DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post

**Zhgpavye** · 07-29-2010, 01:44 PM

I think shields just don't fit in the mindset of the martial art, the samurai's way is attacking, not defending, there for, no shield should be needed, also I thought the goal was to try and end a fight with one strike so shields aren't really needed are they?

That's somewhat of a romanticized view of the samurai and possibly more indicative of how things were in the Edo period and onwards. If you go through the thread I referenced in my previous post, you'll find some info that says hand shields were used early on in Japanese history, prior to the creation of the samurai class, but fell out of favor as fighting tactics changed. Okinawan karate have some kata that use turtle shells as shields so there is some precedent of some use here and there.

07-29-2010, 01:44 PM	#11
Zhgpavye Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 538 Senior Member	I think shields just don't fit in the mindset of the martial art, the samurai's way is attacking, not defending, there for, no shield should be needed, also I thought the goal was to try and end a fight with one strike so shields aren't really needed are they? That's somewhat of a romanticized view of the samurai and possibly more indicative of how things were in the Edo period and onwards. If you go through the thread I referenced in my previous post, you'll find some info that says hand shields were used early on in Japanese history, prior to the creation of the samurai class, but fell out of favor as fighting tactics changed. Okinawan karate have some kata that use turtle shells as shields so there is some precedent of some use here and there.
	Quote