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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: 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?"