - and the Japanese developed several (!) of their own. Few truly skilled samurai would have just "kamikaze"d themselves into a competent foreign warrior’s sharp, pointed weapon. That’s both preposterous - and ahistorical (!)… Just as Matt is a proponent of looking at the historical sources for HEMA; I point to real traditional Ko-ryū. Both traditions can learn great lessons from each other, that I wholeheartedly believe! ☺️
@@muthpeterpatrikI would assume, that because the katana has a lot of weight on the blade, if the katana user is trusting, the rapier will have a hard time deflecting it, also the katana has a few one handed trusts with the left hand, giving the katana user a surprising amount of reach
@@dylanpagliaccetti6758 I dont practice neither weapons, but afaik the rapier has superior reach and manuverability, I don't think that there can be a really fast thrust made by the katana. In the book of five rings Mushashi wrote :" there is no fast way to wield the long sword(katana)" But as I said Im just guessing here.
If the katana user gets to use two hands, shouldn't the rapier user get a buckler or dagger for their off hand? Only fair lol I think that is also the easy answer to this videos question. The samurai is implayed on the rapier and the rapier user defends with a secondary weapon or finishes the dude off.
I have actually participated in this matchup. I was giving a rapier seminar to kendo students in Japan and they eventually (as people are wont to do) felt the need to test themselves with their shinai against my rapier. They would inevitably charge but reach of my rapier combined with a lightning lunge to the mask was extraordinarily effective at stopping everything. Wherever the head goes, the body must follow.
The problem is they are kendo and not kenjutsu. The shinai have little in common with a katana as they lack the curve. Real katana technique has more subtleties and angles
@@davefletch3063 not just that but a katana with proper weight can use it’s levers and easily manipulate the rapiers point. Shinai do not have that kind of weight/leverage
Yes kendo-ka don't really know how to fight, but I would argue that most sport fencers don't really know how to fight either. Both are a sport with rules and specific targets. Still, your point is fair. A kenjutsu practitioner would do much better in general. One of my kenjutsu/iaijutsu students went into a kendo school nearby and wiped the floor with every one of their students because they don't actually know how swords work.
With combination of shield and spear we use similar principles. 1. Keep distance using side steps (force him to change vector of his charge to lower momentum) 2. Hit his face or arm with weapon 3. Learn how to use weapon at very short distance (over head for exaple) 4. If he is closing just shorten the distance even more and use grapling skills or dagger rather than fighting in "his" distance.
4:31 Yes makes sense...stab them several times and move backwards as they bleed out! and each time they make a movement or rush in to try and cut you their heart rate will increase making them bleed even faster and die quicker.
Just started the video, but I already know the answer: "Stick 'em with the pointy end." I am looking forward to a more difficult to answer question next time...
I would definitely be interested in seeing how the katana wielder could win. I like seeing mismatched weapons and figuring out how one could out maneuver the other.
By knocking the rapier blade far off the center and charging in to close the distance, because despite the reach advantage, the rapier has a disadvantage in leverage, due to being a one-handed sword with a longer blade balanced closer to the hilt, while the katana, being a two-handed sword with a shorter blade balanced further from the hilt, will have a leverage disadvantage: thrusts with a rapier can be knocked aside relatively more easily than the rapier can parry cuts from a katana. These videos demonstrate this quite well, the participants are almost evenly matched, and both depict and explain how the reach advantage and the leverage disadvantage of the rapier cancel each other out, leaving personal skill the determining factor th-cam.com/video/jcwoBVUqlW0/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/_gndIJnmS5o/w-d-xo.html
Oh bother, I've got rapier blade stuck in me head... I've got a rapier blade stuck in my head, I guess Bob is your uncle? Rapier in me head? Well that takes the biscuits. Or even, rapier in the head, its gone all pear shaped. -> did I use those correctly there🙄🙄🤣🤣😠😠😎😎
Looks like there’s plenty of interest… add me to the list. When the Portuguese visited Japan, what kinds of swords would they have brought with them to test against Japanese swordsmen? Do we have detailed records of something like that?
I’d thrust, backpedal, while using Meyer’s Cross-guard defence with Rapier & Dagger. Then while riposting with a thrust or cut, hold-off their Katana, aborting with Rapier when needed, to again use Cross-guard, then Riposting while Holding-off with dagger. This is basically how I fence with Rapier & Dagger anyway and it all works because of decent perception and measure control - no super-powers needed! 😂
Ok guys, these pirates are coming at us with their katanas, so this is the plan: We are gonna POKE and RUN, POKE and run, and pivot, pivot pivot (read with Ross' voice)
I want to know if the Azeem sword is a real thing. For those of you who don't know the Azeem sword is the sword Morgan Freeman use in the movie Robin Hood prince of Thieves. I have legitimately been looking for one of those swords ever since I saw that movie when I was a kid and I have yet to find one. I can have one made easily it's just.... I want to know if it's historically accurate. If there were actual swords made like that and what they were primarily used for. And possibly where I could get an authentic antique version.
i think you missed that an katana is also an able stabber, so thinking that the katana wielder will mostly do an long windup slash, when he obviously know he's against an longer weapon isn't likely, also, 9:01 when you block, if you don't step back, the reach advantage is nulled, since the rapier needs distance to be in it's effective range, and in the effective range of the katana, and the rapier falls out of it's effective range since the point is harder to extend, just think of it like boxing, the longer armed boxer has the advantage if he maintains his distance, but if the shorter armed boxer dodges the strike, he can move in with more effective strikes. the rapier is all about effective range, since in closer quarter the rapier becomes awkward, as it's not an powerful chopper, even when sharpened, it's an 80/20 stabber/chopper meanwhile the katana, is like an 40/60, which is an balanced stabber/chopper sword. point is, i don't see any able swordsman that'll open up their guard, and use an low ranged, high wind up slash when the rapier is in the way, instead i think the katana user will try to hit the rapier out of the way, or wait for an opening before going for an stab, or an quick wrist slash with the guard still up. 2:23 lastly, people who practice kendo, aren't exactly realistic katana swordsmen, and are very different then kenjutsu.
Great video Matt. I would definitely tune in for your insights on making the most of the katana in a katana vs. rapier match. I have not studied HEMA but I have practiced some Japanese Kobudo and the prevailing wisdom of the dojo could be summed up as "longer really is better." :) The concepts you presented in this video are remarkably consistent with my weapons training.
The problem is, he isn't really a katana guy. I mean, he knows some basics and respects the sword I'm sure, but just watching him hold and cut with it, it is clear it isn't his weapon of choice.
After watching this as always excellent video, both might die. The rapierist right there with missing body parts, and the katana maybe a few days to a few weeks later from infection from the stab. As far as all out winning, it'd be in the case where duelist is much better than the other, weapon would not matter.
The brutality of combat is not going to allow you to stand there and have a duel in most cases. Thousands of screaming and dying men on the battlefield backing up you're going to fall over a died or dying man or beast exposing the man on your right and left to being cut down. You are going to have to stand there "in ranks" and take it unless ordered otherwise by an officer. Tactics of the era matter.
I find it just really out of keeping with the traditions both of Bushido and chivalry to take such an excruciatingly long time to expire after having fairly and honestly lost a fight
Managing your space and distance is important for any fight armed or unarmed but in this situation definately Whoever has the Katana should be set on closing the gap and taking up as much space as possible, Rapiers like that are at their best at full reach and it isn't that easy to use one to parry heavier blows so press the attack don't give them any room
These two videos are an adequate depiction of both weapons in sparring th-cam.com/video/jcwoBVUqlW0/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/_gndIJnmS5o/w-d-xo.html
When I was in sport fencing 🤺 with Epee I loved retreating a few times to draw them in and then unleashing my full 6’4” in a lunge to the mask. Definitely made my opponent adjust their spacing
Not well... the Portuguese sailors just ran through the Japanese Samurai in duels when they arrived. These were merely sailors who liked dueling not soldiers, duelists, or weapon masters that would be the equivalent investment of skill to Samurai. The Katana might have been the only non-European weapon that was seen to hold value in the whole world that Europeans found... but it was a backhanded compliment at best for that, the Katana was seen as a great "noob" weapon that could be used fairly effectively by ill trained user.
@@nationalsocialism3504 being seen as a “noob weapon” is a modern thing in the hema community; no historical records mention such thing. Also they (from what I know) never got into duels with each other as the sailors were there to trade and any fighting would ruin trade opportunities. An example of this was the Miyanomae incident which ended in a groups fight resulting in the Portuguese leaving Hirado to trade in different ports
There is a video in which two koreans martial artist do this type of encounter and the user of the katana prevailed most of the fights. In the commentary, they address the ease in which the Japanese swords displaced the rapier, completely denying the reach advantage. I feel this has not been addressed at all and it is rather an important factor since it determined the outcomes of that engagement
Yeah, this video was made by weaponism, although there seems to be another longer video by a different channel as well. th-cam.com/video/jcwoBVUqlW0/w-d-xo.html - the video in question
The two-handed grip does give a leverage & strength advantage that helps with parrying, beating, deflecting, & so on. I agree Matt Easton has failed to give that sufficient mention in these videos. The reach difference still probably gives the rapier the advantage overall for unarmored single combat in the open, however.
@@b.h.abbott-motley2427 I would have argued the same but in that specific context, the amount of force required to completely push the weapon our of the way was minimal, while the effort for the rapier user to get the weapon in line was greater, giving the opportunity to the katana user to quickly close in. Clearly skill played a role but I'd say the reach advantage was pretty much nullified in that specific match
Any info on the Spanish Circle aka Destreza? The Spanish fought against Pirates who had Japanese swords so I imagine the Spanish used that fighting style.
That reminds me of when I was studying foil fencing and a Kendo student wanted to see how his bamboo shinai would fare against my practice foil. Spoiler: foils are faster.
In all honesty, no other swords like the longsword, arming sword, or sabre can outmatch the rapier in an unarmed one-on-one duel. Rapiers were intended for such fighting purposes.
Going for the face and neck areas is an excellent (and in all likelihood game-ending strategy), but what about the hand? If I was fighting against a katana wielder with a rapier, I would definitely try to target the hand/arm with quick small amplitude cuts from the outside. Hands are extremely fragile and it wouldn’t take much to disable the opponent after a couple of good hits.
Something a lot of fencers don't practice and they should. Any real swordsman knows the wrist is a primary target. If he doesn't have a functional hand, he isn't a very good swordsman.
@@wesleyviers1550 If you don't keep your opponent under threat properly then you lose. Focusing on your opponent's hand is a great way to give them a chance to kill you.
Interesting in theory but I guess it would be more historically accurate to compare the rapier with the curved ottoman swords. The Spanish and the ottoman fought a considerable number of battles, from the siege of Malta, Lepanto, Castelnuovo and many smaller battles and raids. Both contenders had developed techniques to maximize their advantages and minimize their weaknesses.
Most Rapierists would carry either a Maine Gauche, or Sail Gaurd Maine Gauche (most Preferable ) Always use point, both swordsmen can move quickly, honestly first parry , hit into soft target area, use Say Maine Gauche to sever Clavical Artery or throat. Always pray that if they cut you. It's not in any major vein or arterial area. There was an article written where several Portuguese swordsmen had killed Samurai....Again, if there are anyone who has heard or knows about the article that would be great. Seriously, I agree with Matt, the Katana is a gorgeous and very well made sword, and is an excellent cutter, no offense to those who like Katana's , Wakazashi's, No-Dachi's etc.
How hard is it to parry a Katana with a rapier? I'm not talking about doing the initially parry, but preventing the heavier weapon from crashing through, even more so when powered by two hands... I know that using a longsword for parrying a spear is already really hard. You can pretty much forget about parrying a poleaxe. Similarly, parrying swords with daggers isn't as fun as it looks in movies...
The rapier has a reach advantage but a leverage disadvantage: not only is it a one-handed sword, it also has a longer blade. The katana, which is two-handed and has a shorter blade, can knock the rapier quite far off the center, which would give the samurai a chance to rush in. Likewise, cuts from a katana would be difficult to parry with a rapier, for the same reasons. These two videos demonstrate this quite well. th-cam.com/video/jcwoBVUqlW0/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/_gndIJnmS5o/w-d-xo.html
Can't cut? Not always. More often then not, swords wont cut through swords. Can it happen? Yes. Is it likely? No. But 'never'? Not true. Not al metal is created & treated equally.
Thinking on this topic a second time... Honestly it's the same issue an arming sword has against a spear or well a rapier or a two-handed sword in some cases. And if you are the one with the longer weapon your goal is always to control the biggest advantage you have which is reach. Subsequently that means that timing anything wrong, hitting a part that isn't immediately fatal, not having the strength and stamina or stay on par, misjudging distance, failure of technique to angle, or being lured into a disadvantage are all factors that could lead to your demise. In western treatise for instance a person might take their cloak and use it in their off hand in place of a knife to act as an impromptu buckler, sword catch, parry, or to blind their opponent in a critical moment. Any opponent with a shorter weapon could try the same, ultimately presenting a target that getting hit isn't fatal enough of a loss to overcome the reach advantage. Just because you can thrust and reach doesn't mean you'll always hit. Nor does it mean your hits will be fatal. In the context of a duel by first blood or contact then obviously a longer weapon could get away with something without much commitment. But if it was a duel to the death, and both are unarmored, all non-fatal wounds are meaningless. You could look at the film Rob Roy (1995) as an example, where a much longer and lighter blade poked holes in the protagonist all day, but in the end his basket hilt broadsword cut down his foe who tired and made a fatal error. Coming full circle the one with the long poker wants the put the point through something critical. And the one who doesn't want to be a pin cushion wants to get past the point. It's a matchup as old as time.
Also, good rapier swordsmen are extremely fast in all directions. If they have a place like an arena fight, they will never take risk like blocking, reposting, etc. The rapier will just punch from a safe distance while he chats on his phone :) Outside of our arena, things change drastically.
Great information as always Matt, thanks. I was wondering how much would change if the samurai was fully armored and the rapierist had breast / back plate and helmet . Conqestodor armor so to speak. Could the rapier punch thru Japanese armor. Or would it be a face and exposed arm duel .lol just wondering your thought. Cheers from new Jersey.
Later high-grade Japanese armor (tosei gusoku) was based on a breastplate strong enough to withstand bullets, so at least for the torso area, both COULD have similar levels of protection.
With the angled thrust and block as shown, how do you keep from losing your sword from that angled cut? If the samurai moves with the weapon before his body as is supposed to be the case the katana will impact and push the blade out of the way and your wrist position is at a weak hand position, the pressure could/ would tear the sword from your grip as shown
I mean, the Japanese solution to getting in close with their Katana is by wearing armour. However, this was obviously not as effective in the age of gunpowder.
I had a wife that was an emergency room nurse in big city hospital Saw many knife wounds , one time these guys get into a fight over a card game. The one got stabbed in his side with a large butcher knife. Cut his heart in two pieces The guy still ran down a flight of Stairs and half way across a parking lot before dropping over I was stabbed by an ice pick and didn’t even know it till I saw it sticking out of me.
With your heart bisected blood pressure drops to zero almost instantly and in a second or two unconsciousness. The guy might have been stabbed and ran and fallen on the knife and then "cut his heart in two pieces."
SEE! got so many haters in the last video where i said i still dont fancy stabbing a samurai because of potential head-lopping capabilities. They were all acting as if it was insta-kill and i was simply saying, no it aint and they're still dangerous even if you stab them. This is why Matt has to explain the measures to take because if you don't take angry samurai stuck on the end of your sword in to account, you're gunna have a bad day
An issue not mentioned in the video is that the rapier is a one-handed weapon versus a katana, which is a two-handed weapon. This means that the rapierist has the luxury of using a buckler or other shield in their off hand; wheras the katana weilder has no such option.
Having the sword with better reach is one of the main reason that Miyamoto Musashi used a boat Oar to kill Sasaki Kojiro in their famous duel. As it it is well known Sasaki Kojiro uses a very long sword and uses one swift strike to kill his opponent in duels. Musashi specializes in using two handed sword to fight against multiple opponents but their sword length put him into a disadvantage. Therefore, he uses a boat Oar and shaved it up in the proper size and length. The other reason is to sort of insult Kojiro by using only a wooden sword to fight him, psych him up. According to accounts/legend, both swordsmen each struck one swift blow at the same time. Sasaki Kojiro’s sword just sliced off the Musashi’s head band, barely missing his head, while Musashi’s wooden sword was just enough length that it’s tip struck Kojiro’s Forehead, breaking his skull, killing him.
The next time I am attacked by a man with a katana and I am armed only with my rapier, I will be glad I watched this video. It happens a lot in my area.
Yes yes, all of this makes sense. But I still wonder what might George Silver and his followers say on the topic of fighting a rapier with slightly smaller and more cutting design weapon. .... )))
Silver's "short sword" had a 37-40in blade according to his specifications, so it was about as long as the rapier in this video. I do think his advice for fencing sword & dagger against rapier & dagger provides insight here. Despite his bravado against the rapier, his detailed instructions say to be careful because the rapier is dangerous, keep your sword close to the rapier, & cut or thrust instantly after parrying or defecting the rapier.
Of course. And anyone who'd say not to be extra careful when fighting against a rapier is in my opinion delusional. I dislike the weapon for its rather only dueling nature, but i still have respect for anyone who practices it. It just that after this video, the only thing in my head was a picture of G. Silver shouting and hour long rant about people with rapiers and how he would cut them down with the just move of his wrist.
That's a good question. A katana is a battlefield weapon, and thus it's meant to be able to handle armored opponents. In contrast, the rapier is a civilian weapon intended for use with unarmored civilians. One could argue back and forth about how a rapier could circumvent armor, but the bottom line is that whenever you use a tool for something other than its intended purpose, you're usually going to have a bad time.
Maybe another video on secondary weapons carried by each type of fighter, Left hand dagger and Wakizashi. I think it would be interesting to look at style of two weapon fighting used at the time by the combatants to give them different offense and defense options.
It's no comparison the left hand dagger ( mein gauche) is a purpose made weapon, quillions that trap the opposing blade not mention things like the sword breaker and sail dagger
I was think of style or tactic of using the sword as defense and the dagger as offense when the Samurai closes the distance. Also look at two hand vs one hand from both points of view. the fact is that alot of time a dagger and Wakizashi were carried with the their matching sword so maybe at hand during a fight. options change things sometimes. @@Kinetic.44
You have a longer blade, stab them. Sane people are the ones who stop after being shot once. It's the guys who'll eat a mag dump and keep coming you need to worry about.
Quick question, how hard is it for a two handed sword to push the single handed sword out of the way? If you were to try and block a two handed sword (any two handed sword, not just a Katana) with a rapier wouldn't leverage just push through your guard?
Leverage is a big advantage for a two-handed grip. It may allow blowing through some parries, but well-executed one with the forte of the rapier will stop any strike from a katana, longsword, or similar. However, the kantana or other two-handed sword can effectively push the rapier around at length (away from the forte), deflecting thrusts, binding, beating, & so on.
You assume blocks are static, but in swordsmanship, this is rarely the case unless fully reactionary and will probably end up with you wounded or dead.
@@wesleyviers1550 I hear what you are saying, but the cut didn't stop just because you want it to either. The question is how easy would it be to push a rapier block off line with the extra leverage of a two handed sword.
I wonder if Nito ryu might work. If you have a pair of weapons, katana and wakizashi, could that help counter the katana's length advantage. Thinking of that makes me think of Musashi's answer to a lnger weapon. Hit the guy with a boat oar.
The boat oar reminds me the quarter staff, the simple big stick was out ranging swordsmen and smashing helmets all over the world for a long time in many forms. Dont forget about the left hand parrying dagger or mein gauche for the rapier user, check out the sail dagger and sword breaker the wakasashi doesn't come close.
Musashi also said that niten was for battlefield swordsmanship. You generally use a single sword for a 1 on 1 fight. I've trained in both and I'd definitely prefer a single sword in a duel.
Great video! What about a katana vs a similar blade length military saber in a civilian self-defense situation? I'd imagine the katana has a defensive advantage due to a two-handed grip and a stiff and heavy blade. The saber would have the offensive reach advantage due to it being one-handed and held further away from the body. The katana's game plan would probably be block or deflect the saber's cut, then close in for a powerful two-handed cut that the saber man can't defend as easily. The katana would probably be better indoors/confined spaces due to the two-handed sword being held closer to the body than the one-handed saber. Also, what about katana and wakizashi vs rapier and dagger? The kat/wak could both be used to parry/deflect the rapier at range, then close in where the offensive capabilities of the kat/wak would far outweigh the rapier/dagger.
My money is on the military saber due to its superior hand protection. I am personally not a fan of the katana design for that reason - very limited hand protection.
Yeah, that is what I’m thinking this entire katana counters to rapier discussion. The advantages of the katana of bind and cutting don’t just go away cus you using in one handed and just you don’t have a dedicated offensive , defensive implement doesn’t mean you can’t improvise one. Just that the traditional sort of standard of using the katana is especially bad start to use against a rapier. Hell, this is dodge cus is a video game but it is basically a fencing stimulator, but hellish quart shows this in broadsword versus rapier. It is doesn’t take much ommph to redirect a lunge or a stab, you don’t need two hands on it. I’ll link the video asap
i practiced kendo about fifty years ago. in single combat, the rapier will more often be effective. your advice is excellent. one point that you might have overlooked is that the 'kote' (wrist) is one of the most common attacks in kendo. the range advantage to head or torso attacks favors the rapier, but the range of the katana to the wrist is much shorter. i would not like to face a rapier with a katana, but the wrist would completely stop the rapier attack. as to disabling ONE arm of the kendoist might not incapacitate him sufficiently. one of the long range kendo attacks uses only the 'weak' hand, it is almost ballistic. i would NOT like to take that chance, however.
Matt, I don't know how good are you fencing, but I have to say that your english pronounciation is simply top class, one of the best or just the best I have heard in TH-cam
Can you kindly make a video of the moro in the philippines...... their badass...... find a clip where they charge soldiers using their kriss..... you'll be amazed.......
@@batteredwarrior not enough to avoid a forward moving attack. He isnt going for your sword he is going for your neck or torso. Your retraction of the blade will just pull him in the same timing, unless where you hit impedes his movement. The drawback of the fine tip of the rapier is it doesn't create catastrophic injury for the most part. No system shock.
![[Live] ศึกมหึมันส์มวยไทยสังเวียนเดือด เวทีมวยชั่วคราวสวนสยาม | จันทร์ 30 กันยายน 2567](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/pM1k6f7JXUc/mqdefault.jpg)
It would be great to see a demonstration of these principals with HEMA practice sessions.
I agree, it would be cool
Here is a sparring video between the two weapons: th-cam.com/video/_gndIJnmS5o/w-d-xo.html
Though the rapierist is using both cut and thrust while Matt’s rapier seems to be highly thrust centric
Thank you!
AHF have done that a few times. Here's one: th-cam.com/video/IF2wLZBUEi4/w-d-xo.html
There's quite a few of them I think.
*FINALLY* someone is addressing a serious source of anxiety for me. I actually considered replacing my rapier, even if only to stop people from calling me a rapierist.
Count me interested in the reverse, as the katana against the rapier.
I feel there's going to be a lot of interesting and quite focused efforts at deflection, pushing the rapier out of the way.
Well, the theory is rather simple, problem is putting it into practice.
You need to be aggressive and close that gap. There's no way you're winning a duel against a rapier fencer while keeping your distance; you're basically getting yourself into a spear vs longsword situation: the advisable move is getting close enough to turn the rapier's strength against it, and if you pull it off it will usually work out well for you.
There's just one small, pointy and very possible problem: daggers. A rapier usually comes with a dagger, and this means you can't get THAT close. However, if you're asking about dealing exclusively with a rapier, the best course of action is to deflect a strike or hit the blade to the side, and immediately get close enough to deliver a cut. Do have in mind that a rapier is flexible and nibble; it will be back after you immediately if the fencer is a skilled one.
Want a way more simple solution? Wear heavy armor. Bit unfair too
I wonder if using the saya as an off-hand weapon would make sense.
@@jenssylvesterwesemann7980It would probably get in the way of various techniques and eliminate the strength/leverage advantage a two handed blade offers.
If you want to double-wield, you need a Tantō or a Wakizashi: shorter blades that essentially fulfill the same role as fencing daggers. If your opponent is only using a rapier and you're versed in Daishō, you could use it to your advantage.
@@addictedtochocolate920About eight year's ago, I had a cup hilt rapier made by Arms 'n Armor,when they were still making that model and able to pound out the cup. I requested a 42" blade length, it was a very well made sword, I also requested a slightly shorter grip. When your arm is extended with 42" of thrust centric point, only a fool would try to chop his way through. I also mentioned most rapierists carried Maine Gauches to finish the job, a trained swordsman would go for Arterial areas.
My teacher called that following the blade it's probably the worst thing you can do against someone with a rapier especially if you have the shorter weapon.
The weight of the guard brings the weight all the way back to your hand so you only need a small movement to replace your point so trying to displace it would be pointless, you'd be best aiming to cut into it for a bind but it's still a lot better suited to cutting or thrusting from there than you'd be
Mr. Easton, I've been watching for years but rarely comment. I love your channel so much. Not only are you incredibly well-read and experienced/knowledgeable in the topics you cover, you never actually (as far as I know) show a bias towards any one particular school of combat, culture, weapon, etc. You never "fanboy out", if you will, about anything and your content covers such a wide variety of weapons/cultures. Moreover, your genuine passion for the topics is always so evident in every video. I just wanted to thank you so much for the hours of education and entertainment! Thank you for all that you do :)
Yes, i always love Matt's Matter-of-fact, neutral approach. Makes it my favorite channel from the swords community.
I would say he fanboys out on all weapon types equally. I would say that he fanboys out on any new strange sword he adds to his collection, be it British, Indian, Afgan, Philipino, etc... Bonus points if it's wootz, because wootz ;) Not fanboying out in the sense of not being objective, but fanboying out in the sense of "look at how cool this weird/strange/non-regulation weapon that I just added to my collection is"
Of course he is bias and he shows it at times. That said, I agree that he does a pretty good job of showing respect and doing what he can to limit how his bias impacts the lessons. Everyone is bias. I'm bias towards the katana and I admit the rapier has the edge in a duel, because I've practiced swordfighting for years. I'd still pick the katana and fight any other swordsman. That doesn't mean I don't respect the skill and ability of those who are skilled with a rapier. I think he has respect for people like me who practice Japanese swordsmanship, even if he has bias against it because he trains in HEMA. He knows someone with a katana could still kill him but he feels confident with his sword of choice. Same with me, of course the rapier could kill me, and has a reach advantage, but I'd still feel confident squaring off against one with a katana
I love the way Matt spends so much time explaining why stabbing someone in the face is a reliable way to stop them. Thanks for the video!
I thought it was the funniest part of the video. Like... duh, lol.
I recently watched an interesting couple of videos on the anatomy of a headshot (with a gun).
One of the points was that, in cases where people have survived, the chances were vastly increased by the bullet traversing from front to back, or vice versa.
Wounds that pass from one hemisphere of the brain into the other are far more deadly.
I wonder how much this translates to thrusting blade wounds.
You hear stories of people surviving metal bars embedded in their heads.
It may be that a thrust through the face, into the brain, isn't as guaranteed a stopping blow as casual common sense might lead one to assume.
@@Murdo2112I think you're confusing stopping blows with lethal blows. Have you ever seen video footage of people with pointy metal bits protruding through their faces? They really can't do much, I imagine they can barely even register anything through all the shock and overwhelming adrenaline high.
Hmm, maybe.
Was just something I was wondering.
@@Murdo2112 don't take me as an expert on physical trauma and what human beings can accomplish under extreme duress, ofc, but it seemed like a distinction worth noting to me 👌
“The effect of having a blade stuck in the middle of your face would, I think, make it quite difficult to keep moving forward.” -Matt Easton, 2023.
Wikipedia: *citation needed*
As a Kenjutsu practitioner i would appreciate a "how to beat a rapier with a katana without going into kys mode", but I'm guessing it's just gonna involve closing the gap and avoiding getting a punctured lung with high levels of luck and skill.
I think a lot of people try not to get HIT or CUT and that’s why they never rush their opponents, when that’d exactly what you should do against a rapier that doesn’t hit or cut as easily as a saber
If it's like longsword against rapier, the katana should be able to use the greater leverage & strength of the two-handed grip to parry, beat, & deflect the rapier. The significantly shorter blade on the katana would make this more difficult.
@@ArfooHuroorather not get turned into Skewered meat
@@b.h.abbott-motley2427this can be done... With an O-katana or a Nodachi, but not with your regular sized, edo-period katana, at least not that easily.
I mean, if you give me a Nodachi this becomes a whole new kind of discussion entirely, and i do have many ideas(?
@@addictedtochocolate920 what school of kenjutsu do you study? Do they teach or have kata on how to fight against a spear? If so you can use similar principles against the rapier
It's not only a problem of the length of the blade, but also that katana is generally most effective if handled with both hands. So not only is the blade shorter, but also the reach. And if the rapierist is also holding a dagger or the like in his other hand it is possible to catch the katana or stab and slice the katana-wielder scoured on your rapier.
You need to keep in mind that most katana wielders also had a wakizashi in the belt, so they could try something similar.
@@amacadre - schools like the Niten Ichi-ryū taught using two weapons exactly like that.
@@amacadre And using the ni ten method they certainly would ;)
The Samurai had techniques for beating spears with a sword.
@@amacadre Yes, around the same time the rapier started to exist the japanese started requiring Samurai to carry Daisho (two swords) when on duty.
Thank god I found this! All I own is a rapier and I’ve been afraid to go to a nearby mall because everyone there carries katanas! But seriously, however inapplicable the situation you present may be to modernity, you use it to share deep and insightful conclusions I could never arrive at myself.
Everyone at the mall, or flea market are "katana expert's " and watched "Kill Bill" too many times. Historical texts are the best methods to study how both Rapiers/sides words and Katana's and various Samurai weapons were used. I do remember there was an Iron rod with an upper guard catcher that was wrapped in cord, that Japanese police used to stop a Katana...forgot the name, but it looked effective.
Japanese police had all kinds of stuff if some of the historical art I’ve seen is to believed. One of them was a polearm that had a head set 90 degrees (like a groundskeepers rake) and barbs all over it. Supposedly they used them to catch the ample robes of samurai and pin them to a wall or whatever, all outside of sword reach.
these principles are very similar to yari (spear) vs katana techniques in japanese martial arts
I think the modern 21 foot rule might have to be increased to the 25 foot rule if they have a rapier lol.
What about a pike?
@@JamesRowlandsRocks 21 mile rule.
@@JamesRowlandsRocks I suspect it's also the 25-foot rule. Pikes are pretty slow (they're both heavy and rather awkward, due to their length) and probably very difficult to control while running, due to the very, _very_ distant point of balance.
The 21 foot rule was established in a court case using Chuck Norris attaching a police officer with his gun holstered. A cop shot an unarmed man who took a karate stance about 20 ft away and said he felt threatened.
If a world champion martial artists attacks the average person from 21 feet away, he gets hit before he can draw the gun.
This distance can be adjusted if the man with the gun is Jerry Michalak.
"21 feet" is all hyperbole.
@@electronsmove I believe this.
Como ya comenté en el vídeo anterior, estos dos tipos de espadas ya se probaron en los combates entre los tercios de Filipinas contra piratas japoneses. El rango, la movilidad y la versatilidad de la ropera española de 2 filos que se usaron ( también hay de 1 solo filo) fueron decisivas contra las katanas japonesas. Aunque se presente como un arma de estocada, la ropera, aunque no llega ni de lejos a la capacidad de corte de la katana) tenía el filo suficiente para, aprovechando su movilidad, causar pequeñas heridas que debilitaban al oponente, sobre todo en las manos poco protegidas, lo cual dificultaba el manejo al rival
Again (!):
Historically, from the late 16th century and especially following the Sengoku Jidai (ie after ca. 1615), samurai would be carrying daishō.
Modern Kobudo (Japanese martial arts dating from after 1868) - like most Iaidō-schools (post 1932) - don’t necessarily have much (if ANY) focus on practice with two swords.
Traditional Ko-ryū, however, DO often provide training in dual sword-techniques - to some extent or other.
Historical evidence thus do suggest, that a Sengoku- or Edo-period samurai could have deployed his shōtō (tantō or wakizashi) in conjunction with his daitō (tachi or katana) in order to improve his odds against an opponent with a range-advantage. Such as a European rapier-wielder. Including parrying the rapier, before cutting down (!) said European rapier-wielder. Of course, the rapier-wielder could be brandishing a dagger of his own - though it would probably be much shorter than a standard wakizashi…(!).
It doesn’t make much sense to look at this scenario, solely from a HEMA-perspective… 🤔🎓
The historical samurai-class developed martial arts schools (Ko-ryū), teaching combined weapons techniques - including fencing (kenjutsu) - both for battlefield use against armoured adversaries; and techniques against foes without armour (in peacetime). Kenjutsu, after all, is more than vertical, diagonal and horizontal cutting, combined with guttural growls and shrill screams (as most reasonable people thankfully know…) 😁 ⚔️🤓
I wonder why they didnt use the Sai? Its better suited to the task with those quillons. I guess it was only used on Okinawa?
The left hand dagger or main gauche can be used in conjunction with the rapier as well, a purpose made off hand weapon with blade trapping quillons,look at things like the the Sail Dagger and Sword Breaker as well, not to mention wheel lock pistols...
@@Kinetic.44 I agree; and this was kinda my point! ☺️
There are several ways to use "left hand" techniques - and the Japanese developed several (!) of their own.
Few truly skilled samurai would have just "kamikaze"d themselves into a competent foreign warrior’s sharp, pointed weapon. That’s both preposterous - and ahistorical (!)…
Just as Matt is a proponent of looking at the historical sources for HEMA; I point to real traditional Ko-ryū. Both traditions can learn great lessons from each other, that I wholeheartedly believe! ☺️
As a rapier wielder, I found it very challenging when katana is handled like a rapier against rapeir
How so?
@@muthpeterpatrikI would assume, that because the katana has a lot of weight on the blade, if the katana user is trusting, the rapier will have a hard time deflecting it, also the katana has a few one handed trusts with the left hand, giving the katana user a surprising amount of reach
@@dylanpagliaccetti6758 I dont practice neither weapons, but afaik the rapier has superior reach and manuverability, I don't think that there can be a really fast thrust made by the katana.
In the book of five rings Mushashi wrote :" there is no fast way to wield the long sword(katana)"
But as I said Im just guessing here.
It’s be interesting to hear Japanese perspective/accounts of European weapons! love your videos on historical accounts for perspective!
If the katana user gets to use two hands, shouldn't the rapier user get a buckler or dagger for their off hand? Only fair lol
I think that is also the easy answer to this videos question. The samurai is implayed on the rapier and the rapier user defends with a secondary weapon or finishes the dude off.
What if it's a katana made by Hattori Hanzo? I hear they can cut god. 👀
Yes please, the opposite point of view would be interesting as well.
I have actually participated in this matchup. I was giving a rapier seminar to kendo students in Japan and they eventually (as people are wont to do) felt the need to test themselves with their shinai against my rapier. They would inevitably charge but reach of my rapier combined with a lightning lunge to the mask was extraordinarily effective at stopping everything. Wherever the head goes, the body must follow.
The problem is they are kendo and not kenjutsu. The shinai have little in common with a katana as they lack the curve. Real katana technique has more subtleties and angles
@@davefletch3063 not just that but a katana with proper weight can use it’s levers and easily manipulate the rapiers point. Shinai do not have that kind of weight/leverage
Yes kendo-ka don't really know how to fight, but I would argue that most sport fencers don't really know how to fight either. Both are a sport with rules and specific targets. Still, your point is fair. A kenjutsu practitioner would do much better in general. One of my kenjutsu/iaijutsu students went into a kendo school nearby and wiped the floor with every one of their students because they don't actually know how swords work.
@@wesleyviers1550 but OP is a hema practitioner not an Olympic fencer. He gave a lecture in rapier not foil.
@@davefletch3063 no curve would save them from pointy stick in whatever area is open.
With combination of shield and spear we use similar principles.
1. Keep distance using side steps (force him to change vector of his charge to lower momentum)
2. Hit his face or arm with weapon
3. Learn how to use weapon at very short distance (over head for exaple)
4. If he is closing just shorten the distance even more and use grapling skills or dagger rather than fighting in "his" distance.
These tactics are also used in a pretty good dark souls 3 PVP set-up: Glaive/Halberd plus offhand straight sword.
Another solution or help, that was used historically, is to have shorter weapon with rapier like parrying dagger.
A couple wheel lock pistols as well...
If we're going to do that to be fair we should let whoever's got the Katana to use a Wakazashi with it, changes the situation completely
@@valandil7454 it doesn't when the the rapier user has a left hand dagger as well
Sir, regardless of whether your opponent is sporting a Katana, sticking and retreating seems a good idea.
But what if they throw a hadouken?
How does a main-gauche play into this? Or is it to light for this type of confrontation?
4:31 Yes makes sense...stab them several times and move backwards as they bleed out! and each time they make a movement or rush in to try and cut you their heart rate will increase making them bleed even faster and die quicker.
Just started the video, but I already know the answer: "Stick 'em with the pointy end." I am looking forward to a more difficult to answer question next time...
on throwing your weapon: "Only Porthos could invent a new way of disarming himself." - Aramis
I would definitely be interested in seeing how the katana wielder could win. I like seeing mismatched weapons and figuring out how one could out maneuver the other.
get stabbed in a non-lethal area... go in for the killing blow.
Katana wielder wins on the draw in most cases. And in the fight using the curvature of the blade along with committed cuts from off angles
By knocking the rapier blade far off the center and charging in to close the distance, because despite the reach advantage, the rapier has a disadvantage in leverage, due to being a one-handed sword with a longer blade balanced closer to the hilt, while the katana, being a two-handed sword with a shorter blade balanced further from the hilt, will have a leverage disadvantage: thrusts with a rapier can be knocked aside relatively more easily than the rapier can parry cuts from a katana. These videos demonstrate this quite well, the participants are almost evenly matched, and both depict and explain how the reach advantage and the leverage disadvantage of the rapier cancel each other out, leaving personal skill the determining factor
th-cam.com/video/jcwoBVUqlW0/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/_gndIJnmS5o/w-d-xo.html
@@Vlad_Tepes_III Those videos show a rapier against a 400g shinai. Shinai win against everything because they simply aren't actual weapons.
@@spicketspaghet7773 the second video didn’t use a shinai and perfectly demonstrates what @Vlad_Tepes_III said about the difference in leverage
I wouldn't mind a katana against rapier video. My guess is it would have similarities with sword vs spear.
Oh bother, I've got rapier blade stuck in me head...
I've got a rapier blade stuck in my head, I guess Bob is your uncle?
Rapier in me head? Well that takes the biscuits.
Or even, rapier in the head, its gone all pear shaped.
-> did I use those correctly there🙄🙄🤣🤣😠😠😎😎
Looks like there’s plenty of interest… add me to the list.
When the Portuguese visited Japan, what kinds of swords would they have brought with them to test against Japanese swordsmen? Do we have detailed records of something like that?
I’d thrust, backpedal, while using Meyer’s Cross-guard defence with Rapier & Dagger. Then while riposting with a thrust or cut, hold-off their Katana, aborting with Rapier when needed, to again use Cross-guard, then Riposting while Holding-off with dagger. This is basically how I fence with Rapier & Dagger anyway and it all works because of decent perception and measure control - no super-powers needed! 😂
Why even bother asking Matt, OF COURSE there's an appetite for a follow up video!
Ok guys, these pirates are coming at us with their katanas, so this is the plan: We are gonna POKE and RUN, POKE and run, and pivot, pivot pivot (read with Ross' voice)
MATT WE NEED TO SEE SUCH TECHNIQUED DEMONSTRATED LIKE " BATTLEFIELD SABRE " THE ONE YOU DID WITH PEDRO
I want to know if the Azeem sword is a real thing. For those of you who don't know the Azeem sword is the sword Morgan Freeman use in the movie Robin Hood prince of Thieves. I have legitimately been looking for one of those swords ever since I saw that movie when I was a kid and I have yet to find one. I can have one made easily it's just.... I want to know if it's historically accurate. If there were actual swords made like that and what they were primarily used for. And possibly where I could get an authentic antique version.
i think you missed that an katana is also an able stabber, so thinking that the katana wielder will mostly do an long windup slash, when he obviously know he's against an longer weapon isn't likely, also, 9:01 when you block, if you don't step back, the reach advantage is nulled, since the rapier needs distance to be in it's effective range, and in the effective range of the katana, and the rapier falls out of it's effective range since the point is harder to extend, just think of it like boxing, the longer armed boxer has the advantage if he maintains his distance, but if the shorter armed boxer dodges the strike, he can move in with more effective strikes. the rapier is all about effective range, since in closer quarter the rapier becomes awkward, as it's not an powerful chopper, even when sharpened, it's an 80/20 stabber/chopper meanwhile the katana, is like an 40/60, which is an balanced stabber/chopper sword. point is, i don't see any able swordsman that'll open up their guard, and use an low ranged, high wind up slash when the rapier is in the way, instead i think the katana user will try to hit the rapier out of the way, or wait for an opening before going for an stab, or an quick wrist slash with the guard still up. 2:23 lastly, people who practice kendo, aren't exactly realistic katana swordsmen, and are very different then kenjutsu.
Great video Matt. I would definitely tune in for your insights on making the most of the katana in a katana vs. rapier match.
I have not studied HEMA but I have practiced some Japanese Kobudo and the prevailing wisdom of the dojo could be summed up as "longer really is better." :)
The concepts you presented in this video are remarkably consistent with my weapons training.
The problem is, he isn't really a katana guy. I mean, he knows some basics and respects the sword I'm sure, but just watching him hold and cut with it, it is clear it isn't his weapon of choice.
@@wesleyviers1550 seems like he is also not a human, cause he forgot that humans have two arms. And in second one could be a dagger for example
I was scrolling down my subs and it ended up with the top half of this thumbnail. Imagine my disappointment when Matt hadn't discovered immortality...
After watching this as always excellent video, both might die. The rapierist right there with missing body parts, and the katana maybe a few days to a few weeks later from infection from the stab. As far as all out winning, it'd be in the case where duelist is much better than the other, weapon would not matter.
The brutality of combat is not going to allow you to stand there and have a duel in most cases. Thousands of screaming and dying men on the battlefield backing up you're going to fall over a died or dying man or beast exposing the man on your right and left to being cut down. You are going to have to stand there "in ranks" and take it unless ordered otherwise by an officer. Tactics of the era matter.
I find it just really out of keeping with the traditions both of Bushido and chivalry to take such an excruciatingly long time to expire after having fairly and honestly lost a fight
Here's another possibility, having something like a buckler or parrying dagger in the off hand.
I'd love to see the counter arguments. Would I be right in thinking space management is going to important for the katana wielder here?
Managing your space and distance is important for any fight armed or unarmed but in this situation definately
Whoever has the Katana should be set on closing the gap and taking up as much space as possible, Rapiers like that are at their best at full reach and it isn't that easy to use one to parry heavier blows so press the attack don't give them any room
These two videos are an adequate depiction of both weapons in sparring
th-cam.com/video/jcwoBVUqlW0/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/_gndIJnmS5o/w-d-xo.html
How effective are these 2 swords against armor? At the time, would the combative's have worn some kind of armor?
When I was in sport fencing 🤺 with Epee I loved retreating a few times to draw them in and then unleashing my full 6’4” in a lunge to the mask. Definitely made my opponent adjust their spacing
I'm pretty sure there are records of Russian swordsman being afraid of Japanese swordsman
I would be more interested in the reverse, how does the Katana wielder survive a rapier attack?
Not well... the Portuguese sailors just ran through the Japanese Samurai in duels when they arrived. These were merely sailors who liked dueling not soldiers, duelists, or weapon masters that would be the equivalent investment of skill to Samurai. The Katana might have been the only non-European weapon that was seen to hold value in the whole world that Europeans found... but it was a backhanded compliment at best for that, the Katana was seen as a great "noob" weapon that could be used fairly effectively by ill trained user.
Run away and be faster.
Reach really REALLY matters.
@nationalsocialism3504 Well we found the Nazi guys! Literally in the name!
Start the conflict up close.
Reach really, really matters
@@nationalsocialism3504 being seen as a “noob weapon” is a modern thing in the hema community; no historical records mention such thing. Also they (from what I know) never got into duels with each other as the sailors were there to trade and any fighting would ruin trade opportunities. An example of this was the Miyanomae incident which ended in a groups fight resulting in the Portuguese leaving Hirado to trade in different ports
Good thing about the rapier is it allows a free hand to hold a 1911 in 460 rowland. 😂 Splat!
There is a video in which two koreans martial artist do this type of encounter and the user of the katana prevailed most of the fights. In the commentary, they address the ease in which the Japanese swords displaced the rapier, completely denying the reach advantage.
I feel this has not been addressed at all and it is rather an important factor since it determined the outcomes of that engagement
Yeah, this video was made by weaponism, although there seems to be another longer video by a different channel as well. th-cam.com/video/jcwoBVUqlW0/w-d-xo.html - the video in question
The two-handed grip does give a leverage & strength advantage that helps with parrying, beating, deflecting, & so on. I agree Matt Easton has failed to give that sufficient mention in these videos. The reach difference still probably gives the rapier the advantage overall for unarmored single combat in the open, however.
Matt does relate at the beginning of this video experiences of people that practice both weapons.
@@b.h.abbott-motley2427 I would have argued the same but in that specific context, the amount of force required to completely push the weapon our of the way was minimal, while the effort for the rapier user to get the weapon in line was greater, giving the opportunity to the katana user to quickly close in.
Clearly skill played a role but I'd say the reach advantage was pretty much nullified in that specific match
ah okay, that looks interesting, I'll watch that later@@lucanic4328
Wasn't the rapier used together with a short dagger? Used for parrying and short range combat?
Any info on the Spanish Circle aka Destreza? The Spanish fought against Pirates who had Japanese swords so I imagine the Spanish used that fighting style.
But Matt, the rapier isn't imbued with the intent of the swordsmith or the soul of its wielder like the katana
That reminds me of when I was studying foil fencing and a Kendo student wanted to see how his bamboo shinai would fare against my practice foil. Spoiler: foils are faster.
Most kendo-ka don't really know how to fight with swords anyway.
In all honesty, no other swords like the longsword, arming sword, or sabre can outmatch the rapier in an unarmed one-on-one duel. Rapiers were intended for such fighting purposes.
Going for the face and neck areas is an excellent (and in all likelihood game-ending strategy), but what about the hand? If I was fighting against a katana wielder with a rapier, I would definitely try to target the hand/arm with quick small amplitude cuts from the outside. Hands are extremely fragile and it wouldn’t take much to disable the opponent after a couple of good hits.
Something a lot of fencers don't practice and they should. Any real swordsman knows the wrist is a primary target. If he doesn't have a functional hand, he isn't a very good swordsman.
@@wesleyviers1550 If you don't keep your opponent under threat properly then you lose. Focusing on your opponent's hand is a great way to give them a chance to kill you.
Interesting in theory but I guess it would be more historically accurate to compare the rapier with the curved ottoman swords. The Spanish and the ottoman fought a considerable number of battles, from the siege of Malta, Lepanto, Castelnuovo and many smaller battles and raids. Both contenders had developed techniques to maximize their advantages and minimize their weaknesses.
Autogenerated subtitles really did Matt dirty here.
Most Rapierists would carry either a Maine Gauche, or Sail Gaurd Maine Gauche (most Preferable ) Always use point, both swordsmen can move quickly, honestly first parry , hit into soft target area, use Say Maine Gauche to sever Clavical Artery or throat. Always pray that if they cut you. It's not in any major vein or arterial area. There was an article written where several Portuguese swordsmen had killed Samurai....Again, if there are anyone who has heard or knows about the article that would be great. Seriously, I agree with Matt, the Katana is a gorgeous and very well made sword, and is an excellent cutter, no offense to those who like Katana's , Wakazashi's, No-Dachi's etc.
I imagine what will be with my hand inside cup hilt after being hit by katana drove by two arms. I doubt that my hand can operate freely after that.
How hard is it to parry a Katana with a rapier?
I'm not talking about doing the initially parry, but preventing the heavier weapon from crashing through, even more so when powered by two hands...
I know that using a longsword for parrying a spear is already really hard. You can pretty much forget about parrying a poleaxe. Similarly, parrying swords with daggers isn't as fun as it looks in movies...
The rapier has a reach advantage but a leverage disadvantage: not only is it a one-handed sword, it also has a longer blade. The katana, which is two-handed and has a shorter blade, can knock the rapier quite far off the center, which would give the samurai a chance to rush in. Likewise, cuts from a katana would be difficult to parry with a rapier, for the same reasons. These two videos demonstrate this quite well.
th-cam.com/video/jcwoBVUqlW0/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/_gndIJnmS5o/w-d-xo.html
Can't cut? Not always. More often then not, swords wont cut through swords. Can it happen? Yes. Is it likely? No. But 'never'? Not true. Not al metal is created & treated equally.
We are talking about steel swords here. All these swords are made of hardened steel. They are the same material with similar edge hardness.
Thinking on this topic a second time...
Honestly it's the same issue an arming sword has against a spear or well a rapier or a two-handed sword in some cases.
And if you are the one with the longer weapon your goal is always to control the biggest advantage you have which is reach.
Subsequently that means that timing anything wrong, hitting a part that isn't immediately fatal, not having the strength and stamina or stay on par, misjudging distance, failure of technique to angle, or being lured into a disadvantage are all factors that could lead to your demise.
In western treatise for instance a person might take their cloak and use it in their off hand in place of a knife to act as an impromptu buckler, sword catch, parry, or to blind their opponent in a critical moment. Any opponent with a shorter weapon could try the same, ultimately presenting a target that getting hit isn't fatal enough of a loss to overcome the reach advantage.
Just because you can thrust and reach doesn't mean you'll always hit. Nor does it mean your hits will be fatal.
In the context of a duel by first blood or contact then obviously a longer weapon could get away with something without much commitment.
But if it was a duel to the death, and both are unarmored, all non-fatal wounds are meaningless.
You could look at the film Rob Roy (1995) as an example, where a much longer and lighter blade poked holes in the protagonist all day, but in the end his basket hilt broadsword cut down his foe who tired and made a fatal error.
Coming full circle the one with the long poker wants the put the point through something critical. And the one who doesn't want to be a pin cushion wants to get past the point. It's a matchup as old as time.
Also, good rapier swordsmen are extremely fast in all directions. If they have a place like an arena fight, they will never take risk like blocking, reposting, etc. The rapier will just punch from a safe distance while he chats on his phone :) Outside of our arena, things change drastically.
Great information as always Matt, thanks. I was wondering how much would change if the samurai was fully armored and the rapierist had breast / back plate and helmet . Conqestodor armor so to speak. Could the rapier punch thru Japanese armor. Or would it be a face and exposed arm duel .lol just wondering your thought. Cheers from new Jersey.
Later high-grade Japanese armor (tosei gusoku) was based on a breastplate strong enough to withstand bullets, so at least for the torso area, both COULD have similar levels of protection.
Dagger in the off hand is what I've always heard
With the angled thrust and block as shown, how do you keep from losing your sword from that angled cut? If the samurai moves with the weapon before his body as is supposed to be the case the katana will impact and push the blade out of the way and your wrist position is at a weak hand position, the pressure could/ would tear the sword from your grip as shown
Will it be possible to block the more heavy sword with the rapier? Wouldn't it be forced aside?
It would be fairly easy to block/parry with a rapier. They're large, heavy swords, that were used fairly often against backswords etc, in Europe.
Yes, absolutely, as it happens multiple times in these videos
th-cam.com/video/jcwoBVUqlW0/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/_gndIJnmS5o/w-d-xo.html
I mean, the Japanese solution to getting in close with their Katana is by wearing armour. However, this was obviously not as effective in the age of gunpowder.
They actually train a lot against smaller and longer weapons in or out of armor, bullet-resistant armor existed.
I would definitely like to have a dagger as well.
I had a wife that was an emergency room nurse in big city hospital
Saw many knife wounds , one time these guys get into a fight over a card game.
The one got stabbed in his side with a large butcher knife. Cut his heart in two pieces
The guy still ran down a flight of Stairs and half way across a parking lot before dropping over
I was stabbed by an ice pick and didn’t even know it till I saw it sticking out of me.
With your heart bisected blood pressure drops to zero almost instantly and in a second or two unconsciousness. The guy might have been stabbed and ran and fallen on the knife and then "cut his heart in two pieces."
@@GaryChurch-hi8kb Jealous much?
Why would I be jealous you freak? What are you babbling about? @@gatocles99
@@GaryChurch-hi8kbOf course he could run after, it was his last resort.
A samurai who doesn't fear death and rushes in with only attacks to kill you is definitely a user of Jigen-ryu.
SEE! got so many haters in the last video where i said i still dont fancy stabbing a samurai because of potential head-lopping capabilities. They were all acting as if it was insta-kill and i was simply saying, no it aint and they're still dangerous even if you stab them.
This is why Matt has to explain the measures to take because if you don't take angry samurai stuck on the end of your sword in to account, you're gunna have a bad day
Don't forget that the rapier is one handed. So even if a samurai is impaled his katana will not cut through a buckler or dagger
What about a rapier vs an odachi?
I believe as almost always one-handesd weapon of similar reach would have massive advantage due to shield/dagger in second hand
An issue not mentioned in the video is that the rapier is a one-handed weapon versus a katana, which is a two-handed weapon.
This means that the rapierist has the luxury of using a buckler or other shield in their off hand; wheras the katana weilder has no such option.
Run the blade into his face and hit the brain 😊
What about the use of a main gauche to parry?
Rapier/ fencing is too underrated
Having the sword with better reach is one of the main reason that Miyamoto Musashi used a boat Oar to kill Sasaki Kojiro in their famous duel. As it it is well known Sasaki Kojiro uses a very long sword and uses one swift strike to kill his opponent in duels. Musashi specializes in using two handed sword to fight against multiple opponents but their sword length put him into a disadvantage. Therefore, he uses a boat Oar and shaved it up in the proper size and length. The other reason is to sort of insult Kojiro by using only a wooden sword to fight him, psych him up.
According to accounts/legend, both swordsmen each struck one swift blow at the same time. Sasaki Kojiro’s sword just sliced off the Musashi’s head band, barely missing his head, while Musashi’s wooden sword was just enough length that it’s tip struck Kojiro’s Forehead, breaking his skull, killing him.
That likely never happened and sasaki kojiro likely never actually even existed.
The next time I am attacked by a man with a katana and I am armed only with my rapier, I will be glad I watched this video. It happens a lot in my area.
No no no Matt space and time, A Katana can cut through space and time.
I'll try to remember that when someone is charging at me with a katana, and me having a rapier.. in my dreams I guess
Yes yes, all of this makes sense.
But I still wonder what might George Silver and his followers say on the topic of fighting a rapier with slightly smaller and more cutting design weapon. .... )))
Silver's "short sword" had a 37-40in blade according to his specifications, so it was about as long as the rapier in this video. I do think his advice for fencing sword & dagger against rapier & dagger provides insight here. Despite his bravado against the rapier, his detailed instructions say to be careful because the rapier is dangerous, keep your sword close to the rapier, & cut or thrust instantly after parrying or defecting the rapier.
Of course. And anyone who'd say not to be extra careful when fighting against a rapier is in my opinion delusional.
I dislike the weapon for its rather only dueling nature, but i still have respect for anyone who practices it.
It just that after this video, the only thing in my head was a picture of G. Silver shouting and hour long rant about people with rapiers and how he would cut them down with the just move of his wrist.
This topic is very fascinating. I have a question, though. What, if any, armor would have been used in these conflicts?
That's a good question. A katana is a battlefield weapon, and thus it's meant to be able to handle armored opponents. In contrast, the rapier is a civilian weapon intended for use with unarmored civilians. One could argue back and forth about how a rapier could circumvent armor, but the bottom line is that whenever you use a tool for something other than its intended purpose, you're usually going to have a bad time.
Maybe another video on secondary weapons carried by each type of fighter, Left hand dagger and Wakizashi. I think it would be interesting to look at style of two weapon fighting used at the time by the combatants to give them different offense and defense options.
It's no comparison the left hand dagger ( mein gauche) is a purpose made weapon, quillions that trap the opposing blade not mention things like the sword breaker and sail dagger
I was think of style or tactic of using the sword as defense and the dagger as offense when the Samurai closes the distance. Also look at two hand vs one hand from both points of view. the fact is that alot of time a dagger and Wakizashi were carried with the their matching sword so maybe at hand during a fight. options change things sometimes.
@@Kinetic.44
Ok, that's how you stop a crazy samurai... What about a sane samurai
sane doesn't fit the trope
You have a longer blade, stab them. Sane people are the ones who stop after being shot once. It's the guys who'll eat a mag dump and keep coming you need to worry about.
have a pleasant conversation and invite them for a spot of tea
Wow I'm actually early for once
Quick question, how hard is it for a two handed sword to push the single handed sword out of the way?
If you were to try and block a two handed sword (any two handed sword, not just a Katana) with a rapier wouldn't leverage just push through your guard?
Leverage is a big advantage for a two-handed grip. It may allow blowing through some parries, but well-executed one with the forte of the rapier will stop any strike from a katana, longsword, or similar. However, the kantana or other two-handed sword can effectively push the rapier around at length (away from the forte), deflecting thrusts, binding, beating, & so on.
You assume blocks are static, but in swordsmanship, this is rarely the case unless fully reactionary and will probably end up with you wounded or dead.
@@wesleyviers1550 I hear what you are saying, but the cut didn't stop just because you want it to either. The question is how easy would it be to push a rapier block off line with the extra leverage of a two handed sword.
I wonder if Nito ryu might work. If you have a pair of weapons, katana and wakizashi, could that help counter the katana's length advantage. Thinking of that makes me think of Musashi's answer to a lnger weapon. Hit the guy with a boat oar.
The boat oar reminds me the quarter staff, the simple big stick was out ranging swordsmen and smashing helmets all over the world for a long time in many forms.
Dont forget about the left hand parrying dagger or mein gauche for the rapier user, check out the sail dagger and sword breaker the wakasashi doesn't come close.
Musashi also said that niten was for battlefield swordsmanship. You generally use a single sword for a 1 on 1 fight. I've trained in both and I'd definitely prefer a single sword in a duel.
Is armor taken into account?
The real issue is the drawing of the sword. The rapier swordsman would never get it drawn in time if the two swordsman met on the road.
Feels like not the most likely scenario.
I don't really know why you feel the katana could be drawn fundamentally quicker than a rapier either.
@@fmsyntheses because the katana is both shorter and the Japanese train in drawing the katana quickly while simultaneously cutting
@@outsideiskrrtinsideihurt699 weebery
@@fmsyntheses guess historical European sailors are weebs making up nonsense then 🧐
th-cam.com/video/zqBJDwwl1hA/w-d-xo.html
Great video! What about a katana vs a similar blade length military saber in a civilian self-defense situation? I'd imagine the katana has a defensive advantage due to a two-handed grip and a stiff and heavy blade. The saber would have the offensive reach advantage due to it being one-handed and held further away from the body. The katana's game plan would probably be block or deflect the saber's cut, then close in for a powerful two-handed cut that the saber man can't defend as easily. The katana would probably be better indoors/confined spaces due to the two-handed sword being held closer to the body than the one-handed saber.
Also, what about katana and wakizashi vs rapier and dagger? The kat/wak could both be used to parry/deflect the rapier at range, then close in where the offensive capabilities of the kat/wak would far outweigh the rapier/dagger.
Katana are not only two handed use. It is a dangerous assumption to make
My money is on the military saber due to its superior hand protection. I am personally not a fan of the katana design for that reason - very limited hand protection.
Yeah, that is what I’m thinking this entire katana counters to rapier discussion. The advantages of the katana of bind and cutting don’t just go away cus you using in one handed and just you don’t have a dedicated offensive , defensive implement doesn’t mean you can’t improvise one. Just that the traditional sort of standard of using the katana is especially bad start to use against a rapier. Hell, this is dodge cus is a video game but it is basically a fencing stimulator, but hellish quart shows this in broadsword versus rapier. It is doesn’t take much ommph to redirect a lunge or a stab, you don’t need two hands on it. I’ll link the video asap
I’m definitely interested in how the katana can beat the rapier!
Rapier has too much reach for you katana? Just use a nodachi.
Toooo slow
i practiced kendo about fifty years ago. in single combat, the rapier will more often be effective. your advice is excellent. one point that you might have overlooked is that the 'kote' (wrist) is one of the most common attacks in kendo. the range advantage to head or torso attacks favors the rapier, but the range of the katana to the wrist is much shorter. i would not like to face a rapier with a katana, but the wrist would completely stop the rapier attack. as to disabling ONE arm of the kendoist might not incapacitate him sufficiently. one of the long range kendo attacks uses only the 'weak' hand, it is almost ballistic. i would NOT like to take that chance, however.
Matt, I don't know how good are you fencing, but I have to say that your english pronounciation is simply top class, one of the best or just the best I have heard in TH-cam
Can you kindly make a video of the moro in the philippines...... their badass...... find a clip where they charge soldiers using their kriss..... you'll be amazed.......
刀は武器として決して効率的ではない。刀は日本文化にとって、どちらかというと、儀式的で象徴的な存在です。現代人の刀に対する認識は、映画（チャンバラ劇）から偏った影響を受けている。リーチの短い両手スタイルを採用した刀は、戦争よりも、むしろ首切りに向いている。居合斬りで使われる巻き藁も、その強度や靭性において人の首に極めて似ていると言われる。
You can’t move backwards as fast as they can move forward
The key is angular footwork
You move backwards in conjunction with retracting your sword arm. 🤷
@@batteredwarriorthat would mean you are relying on them skewering themselves which is not a lot of power
@@batteredwarrior not enough to avoid a forward moving attack. He isnt going for your sword he is going for your neck or torso. Your retraction of the blade will just pull him in the same timing, unless where you hit impedes his movement. The drawback of the fine tip of the rapier is it doesn't create catastrophic injury for the most part. No system shock.