Ming Warrior: The 14th century weapon innovators who launched China's greatest dynasty
vs.
Ashigaru: The foot soldiers hired by the Samurai during the feudal era.
WHO IS DEADLIEST?
To find out, we've assembled a team of world class fighters to test history's most lethal weapons. Using 21stcentury science, we'll see what happens when two warriors go toe to toe.
No rules. No safety. No mercy. It's a duel to the death to decide who is…THE DEADLIEST WARRIOR!
Here in our elite fight club we have gathered doctors, medical scientists and weapons experts to test out the lethal arsenals wielded by each of our combatants to determine who would win a fight between two warriors who never met in a face to face duel:
Ming Warrior
Circa: 1368 A.D.
Height: 5' 7"
Weight: 150 lbs.
Armor: Leather Lamellar, Bronze Helmet
Ashigaru
Circa: 1575
Height: 5'6"
Weight: 150 lbs
Armor: Jingasa, Hara-ate Dou, Kote
"Today, we have our first match using firearms as the Ming warriors battle the ashiagru, this will be a great match." Mack says.
"I'm siding with the ming." Biomedical engineer Geoff Desmoulin says. " They created an empire twelve times the size of Japan, they also defeated the Mongols, not an easy thing to accomplish. "
"I'll side with the ashigaru. Dr Dorian says." They may have not been well trained from the start. But they managed to leave a mark on Japanese history with their marksmanship." I think they'll win."
The Ming Dynasty was founded in 1368 when the Chinese overthrew the Yuan Dynasty, liberating their homeland from Mongol rule. Immediately they focused on building a powerful standing army to combat future enemy invasions.
"They managed to expand China's borders to include Yunnan, Mongolia, Tibet and much of Xinjiang and Vietnam," Mack explained, "They incorporated gunpowder weapons into their military forces, speeding up a development that had been prevalent since the Song Dynasty."
The success of the Ming Dynasty was a result of its many military institutions, its military split up into numerous commands throughout the frontier known as 'weis,' helping further spread their influence with a system that kept troops constantly supplied.
"They controlled a vast amount of territory and were able to incorporate weapons and tactics which helped inspired modern weapons. The ashigarus are in for a tough fight." Mack finished.
The Ming Warrior brings an assortment of innovative weapons to help defend his homeland:
Short Range: Dao
Mid Range: Guan Dao
Long Range: 3 Barrel Pole Gun
Special: Nest of Bees
Today, the ming go against an equally deadly marksman from their neighboring nation.
Ashigarus were foot soldiers hired by the samurai class. They were the bulk of many samurai armie, Land owning samurai, together with peasant foot soldiers, fought in many wars and conflicts including the Mongol invasions of Japan in 1274 and 1281. Constant warfare between the 1300s and 1500s made the hiring of foot soldiers with no particular loyalty necessary at times. Paid only in loot, these mercaneries were not well-trained and thus could not always be depended upon in battle. Nonetheless, these wandering foot soldiers would eventually become the ashigaru.
"They served under the mighty samurai. They will be tough opponents indeed." Mack says
The Japanese foot soldier came armed with the best weaponry at the time in Japan.
Short Range: Katana
Mid Range: Yari
Long Range: Tanegashima Rifle
Special: Osutzu
Both teams will start out up close and personal with their country's most famous swords.
"The dao or 'Chinese broadsword' is a wide, slightly curved sword with a single cutting edge," weapons maker Dave Baker started out, "The wooden handle is wrapped in cloth to absorb sweat and has a circular metal guard. It was 37 inches in length and weighs slightly over a pound."
Ming Warrior expert Yao Ming was on hand before two suspended pig carcasses making a few practice swings with his dao.
Alright Yao, we've set up a test against two unarmored opponents and one with armor," Geoff said motioning towards the pigs and then a nearby ballistic gel torso outfitted with the ashigaru's respective armor. "You know the drill."
Yao nodded and got into position
"On 3...2...1... Go!"
Yao immediately shot his blade out to his left with a slash that nearly cut the carcass in half, eliciting an awed response from the panel. He then shot his blade to the right thrusting it through the target before pulling out with a stab to the left carcass and then slashed into the right and then another to the left which slashed the carcass completely in half and then another to cleave the right carcass in half.
Dr. Dorian made his way over to the remnants to begin his inspection.
"All six of your shots would have been kills. All of your thrusts managed to perforate the target's aorta and you completely cleaved through the spinal cords and thus cutting off vital functions in addition to your enemy bleeding out," the doctor explained.
"Your thrusting speed measured in at roughly 4.9 mph, pretty fast with six kills in less than seven seconds," Geoff added.
Yao then makes his way over to the ashigaru armored torso.
He swings his sword at the jingasa, denting it as the blade slides off. He then swings at the hara-ate dou, denting it and attempts a stab, making a small hole.
"Your swing at the helmet we measured only 15 PSI, this helmet did a good job protecting him, your swing at the armor only left a dent, no broken rib there and the stab only went in just a little bit. "
" Your sword is mainly used for slashing, our katana can slash and stab, especially stab through your leather armor." Ashigaru expert Shigeru Miyamoto said
The team reviews the katana test from Samurai vs Persian Immortal. The decision is as easy as ever.
"I like the dao but it didn't cause much damage to the armor, plus the katana is faster and made of superior metals. Edge katana". Geoff started off.
"Not only that, when the katana was tested against the Persian's armor, it did significant damage, leather is no exception." Edge katana." Dorian agreed.
"I can't agree more, edge katana." Mack concluded.
In short range weapons, the ashigaru gets the edge with his katana.
Coming up, both warriors fight with their signature polearms.
XXXX
Now is the time for both sides to break out their mid-range arsenals. Up first will be the ashigaru is first with the yari.
"The yari was a long spear. Its size varied from 6 to 20 feet in length, but the one we've constructed is 7 feet long and weighs 4 pounds," Dave explained.
"We've set up a ballistic gel target for you clad in the ming armor and since this is a foot battle, we're only going to test it through those means," Geoff said motioning towards the target.
Shigeru nodded and got into position.
"Shigeru, are you ready?"
"Hai!" Shigeru called back.
"Then on 3…2…1, charge!"
Shigeru thrusts his spear and penetrated the entire blade into the armor. He pulls out with blood on his blade.
Dorian walks over to check the damage.
"Your thrust managed to penetrate the armor and reached his heart, this would be an instant kill by itself."
"But you're weapon is one sided. " Our polearm had more options." Yao says.
The Ming Warrior answers the challenge with the guan dao.
"The guan dao was a weapon invented by the legendary Chinese general Guan Yu," Dave explained, "It was 6 feet long and weighed in at 11 pounds, something you can slash and stab with very nicely."
"11 pounds? Sounds cumbersome." Geoff says eyeing the polearm"
"There is a pointed counterweight used for balancing the heavy blade, which can also enable strikes from the opposite end," Yao explained.
"Alright. We will test it against s torso wearing ashigaru armor."
Yao walk over to the torso. With an overhead chop, he hits the jingasa with a jarring clang, denting it inward. He then stabs into the dou penetrating it.
Dr. Dorian inspects the damage.
"Your swing to the jingasa caused a moderate dent, he will definitely feel that hit. The stab to the dou, you penetrated 2 inches in and cut into his body, an injury."
Both weapons have proven their ability to penetrate their opponent's armor, but where do our panelists stand?
"I really like the guan dao, the yari does stab and slash, but the guan dao has the multi use blade, more options equals more kills. Edge guan dao." Geoff started.
"Agreed, the guan dao managed to penetrate the ashigaru armor, more options give it the edge. Edge guan dao." Dorian says.
'Also it hits a whole lot harder, edge guan dao." Mack concludes.
For mid-range weapons, the guan dao takes the edge.
Coming up, both warriors engage in a showdown of primitive black powder weapons when an early rifle goes toe-to-toe with an early multi-shot cannon.
XXXXX
The time has come for a showdown between two primitive black powder weapons. Up first will be the Ming Warrior with his 3-barrel pole cannon.
The crew moved outside to where Yao approached with his long range weapon.
"This is the 3-barrel pole cannon," he said presenting his primitive firearm, "It was three barrels arranged in a triangle, mounted on a single wooden handle, which in turn rested upon a wooden pole. In a major innovation for its time, it was capable of multiple shots."
"Well that's great because we'll test it against the torso there wearing ashigaru armor." Geoff says
Yao positions himself and with ignites the first touch hole and the round goes flying at the armor, penetrating it with blood seeping from underneath. He ignores the second touch hole and hits it just under the first hole, leaving another. His final shot goes straight through the torso's eye.
Dr. Dorian examines the damage.
"Your first round managed to bypass the armor, it actually strikes the aortic knob, no way he is alive."
"Nice design, but what if the wind blows your torch out? You'll be left with a cumbersome club. Our rifle is better." Shigeru said.
The ashigaru responds with their own deadly rifle.
"The Tanegashima was the Japanese equivalent of the European arquebus," Shigeru said displaying his firearm, "It fired .69 caliber ball rounds and altogether it weighed 9 pounds and measured 40 inches in length. Unlike many early matchlock firearms, it had a pistol grip and therefore wouldn't have required the use of a firing stand."
Shigeru will test the Tanegashima against a torso wearing ming armor.
"On 3...2...1... Fire! "
Shigeru aims his rifle, a pull of the trigger, the rifle fires the round at the torso, penetrating the armor and exiting out the back. He reloads his second shot, and with that, he fires at the face, obliterating it in a gory display.
Dr. Dorian checks the damage done.
"Impressive shooting, the first shit penetrated the armor and exiting out the back I guarantee every thing is torn apart in the body. The bullet hit the heart, instant kill. The face shot, obviously an instant kill, you destroyed his head pretty much."
Both teams have successfully destroyed their respective target. Which gets the edge?
"I'm giving the edge to the tanegashima, even though the cannon can fire three shots in rapid succession, the rifle has the larger caliber and more accuracy. Edge tanegashima." Geoff starts off.
"I have to go with the pole gun, sure the tanegashima has range and accuracy, but if the ashigaru misses, the ming can fire his next two shots into him. Edge pole gun." Dorian countered.
The tie breaker fell down onto Mack
"Doc, sorry once again, but without the stand, the pole gun's accuracy decreases. Tanegashima all the way."
In long range weapons, the ashigarus get the edge with their tanegashima.
Coming up, both sides reveal their special weapons, then later, ming warrior and ashigaru meet for the first time in a 5 on 5 battle to the death.
XXXX
Now the time has come for both warriors to unleash their powerful special weapons.
Yao walks with his nest of bees in hand
"What is that?" Geoff asked.
"I bring the Nest of Bees," Yao replied motioning towards his special weapon, "This is an early rocket battery, filled with 32 rocket-tipped arrows. In addition, the arrows could be tipped with poison or flammable materials such as pitch, bitumen or resin, as well as 'armor busters' and explosive. They could range from massive battery-like emplacements to handheld and could be used on land and water. Their range could go to 5 football fields away and they had an added psychological effect thanks to the noise and smoke."
"Cool, we have a charging horde of ashigaru, think you can deliver?
" Sure can." Yao replied.
Yao sets his nest of bees and lights up the fuse. and with a deafening hiss an entire volley of rocket-propelled arrows shot out of their canister, a blinding cloud of smoke following. When the smoke finally cleared there were several targets with arrows sticking out of them.
"I can tell already we have multiple kills in one shot, yet let's see how effective the shots were," Dr. Dorian said making his way over.
"With our guy on the horse I'm seeing one of the arrows impacted his armor, yet failed to penetrate," Dr. Dorian said pointing out a visible dent, "Probably not going to be enough to hurt him, yet should be enough to scare him."
The trauma doctor then inspected the rest of the dummies present, "From what I'm seeing, you only managed to hit six of the targets out of 32 arrows fired, yet at the same time I notice that all of your arrows that connected were instant kills," he reported, noticing some of the arrows had hit the dead center painted into the targets' chests.
"Can't say I'm impressed, our weapon was an early shotgun." Shigeru says.
The ashigaru fires back with a early shotgun
"The Osutzu was a combination of a hand-cannon and shotgun it might have only one shot but the damage that it deals with one shot is enough to kill three men." Dave explains.
Shigeru will fire his weapon at an armored torso.
" Whenever you're ready, go right ahead." Geoff said
Shigeru nods and with a pull of the trigger, releases a thunderous blast that left many holes in the Ming's armor.
" All your shots are instant kills, this armor is useless against the osutzu. This is equivalent to the blunderbuss." Dorian says.
Both warriors have shown their weapons destructive power. Which gets the edge?
"I am giving the edge to the osutzu, while the nest of bees has the arrow volley, the osutzu is more powerful and can get through the ming armor. Edge osutzu." Geoff says.
"Nope nope, nest of bees, the osutzu needs the right amount of gunpowder, too little, it miss fires, too much, it blows up in your hands, edge nest of bees." Dorian counters
The tie break yet again falls down upon Mack.
"Osutzu, the nest of bees does not deliver the right amount of damage you'd want, it didn't penetrate the ashigaru's armor, for sheer power and armor piercing capabilities. Edge osutzu. "
In special weapons, the osutzu gives the ashigarus the edge.
Coming up, Mack will gauge the x factors and we will finally see who is deadliest!
XXXX
Mack will now gauge the x factors of the warriors.
"Training will be covered, we ended up giving this for the Ming Warrior because he was extensively trained in various weaponry and martial arts. The ming gets a 94 to the ashigaru's 90
"Physicality is also factored, the ashigaru gets it because his armor is heavier and he has less cumbersome weapons. He gets a 87 to the Ming's 86."
"Killer instinct was a hard one, but we eventually gave it to the ming, the ashigaru, when they would face rival samurai, the battle were ritualistic to avoid mass slaughter. The ming gets a 92 to the ashigaru with an 85."
"For ferocity, the ming kicked the Mongols out of China and launched its greatest dynasty. He gets a 94 to the ashigaru with an 89."
"Lastly, we factor in loyalty the ashigaru only are loyal to who ever paid them most. The ming only fell when their empire died off. Ming gets a 95 to the ashigaru with an 80."
Our scientists and weapons experts are done testing the results and the time has come to decide who will be the victor. To ensure the battle won't be decided by a single lucky blow, the battle will be simulated one thousand times in a duel to the death.
Who will win a battle between two very similar warriors?
"In the end there can be only one. Let's find out," Mack said throwing the switch.
XXXX
The fight takes place in the Korean countryside. China is attempting to invade Japan by using Korea as a base of operations. Japan has sent its best armies to Korea to prevent a Chinese invasion of the island nation.
Five ashigaru foot soldiers enter a small village with reports of enemy activity in this area.
Ashigaru: 5
Entering from the other end if the village, five ming warriors enter it as well.
Ming: 5
The two groups approach the village square and spot each other. The two groups open fire on each other. A ming Warrior is hit by the ensuing gun fire and falls dead. An ashigaru it hit in the arm and the two groups split up.
Ashigaru: 5 - Ming: 4
The wounded ashigaru goes into a house but unknown to him, a ming warrior is lying in wait for him, as the foot soldier passes the doorway, the ming jumps out with his dao and slices the Japanese soldier's throat open in a gush of blood.
Ashigaru: 4 - Ming: 4
Two ming warriors are making their way pass a statue when suddenly a bullet hits the statue, nearby an ashigaru had fired his rifle and is now reloading it. The ming warriors plan to circle him from both sides and move in. The ashigaru is finished loading his rifle and takes aim, but he sees the ming aren't there. One ming appears out from behind a fence, the ashigaru aims for him but three gunshots are heard. The other ming had snuck behind him and fired his pole gun, the ashigaru falls dead three times over.
Ashigaru: 3 - Ming: 4
The ashigaru leader is running through the town past some barn building and a ming who had killed his man earlier jumps out and attempted to slash him. The leader dodges and draws his katana and slices the Ming's arm off. The ming falls to the ground yelling at his stump and the ashigaru leader stabs him in the heart.
Ashigaru: 3 - Ming 3
The ming leader is chased by an ashigaru and ducks into behind a rock, the ashigaru jumps on top of the rock and thrusts his yari downward, but he sees that the ming isn't there. A whistle is heard and he turns around. The ming captain fires a nest of bees and the ashigaru is peppered to death with multiple arrows stuck into his face.
Ashigaru: 2 - Ming: 3
Elsewhere in the village, an ashigaru and a guan dao wielding ming clash, the ashigaru attempts to stab the ming with his katana, but the ming elbows him and then performs a graceful spin with his guan dao, slicing the ashigaru's throat open.
Ashigaru: 1 - Ming: 3
The ming captain and his remaining men meet up in the village square, they know there is one more enemy left and they decide to again split up and find him.
The ming captain is off on his own while the other two search the outskirts of the village. They spot the ashigaru captain running up a rocky hill They yell out to their captain to follow them.
The captain hears them and goes to where they are.
The two ming make their way up the rocky hill and pass between two large boulders. The ashigaru captain lies in wait for them and fires his osutzu, the thunderous blast kills the two ming warriors and they lay dead with multiple holes in them.
Ashigaru: 1 - Ming: 1
The ming captain gets to where he thought he heard the blast and sees his men dead. Saddened. He is determined to avenge his men. He reaches the top of the rocky hill and sees the ashigaru captain. Both men knew this had to end. They draw their swords.
Both go into their respective battle stances and circle each other. The ming attacked first by doing a jump attack to which the Japanese warrior parried and slashed at the leather armor. The katana actually managed to cut into the armor but the ming is unharmed.
The ming luges again at the Japanese soldier who attempts to parry it, the ming only feigned this attack and swings into the ashigaru's arm, cutting it. The ashigaru grunts and holds his wound.
The ming sees his enemy is wounded, feeling cocky, he runs and swings and cuts the Japanese soldier across the face and he falls over. The ming goes to finish the fight and raises his sword high. Unknown to him, the ashigaru had an extra osutzu and fires, a thunderous blast echoes across the area and the ming flies back, dead from the guns powerful blast.
Ashigaru: 1- Ming: 0
The ashigaru gets up, he checks the ming and sees that he is dead, raises his katana and yells " BANZAI!"
XXXX
Winner: Ashigaru
Ashigaru: 564
Katana: 171
Yari: 50
Tanegashima: 220
Osutzu: 123
Ming Warrior: 436
Dao: 75
Guan Dao: 165
3 Barrel Pole Cannon: 96
Nest of Bees: 100
In a climatic battle between Asia's black powder marksmen, the ashigaru achieved victory, but it wasn't easy, the Ming's scoring the most kills in their arsenal and their superior training kept this from being anymore lopsided.
"The ashigaru won because they had superior firearms, superior armor and the better sword. The ming put up a challenge, but their inferior armor was easily penetrated by all the ashigaru's weapons." Geoff explained.
(The ashigaru captain is seen leaving the village, he turns and looks at the village and bows in memory of his men, he carries a guan dao, proof he had won another battle.)
XXXX
Next time on Deadliest Warrior, two front line infantry come to battle for their respective empires.
Roman Legionary: One of history's most disciplined warriors and backbone of the Roman empire.
vs.
Aztec Jaguar: Swift moving slayer of the ancient Mexican empire.
Who..is.. Deadliest!
Notice: I have decided to do Saladin vs. Charlemagne and Saxon Huscarl vs. Byzantine Soldier. Once again, anyone who wishes to help out with my match ups is welcome.