How Would a Katana Swordmaster Fight with a Rapier? (Shocking Findings)

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A good teacher never forgets the excitement of being a student.

Ive sparred HEMA guys with rapiers using my katana and sensei is correct about its advantages. Alot of "experts" in katana say that if you just hold it w 2 hands it can defeat rapier, but in my expirence, you cant use conventional kenjitsu techniques because rapier fighters are trying to keep their distance from you. One thing you might need to know though is that rapier fighters move bery linear and always have it pointed out according to their style. Thus enhancing its "scary" elements. The only way I had victories against it was when I was able to press in and take advantage of the the katana's close range pluses against the rapier's minuses

A thing I heard once was that back when sword duels were common throughout Renaissance Europe (especially Italy) you could instantly tell a saber duelist from a rapier duelist. A saber duelist was an older gentleman with many scars along just arms and face. A rapier duelist was a young man without a single scar on his body. This was because most duels were to first blood, and a slash from a saber was painful but rarely lethal on its own. Meanwhile, rapiers excelled at puncturing vital organs and so “first blood” was also enough to kill. All this to say, being intimidated by the rapier is a valid response. It’s a remarkably deadly and reckless weapon, sacrificing the versatility and defensive capabilities of heavier blades for shear killing power.

As a HEMA student, I would say regarding whether you can perform a sword deflection with a rapier really depends on the rapier. The typical design of a rapier we would use for sport in HEMA wouldn't work very well for it, the blades are quite light and flexible, they focus on subtle redirections of the opponent's sword rather than large sweeping movements. They take advantage of the robust hand protection they are often equipped with to do so safely. It takes very little force at all to pierce someone with a rapier, even at somewhat awkward angles. If a full out lunge were to strike the opposing fencer clearly and without incident, it's relatively likely the entire sword could penetrate straight down to the hilt and run them through quickly. However, historical artifacts of rapiers with heavier blades do exist, and from their appearance they'd be more suited to techniques like deflecting and cutting in general. Some of these examples are similar to what is sometimes in HEMA called a "Sidesword", a cut-and-thrust sword which is used in one hand, often with a buckler, dagger, or cape in the off hand.

To answer Seki Sensseis question: A rapier fencer would usually not smack aside an oponents blade, but much rather prefer to push it aside. Rapier fencers try to keep blade contact as much as possible in order to controll their oponents sword. Since their hands are protected by a large cupped hilt or basket hilt, they do not worry so much about their hands. And one important note: What he is holding is not actually a rapier, but a type of sword called "Smallsword" as it was popular in the 18th century. But many of the concepts of rapier fencing still apply. Historic sources for fencing with rapier would be: Jerónimo Sánchez de Carranza (1569) Domingo Luis Godinho (1599) Salvator Fabris (1609)

As fencing student and HEMA practitioner I’m very impressed at how quickly Seki Sensei picked up the strengths of the rapier and discovered how best to use it. Rapier and other thrusting swords do require very quick, small, and precise movements, and those small circular parries and opportunistic attacks against openings are exactly where rapiers excel. One thing Seki Sensei did not pick up on, however, is the footwork that goes with it. Some rapier styles utilize a lot of circling footwork and move the body out of line as attacks are made, so you’ll often sidestep or angle your body away to attack your opponent diagonally, or attack straight on while moving your body to one side. Imagine all the fear that comes with not being able to see the thrust, but add the confusion of your opponent stepping away at a completely different angle while they do it to dodge your own attack. It’s a very deceptive weapon that, in the right hands, accomplishes a lot with just a few subtle twists of blade and body.

It really shows how much of a master sensei Seki is that he can actually figure out a lot of legitimate rapier techniques on his own without having actually studied with one before. I love seeing this sort of crossover

Honestly I don't know anything of value, I'm just really enjoyingall this mutual appreciation and respect of craftmanship and skill across cultures.

It's telling that the sword master was afraid of the rapier. Swords are cool but they are highly refined tools specifically designed to kill humans. They ARE scary. One of the things I like about Seki Sensei is that his ryu is grounded in the realities of combat because that's really what weapons are for. I love his openmindedness and humility. You can tell he loves to LEARN and that is the hallmark of a great teacher.

You can definitely tell Seki Sensei is an actual swordsman, as he fairly quickly figured out the best strategy to engage a rapier swordsman. He is correct in that large motions will not work against an experienced rapier swordsman due to the rapier's speed and difficulty inherent with trying to see a rapier thrust. Instead he adapts to small cuts and thrusting attacks of his own in order to keep the katana between himself and the other fencer at all times. During my time in Japan I was asked by some kendo students if I would fence against them with my rapier and they with their shinai. They learned a lot from our sparring about what does not work but they did not discern a plausible strategy as did Seki Sensei.

I love how he was so excited about figuring out how to properly counter fighting against the rapier, and figured out its main strength was the small but quick movements so one was to counter was just to use extreme pressure instead of half heartedly attacking because of fear. So cool to watch someone who's mastered their craft be so humble and excited to learn something outside his scope of knowledge

Sensei has the right idea. He's using the rapiers strong vs your blade's weak correctly, his movements and instincts are very good. After a while of him using it he starts to figure out timing attacks and some of the soft and tight parrys I'm used to seeing in our practices. It's really nice to see. I used to practice with bokken in my youth, before I got into rapier dueling (id say it was about 26 years ago now, maybe 28) and I do feel that it helped me become a more well rounded combatant... I think sensei would be very scary with a small amount of practice and correct gear to take some of the fear element out of learning. Attacking the hand is possible, but usually made harder because of the protection of basket hilts and a proper grip helps keep you from being disarmed. Try a finger over the Ricasso, it'll help you keep a hold of the blade. Also keep in mind the grip of a rapier is slightly stronger than that of katana, you will want to hold it a little bit tighter. Not to strangle it, but a firm handshake. Also I'm sure Sensei tells you this too, but move with purpose. :) your movements should be more deliberate. Overall, this was great to see, and great fun.

I've been a practitioner of Rapier Fencing for about 10 years focusing my study on Aggripa, Capo Ferro, Gigante, and Esgrima Vulgar from Godihno. It's not my best system but I'm familiar with it's theory and application. For Sensei's first question about beating away blades with two tempo actions depends on the era of the sidesword or rapier, how you are fighting, and what weapon you are matched against. As time progressed sideswords, which were generally shorter and more cutting oriented, could be fought with like the Kanamuchi as he displays. However, rapiers became longer and more thrusting oriented. The attacks made with them are more like when he intercepts Sukada-san's weapon and almost hits his face. They are single time thrusting actions meant to spend as little time as possible and simultaneously divert the opponent's weapon. They were also matched against each other, and so could not make such large movements, because in the time it takes to make that movement your opponent would intercept your weapon and thrust you. Against a katana for example you can afford larger motions since it will likely be shorter and cuts simply take more time than thrusts. They also bladed their bodies more sideways over time to present less area to be attacked, and would lunge at each other to try and make these attacks from a safer distance. Also, dueling rapiers were very rigid yet flexible. They are not as likely to beat a weapon away but can easily hold "lines" in a thrust. You would block a cut and simultaneously thrust, and the sword would generally be able to do so. They were also more likely to perform the circular motions to divert a cut and counterthrust, just with smaller motions than Sensei displays. You can beat away a blade, but it is done in specific circumstances. Sensei's observations about dodging, footwork and distance are right on. The only things he didn't display are movement of the upper body and deflecting with the off hand. A thrust can be batted away with the off hand while gloved especially. Rapier fencers often move their upper body forwards and backwards to cover distance or create a perception of distance. He is also missing that rapier fencers will take diagonal steps to create new lines of attack or to dodge and counterthrust. He is also correct in that the thrust cannot be easily perceived. Very often fencers will cross and "gain" each other's blades so they can feel superior leverage. More experienced fencers will do this process and attack in one motion. This is so the opponent's weapon is controlled as it is very scary and common to both thrust each other at once and "double", inexperienced fencers are frequently suicidal in their attacks in this fashion by attacking without gaining or even covering their opponents weapon. Eventually you learn to perceive the distance of the weapon at a glance. His perception of using large attacks to beat the weapon out of an opponent's hand are well founded. Rapier fencers can end up using a looser grip to maximize thrusting distance. An experienced fencer can using a guard to divert a larger cut and countercut. It is similar to many techniques I've seen Sensei apply. It is a weaker grip to gain even more distance, but an experienced fencer will be prepared and you would need to do the technique as displayed in a single moment or when you opponent is static and not prepared.

It was amazing to see him immediately understand the thrusting capabilities of the rapier as soon as it was pointed at him. You can clearly see the skill, knowledge, and experience of Seki Sensei, and his on the spot strategies were also very good.

I studied George Silver's English backsword (a straight single-edged, single-hand sword with basket hilt) for a few years. He wrote his treatise "Paradoxes of Defence" partly as a response to people teaching Italian rapier fencing in England and getting people killed. Rapier duels can be especially deadly if both fighters lunge at the same time. And even if you hit your opponent first, the blade will sink into their body and can bring them close enough to do the same to you. Silver's opinion was that "The blow [cutting strike] requires the strength of a man to be warded, but the thrust may be put [turned aside] by by the force of a child." Especially with the long and heavy rapiers of the 16th C, the main danger lies in getting past the point. If you can turn aside their thrust and close the distance, you have the advantage with a cutting weapon. Rapiers could be used to parry swords such as katanas, but only really with the forte. As others have mentioned, the basket hilt protects the sword hand very well against cutting attacks, therefore parrying close to the hilt is not so dangerous. I don't know if it's apocryphal, but my instructor once told us that Polish sabre duellists used to say "In a backsword duel, one man walks away. In a rapier duel, neither man walks away. In a sabre duel, both men walk away."

These guys are incredible. Super skilled, but not at all pretentious about it, and so enthusiastic to try new things. I really appreciate the balanced takes on pros and cons.

When Seki sensei said that it was hard to manage the distance, I was reminded of something my fencing club instructor taught. That a commonly used skill was to line up one's elbow, hand, and blade tip with the opponent's eyes in order to make it even harder to judge your range. When it comes to thrusts, misjudging by even a small amount can get you stabbed.

I love it. He gets so excited by the possibilities of a different weapon. Something content creators in the west often lose in the battle of what’s best.

I don't even watch this stuff besides random recommendations on the front page but I've got to say that seeing the longsword and HEMA content creator response videos and just the entire host of positive feedback from all these different martial weapon practitioners really makes me feel like I'm living in the best timeline of a community. This is great!