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Post by suprafighter86 on Mar 6, 2010 23:04:03 GMT -5
I have been in the S.C.A for almost 4 years now. Yet I have to meet a single person with a Japanese persona who doesn't fail in combat.
why is this?
geez, that sounds rude....it isn't meant to be....
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Post by solveig on Mar 7, 2010 1:36:20 GMT -5
Noble Cousin! Greetings from Solveig! I have been in the S.C.A for almost 4 years now. Yet I have to meet a single person with a Japanese persona who doesn't fail in combat. why is this? Sounds like a feature of where you live. It takes time, talent, and training to become a good fighter. I know several Japanese knights whose skills should not be sneezed at.
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Saionji Shonagon
New Member
One dreamed of becoming somebody. Another remained awake and became. (Found in a fortune cookie.)
Posts: 7,240
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Post by Saionji Shonagon on Mar 7, 2010 1:40:26 GMT -5
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Post by suprafighter86 on Mar 7, 2010 3:25:39 GMT -5
I appreciate the help and direction, and truly meant no disrespect. I did notice however, with he link to the Asian knights and masters, there was literally not a single one listed in the west kingdom.....
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Post by maredudd on Mar 7, 2010 4:44:28 GMT -5
Some thoughts: First, by definition, anyone within our Society who plays a Japanese (or any non-mainstream) persona is going to be a person of wide ranging interests who is not afraid to try something different. This can lead to trying to adapt a fighting style that is all about "slicing cuts" to try and make it function in a game that is about "solid blows". This can slow progress in the same way that a 14th century Brit who insists on fighting in a pignose bascinet with original width eye-slots will have a problem. These problems can be overcome. It just takes time, persistence, and the willingness to spend a long time being pounded into the ground until it does work. Secondly, many of us with Japanese personae had been playing for a while before we became interested in Japanese culture. We have other personae to play with that may have kit more appropriate to a particular event; or may have received awards (including Knighthood) under alternate persona names. I gave a lift to the airport recently to a Knight that I had known for years - he moved away; we independently got interested in Japanese stuff; the event was local for me so I had my full Samurai rig - he used his lightweight sport kit under a tunic because he was flying - he would have been able to pound me into the ground which ever way round we were armoured. He does not have a Japanese persona name and so any list including him would carry his western name. Indeed, on the trying to find Japanese people in our society by name, consider the Sensei of all things armour: Baron Edward of Effingham
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Saionji Shonagon
New Member
One dreamed of becoming somebody. Another remained awake and became. (Found in a fortune cookie.)
Posts: 7,240
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Post by Saionji Shonagon on Mar 7, 2010 11:26:26 GMT -5
I did notice however, with he link to the Asian knights and masters, there was literally not a single one listed in the west kingdom..... I did try to tell you, Brent. Then again, I could've had a V-8. When I started doing Japanese out here, I was told "Japanese is for fringies." So I decided to do it to the best of my ability and try to prove people wrong. That was several years ago. I have managed to dent a few preconceptions since then, but don't be surprised if you get the same reaction from some folks. To my knowledge, the "Japanese" population of the mainland West Kingdom is as follows. There's me. There's a handful of people up in Sacramento, a couple of whom fight. There was a couple from up north in Allyshia who I haven't seen around for years. There are also three people in Golden Plains (Bangkok) and a lady in Far West (Japan), but you'd need a plane ticket to meet 'em.
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Post by suprafighter86 on Mar 7, 2010 15:23:49 GMT -5
Again, I meant no disrespect to anyone's creativity, nor martial ability. I just want that to be clear. I have been in contact recently with a single sword fighter whom has tremendous luck and a gratuitous amount of ability in dealing with shields whilst using a single sword. hopefully I can find my answer there.
Go drink a v-8. they have tons of torque.
heh....
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Post by Please Delete on Mar 7, 2010 21:28:47 GMT -5
I have been in the S.C.A for almost 4 years now. Yet I have to meet a single person with a Japanese persona who doesn't fail in combat. why is this? geez, that sounds rude....it isn't meant to be.... This may sound rude, but it isn't meant to be: Get out and meet people. In four years, I can't imagine you have had a chance to meet a large portion of the SCA community. So I can only imagine that you have not gone out of your way to find good SCA Japanese fighters. That said, is your intent to come and question the martial viability of Japanese personas? Or do you actually want help/instruction on how you, personally, can stop failing at martial endeavors? If it is the latter, I think attacking the question head-on (and being clear about what you want out of the conversation) would be more advantageous than indirect insults, intended or otherwise. -Ii
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Post by suprafighter86 on Mar 8, 2010 4:25:10 GMT -5
I have gone out and seen a lot of fights, but alas, lack the...social adeptness needed to initiate the "meeting" aspect of the fighters being on field.... In any case, I do wish to really help a lot of would-be Japanese fighters, as I feel it necessary to the Japanese fighting spirit. It seems the biggest problem, as far as I have observed, is the usage of shields. most people, including myself alot of times, have a hell of a time by passing this form of defense. It isn't always as easy as throwing a feint and hoping the shield goes here you want it to. I feel there is truly a need for reaction time, and yes, a decent bit of...physical fitness. not lifting weights, because that makes big muscles, and those slow you down, and require more oxygen to propel, but lean muscle. for sappy reaction time, and the proper hip engagements to get the ever so much sought after POWAAAA haha. But hey. What the hell do I know, right?
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Post by Please Delete on Mar 8, 2010 7:09:28 GMT -5
In my experience you need the same things anyone does. You need to be able to throw your blow without telegraphing (just do it). You need to be able to throw it with power. You need to be able to hit your target (not just the person, but the specific target). Feints and similar "tricks" are just that. The best people I've seen on the field have real skills.
Now, the SCA has a set of rules, and any greatsword or polearm fan will still tell you that the rules favor sword and shield. That isn't to say you can't do well and even win tournaments with other weapons, but the game favors the weapon and shield combo, which is not the traditional fighting style in Japan. Just means train harder.
-Ii
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Post by Yagyu Jubei Takemori on Mar 8, 2010 9:46:58 GMT -5
Yeah the farther east you go you seem to have more and more Japanese personae popping up. There are at least 5 or 6 of us in Artemisia, I know one does rapier (Eidou-san) and myself and Hiro-san do heavy. Konrad has a Japanese kit, though I am not sure that he has a persona, And last uprising there were a pair of priestesses wandering around with pretty good garb. Farther East there are 3 or 4 clans and house clovensheild is probably the most well known with its head Nissan Maxima. Effingham-Dono is also back east, and Mykaru (sp) is in Australia. My Advice to you would be to travel, Go to Pennsic, Gulf Wars, Estrella, Look for the week long kingdom events, and hit them up, that is where you will most likely find other like minded people. As far as fighting goes, Im relatively new, less than 6 months actively in armor. I am currently 2-sticking as it is my preferred fighting from (AKA its the most fun) I plan on learning S&B, 9' Spear, Naginata and Nagamaki. As well as doing some CA if I can get the stuff. Samurai were the warrior elite and we are Samurai VISITING a European court, it would make some sense to think that we would learn as much as we could about the fighting that was done here. If you want to be the most period and most effective (time period dependent) Go CA, Samurai were originally archers, then they adopted the spear before going on foot. You have several 2h weapons including the Tetsubo (nissan has one). If you want to fight with a one hander you will need to learn S&B or 2 sticking. Hope that isn't too garbled its still too early here forums.armourarchive.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=73637In the above link you will find some pics of several samurai including some of the above-mentioned people.
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Post by Yamanouchi Eidou on Mar 8, 2010 12:55:01 GMT -5
Samurai persona in SCA fighting is like playing a video game in hard mode.
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Post by Yagyu Jubei Takemori on Mar 8, 2010 13:22:38 GMT -5
Samurai persona in SCA fighting is like playing a video game in hard mode. Does that mean I get the alternate ending when I win?? But yeah, we are a minority, and a small one at that.
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Post by suprafighter86 on Mar 9, 2010 1:17:50 GMT -5
If we are a minority, then let us start to beat some serious ass. I friend of mine has agreed to use sword and shield whilst i practice single sword. he knows what he is doing. I say we get a little gung-ho and make them recognize us. maybe this is nothing but a mere pipe-dream, but if it is, let me never wake up. The Samurai is THE best. I shall let no man tell me otherwise.
also, maybe I am for reals crazy.
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Post by Please Delete on Mar 9, 2010 5:21:03 GMT -5
Your enthusiasm is commendable, but may I make a humble suggestion: You may wish to re-read your posts and attempt to refrain from inadvertently insulting the rest of us.
"If we are a minority, then let us start to beat some serious ass."
So, apparently we haven't been doing anything? We've just been sitting on the sidelines waiting for your leadership? I don't think you meant that, but I know people who have been working at this for a long time (longer than I've been playing) and your note that we are just now going to "start" does them a disservice. I assume you didn't mean it.
Also, if you are going to throw yourself out there as representative of the group, please try to do it in a way that will not make everyone else look like illiterate fanboys (or girls). It is hard enough to be taken seriously when you are doing something different. It does not help to antagonize others' opinions of you by not taking the time to attempt proper punctuation, spelling, grammar, etc. I do not mean to say that you must be strict in your writing or never make a typo, but perhaps slowing down and thinking about what you are saying and typing would be helpful? Otherwise, intended or not, you may come off looking like a troll.
I apologize if this seems rude, but my remonstrances are only intended to assist you in directing your energy in a positive and fruitful direction.
-Ii
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