I guess that in a martial context, hmmm how should I put this?
For starters...what are we comparing kendo to? Foil epee or saber?
Since Saber allows both stabbing and slashing techniques it would seem
the most reasonable match up. Also we have to decide whether this is
on a piste or in the round. On the pist the fencer has considerable
advantage, in the round kendo/kenjitsu goes along way.
It hardly seems fair to compare a metal toy with a bamboo one. So lets
up things a bit and go directly to sharps. Lets substitute the
courtsword which is somewhat sharpenable along the blade and is tip
sharp.
Against a live katana of approx the same length? give similar time of
training? What foil is today bears litle resemblance to fighting of
any kind, yet kendo has some more kinship to it, methinks. And then
there is the quality of a courtsword against a live katana... its not
good for the courtsword.
Epee is an interesting one. here its more likely that hand protection
plays a key role and even things up abit and the weapon itself is more
heavy duty. If the epeeist can take out or wound a critical target
such that the kendoka can't move as well then epee should do well but
thats a tough job considering there really isn't a histroical
equivalent of epee that was sharpenable along the edges. Its not that
it wasn't but that history didn't. There's also the strength/leverage
factor as katanas are two handers. In the end my guess is that its
possible that an epeeist successfully win against a similarly skilled
kendoka but that its unlikely. What would likely happen is the epeeist
would die on the scene but the kendoka if stabbed in the torso would
die later. If stabbed the kendoka cound still effect an immediately
fatal blow. Just my guess based on having done both as a sport.
Actually I'm a foilsman. :-)
I think a cavalry saber would have the best chances considering the
similarities of the weapon.
But as for the question Matt posted; I doubt any of us do this sport
or kendo to find out which is better. We picked our sport because of
the aesthetics, fun, fraternity, etc that comes along with it. I
certainly doubt we picked this or any quasi-martially resembling sport
for the joy of throwing away lots of money per year just so some
director can louse it up for us.
And I doubt we do this so we can wear silly outfits. SCAdians, well
they do it so that they can SEW silly outfits as well as wear them. I
know, but I got it rigged. My wife sews them and I wear them.
As I keep writing I'm starting to become unsure as to why I do this
;-p)
Ohh...I just remembered...its to write shameless plugs for Sam Sigs
who has the best tiptape I've come across. It's true. :-)
Phillip J. Inoy
"Jacq-" <parkertrbl@gci.net> wrote in message news:<vbbkbl3cf91v62@corp.supernews.com>...
> Arrogance is an understatement. Congratulations if you have some talent in
> one area. However, it takes most people at least a year to really understand
> the art and history of fencing. Something you have apparently failed to
> learn. Any sport or martial art will teach you that one: patience is a
> virtue and two humility will go a long way.
>
> It sounds like a tournament would go a long way in putting that lesson into
> perspective for you.
>
> FYI, fencing was derived from just the French...check out the schools in
> Germany and Italy and then read a few history books.
> "MattOutland" <mattoutland@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:128c14f8.0209131959.18b680ee@posting.google.c om...
> > I think kendo is better. After just a few lessons I am better
> > than most fencers. Just my opininon, but it would make sense
> > since it was devised by battle-hardened samurai instead of
> > sporting Frenchman.
> >
> > Does anyone here take kendo? If so, which is better? 
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