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I have been reading The Japanese Sword Column and thought it may be of niche interest to other Soylentils. It is written by Paul Martin, a noted British expert of Japanese swords. From the introduction:
Along with cherry blossoms and Mount Fuji, the Japanese sword has become one of the enduring symbols of Japan. It has experienced centuries of warfare, evolved through Mongol invasions, survived the introduction of the musket, the end of the samurai era, modernization, and confiscation and destruction by the Allied forces following World War II. They are an anachronism in modern society, yet they continue to be made. They are an integral part of Japanese culture.
Today, I feel very fortunate that we have access to Japanese swords and can observe the artistry of blades that were previously only accessible by Japan's ancient military and social elites.
I particularly enjoyed the July 25th article, The Changes in the Shape of the Japanese Sword. The articles are short, update infrequently and have plenty of pictures of museum-quality swords. A good fit for those with a casual interest in the subject.
(Score: 2) by jelizondo on Tuesday October 10 2017, @03:27AM (9 children)
You will never find a lone wolf becoming King, my friend. It is always a band of armed men led by the would-be king.
Also you will find that tactics and weapons are very important, Hernan Cortes conquered Mexico and Pizarro, Peru with a small band of soldiers who had better weapons and tactics than the natives.
Someone already mentioned Waco, what good were their guns against the government agents? Are you willing to bet your shotgun against an armored carrier? Are you willing to bet your assault rifle against a Hellfire?
Even with guns, we're doomed against the government, unless we rise by the hundreds of thousands and are willing to die by the thousands. Think about it.
(Score: 2) by rylyeh on Tuesday October 10 2017, @04:34AM (1 child)
If we Do rise up to die -
Can I use a frenh small-sword?
Democracy, is thankfully more plastic than that.
Most of the time, non-violent protests on a massive scale only result in getting gassed, or beatings about the head if involved.
Ha! https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/road-peace/facts-are-nonviolent-resistance-works [ncronline.org]
"a vast crenulate shell wherein rode the grey and awful form of primal Nodens, Lord of the Great Abyss."
(Score: 2) by rylyeh on Tuesday October 10 2017, @04:37AM
French. French small-sword. Similar to the modern Epee' with the triangular blade. Alas - no museum replicas for triangular blades - yet.
"a vast crenulate shell wherein rode the grey and awful form of primal Nodens, Lord of the Great Abyss."
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday October 10 2017, @05:04AM (2 children)
Cortez had the advantage of being foreign - he was granted access to people he wouldn't have been if he had been local.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday October 10 2017, @08:07AM (1 child)
You mean, like Melania?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday October 12 2017, @06:25PM
Some people diss rap.
But some of the best rappers do insane shit, like history lesson songs.
You think I jest?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5M7MZh_bvjg [youtube.com]
Learn about Cortez, and how he tricked the Mayans... through song*!
*unless you're a schmuck who says rap aint song, in which case, whatever, just go listen
Thank me after! :)
-AC#1
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Tuesday October 10 2017, @02:13PM (1 child)
Waco? There were no soldiers at Waco. The people in the compound relied on the walls to protect them. Poor fools - they should have had at least a field engineer among them, to explain that the walls were no defense, whatsoever. In fact, events proved the walls to be a greater danger than anything. If those people were relying on guns, there was remarkably little shooting from those guns.
(Score: 2) by The Mighty Buzzard on Tuesday October 10 2017, @04:03PM
Kind of the point. They weren't looking to hurt anybody. They got massacred for wanting the means to defend themselves.
My rights don't end where your fear begins.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by Phoenix666 on Tuesday October 10 2017, @02:13PM (1 child)
I don't know much about the particulars of Pizarro's conquest of Peru, but Cortes didn't manage it because he had better weapons and tactics than the natives. He got incredibly lucky with the timing of the myth of Quetzalcoatl and his arrival, which forestalled a vigorous reaction from the Aztec empire. Cortez was also seized upon by the Tlaxcala as a way to shake off the Aztec yoke of oppression. The Aztecs demanded huge numbers of human sacrifices from their vassals, which does not for a happy, secure empire make. So Cortez's numbers and military power were swiftly augmented by his new native allies. Even then the Aztecs would have kicked all their asses if they had tucked in and attacked. Instead they weren't sure what to do because of the legend and portends that kept the Aztec hierarchy off-balance, and they let Cortez walk into Tenochtitlan where they promptly imprisoned Moctezuma. Even then, the Aztecs rallied and drove the Spanish off and would have defeated the invasion, except diseases unwittingly brought by the Spaniards broke the Aztec resistance under Cuauhtemoc.
So a lot of things broke the Spaniards way. They got really lucky. But they did not do it with superior arms and tactics.
Washington DC delenda est.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday October 12 2017, @06:28PM
Cortez *knew* about the religious timing, and planned critical events around it. Isn't this tactics? To say the equivalent of, "on xmas day they'll all be celebrating, so we can attack then, when they have not girded?"