User blog comment:1298god/Miyamoto Musashi vs Shaka Zulu/@comment-27358240-20191121024457

Kazanshin's "I'll be your local Japanese fact-checker" edges:

Primary: This is an interesting comparison. On one hand, the Katana and Wakizashi combination of the Niten Ichi-ryu is an absolute beast in offense: you got two goddamn swords, what else am I supposed to say? The Ishlangu and Iklwa, on the other hand, has been tailor-made to destroy everything Shaka was going up against, which was defensive spearmen with large shields. This would make the style extremely effective against anyone with a shield, however Musashi isn't playing that game. He's going full offense. As we've seen in Shaka vs William Wallace, steel swords can make short work of rawhide shields, which means Musashi isn't gonna be having too much trouble getting past Shaka's defenses. Shaka, on the other hand, will have a lot of problems trying to make it past the Niten Ichi-ryu without getting chopped up in the process. Musashi takes this one. Edge: Miyamoto Musashi

Sidearm: Here, I'll disagree with everyone. The Bokken, while definitely not as instantly lethal as the axe, has 50cm of reach advantage. And don't expect to get out unscathed after getting hit by one of those, a hit anywhere will be devastating, knock you on your ass and leave you open to a death blow. The Zulu axe doesn't really have anything to offer which the Iklwa doesn't since Musashi isn't using shields, while the Bokken brings a heavy-hitting reach weapon to the fight, which is why I give the edge to Musashi once more. Edge: Miyamoto Musashi

Long range: I'm actually again gonna go against the flow and give this one to Musashi. The Bo-Shuriken isn't as practical as the Iwisa, but Musashi can carry a bunch of them at the same time, unlike the Iwisa, of which Shaka probably only carries one. This means that while Musashi only has to deflect away one attack, which he very likely will, Shaka has to worry about a bunch of tiny thrown spikes which Musashi will pepper him with before getting in close. Edge: Miyamoto Musashi

Special: I don't really need to elaborate on this one. Katana spear>regular spear. Edge: Miyamoto Musashi

Final Verdict: Both are deadly warriors in their own rights, obviously, but only one can come out on top, and that's Miyamoto Musashi. Shaka was noted as being a most skilled warrior in his tribe. Cool. Musashi was the very best in all of Japan's Kengo swordmasters, many of whom, in his era, were already veterans of the Sengoku Jidai. He was going up against way more skilled and deadly opponents than Shaka could imagine on a daily basis. Let's not forget Shaka was pretty much mentally insane, a traumatized psycopath seeking vengeance against the people who mistreated and disrespected him by the end of his life. Even earlier in his war career, the guy was an extremely angry and ruthless man. Musashi will absolutely love to toy with such an opponent. So, good game Shaka, daga Miyamoto Musashi-dono ni wa kanawanu na (but you are no match for Miyamoto Musashi). Deadliest Warrior: Miyamoto Musashi