Japanese vs. European Swordsmanship... You Got it All Wrong!

Lots of people have strong opinions (and biases) about whether Eastern or Western martial arts are "better" and whether a knight or a samurai would win in a hypothetical duel. Meanwhile, the more you actually compare notes and look at the fundamental basics of Kenjutsu and HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts), the more you realize that this is all pretty silly. Human anatomy and biomechanics put some constraints on the variety of techniques and tactics that make practical sense, and as a result the similarities are greater than the differences. In this video I'm taking a look at Kenjutsu demonstrations and drawing comparisons to the western medieval counterparts. Let's see if they are really diametrically opposed the way some zealous fans seem to insist. :) ** Time stamps ** 00:00 - 01:07 Sword hipsters, "weebs", and keyboard warriors 01:07 - 02:13 East vs. West - difference & similarities 02:13 - 02:54 Kenjutsu: deflectional parries 02:54 - 03:41 Static block (with the edge!) 03:41 - 04:46 Evade & counter 04:46 - 05:51 Another example of static blocking 05:51 - 06:26 Active displacement (cut against flat) 06:26 - 06:52 Japanese equivalent of "half-swording" 06:52 - 07:10 Knight vs. samurai: No surprises! 07:10 - 07:51 A "krumphau"?! 07:51 - 08:59 Don't need a double-edged blade for this 08:59 - 09:58 Deflect & counter 09:58 Differences & final thoughts ** Sources ** Kenjyutsu & Iaido Isoukai:Sekido    • 剣術・古武道（古武術）の居想会：関戸光賀   剣術・刃引之形の解説／古武道の居想会：関戸光賀    • 剣術・刃引之形の解説／古武道の居想会：関戸光賀   Yagyu Shinkage-ryu Heiho Kenjutsu - 42nd Japanese Kobudo Demonstration (2019)    • Yagyu Shinkage-ryu Heiho Kenjutsu - 42nd J...   戦国の強剣【浅山一伝流】宗家の剣術の技に当然打ち込む隙がなかった！    • 戦国の強剣【浅山一伝流】宗家の剣術の技に当然打ち込む隙がなかった！剣術武術シリーズ   Ono-ha Itto-ryu Kenjutsu - 41st Kobudo Demonstration 2018    • Ono-ha Itto-ryu Kenjutsu - 41st Kobudo Dem...   Mair’s “peasant stick” (club) demonstration by Allemansend Re-enactment    • peasent stick, from Paulus Hector Mair   ** Other relevant videos you might like ** Tatami Cutting: Not Easy, Even With a Katana! (Tameshigiri Reaction)    • Tatami Cutting: Not Easy, Even With a Kata...   The Sword of Uesugi Kenshin (Yomikuni Katana Review)    • The Sword of Uesugi Kenshin (Yomikuni Kata...   Which Cuts Better? Albion Knecht or Principe (Kriegsmesser vs. Longsword)    • Which Cuts Better? Albion Knecht or Princi...   What Makes Swords & Knives Cut Well (Sharpness, Blade Geometry, Etc)    • What Makes Swords & Knives Cut Well (Sharp...   ** Music credits ** Outro: "Highland Storm" by The Slanted Room Records https://theslantedroom.github.io/stev... Used with artist's permission ** Merch ** https://www.bonfire.com/store/skallswag/ If you want to join Bonfire to start selling your own merch: https://www.bonfire.com/welcome/07bb1... ** Support the channel ** Help fund future videos, get bonus content and access to an exclusive Discord server:   / skallagrim      / @skallagrim   https://www.subscribestar.com/skallagrim Other ways to support the channel by shopping through affiliate links: Kult of Athena, my favorite online store for reproductions of historical arms and armor, fantasy swords, etc: https://www.kultofathena.com/?koa=259 Where to get HEMA gear and practice swords: http://www.woodenswords.com/?Click=1799 Want to treat your face fluff? I highly recommend the balms and oils from Beard Sorcery: https://beardsorcery.com/?ref=0UEFtHW... Books about history, martial arts, swords, knives, video/audio equipment, and other stuff I recommend: US - https://www.amazon.com/shop/skallagri... Canada - https://amzn.to/2HeOCMA ** Social media **   / _skallagrim_     / skallagrimyt     / skallagrim_yt