Theactblog

Real swordplay is already largely a matter not of physical strength or even speed, but of audacity, initiative, courage, caution, and cunning. However, every time I see an argument about which style of swordplay is better between eastern and western, kendo/kenjutsu is always used to compare to western fencing. But the reality of ancient swordplay is that a sword was all about creating vectors of pressure. The best times to shoot are when the two fencers are beginning to engage or immediately after one has scored a touch. The element of danger, of course, is negated with fencing equipment as the fencers are protected with three layers of protective padded clothing, helmets and gloves.