[General Tacticus]

Originally posted by Saber Cherry:



But I have to ask, now. Everyone seems to have good reasons for samurai to not have wakizashis... does anyone know why they did? Were they for blocking, or just a "sidearm"?

-Cherry

Indeed, the samurais did not as a rule use two weapons in battle. The wakizashi was a back-up weapon, and a ceremonial one, not an off-hand one.

However, there was a famous Japanese samouraï (I can't remember the name) that did develop a two weapon style for katana and wakizashi, together. That style
was designed to fight against several opponents at once. It's also the kind of style that needs year to learn. So if you want to include it for elite troops, that would be all right I think.

Oh, and I would say that in that case the wakizashi is mostly for defensive purpose, so I would give these troops better defence, but only a weak attack with the wakizashi. Sort of like a parrying dagger.

[ January 06, 2004, 10:08: Message edited by: General Tacticus ]