Through convention and dictate, the Light Weapons practice in the Kingdom of Caid conforms principally to the Shinai fighting style, simulating sword and pole weapon practices common to the orient in the Middle Ages. This is not to say that Light Weapons MUST be Shinai, only that Shinai will definitely be accepted while more esoteric forms of combat may not be. For those of non-oriental persona assume that a naginata is equivalent to a glaive, a shinai to a rapier and a wakizashi to a short sword. Padded and 'boffer style' weapons will in general not be acceptable for Light Weapons combat.
Throat and neck: The throat and neck must be protected with a minimum of a 2" wide strip of leather with at least 1/2" of resilient foam worn dog-collar fashion, a leather or metal gorget backed with 1/2" of resilient foam, a cervical collar or a full camaile or coif suspended such that a blow cannot reach the neck. Regardless of the armor worn, the throat and neck must not be touchable with a closed fist in any orientation of the head.
Groin: The groin of male fighters must be protected by a hockey, soccer or Karate cup. Female fighters must have groin protection in the form of heavy leather backed by 1/4" of resilient foam or equivalent. Female fighters are prohibited from wearing male type athletic cups as they are not designed for use against the female pelvic structure and present an increased danger rather than protection.
Kidney: If fighting is to include Light Combat Archery, each fighter must have the equivalent of heavy leather covering the back and sides of the kidney area.
Breasts: The breasts of female fighters must be protected by fencing cups, a solid breastplate or equivalent protection such as heavy leather backed with 0.25" of resilient material. A standard gambeson made of a heavy moving pad or equivalent is considered adequate unless combat archery will be included in the combat, in which case the more solid forms of protection are required.
Hands: The hands and wrists must be covered by at least a lightly padded glove or padded welder's gloves. If fighting is to include Light Combat Archery, the archer's string hand may have the fingers cut away.
Feet: Shoes or boots must be worn on the field of combat. All shoes or boots shall provide protection for at least the soles of the feet and should present an appropriate period appearance. Sandals are acceptable (but not recommended) provided they have a hard sole. Elbows 8c Knees: The joints of both arms and both legs must be covered by a minimum of athletic type elbow/knee pads or equivalent.
Additional Protection: If the combat is to include Light Combat Archery, each fighter must have no exposed skin on the arms, legs and torso. It is highly recommended that all fighters have body armor composed of at least a moving pad or equivalent gambeson. Sleeves and pant legs must be made of sturdy material (denim, trigger cloth, light leather, etc.), that will resist tearing from draw cuts, arrows or other normal blows.
Heavy Weapons Armor: The use of heavy weapons armor is discouraged but allowed, provided all exposed and sharp edges are padded to prevent damage to shinais and the wearer does not show problems with blow acknowledgment.
Appearance: All gear should be as period in appearance as possible. Undisguised athletic gear including elbow and knee pads must be covered or at a minimum have all mundane distinguishing marks covered, removed or dyed out. Athletic shoes, blue jeans and other obviously mundane items are expressly prohibited.
Shields
Shields may be made from wood or equivalent material (such as plastic), provided all edges are rounded and have an edge width of no less than 0.5". Shield edges shall be covered with leather, rubber hose or equivalent. Metal shields are prohibited. No contact between any shield and any part of an opponent's body or limbs is allowed. It is permissible to have a shield or buckler on both arms providing all requirements for using a shield are met. Contacting an opponent's body or limbs with a shield shall be considered a loss for the individual with the shield. The following two types of shields are allowed:
Forearm Shields: A forearm shield has a maximum width of 8" and may be no longer than the wearer's elbow to first digit of the fingers. These shields may be oblong or rectangular provided they have rounded, padded corners and may be attached to the forearm in any safe manner. If the shield only extends to the wrist, it is required that the fighters have a more heavily padded glove on the shield hand due to the increased probability that the hand will be struck while attempting to block.
Bucklers: Bucklers may have a maximum diameter of 18" and may only be hand-held. They may not be attached to the arm in any fashion.
Materials: All weapons may be made from hollow, dry bamboo, light non-ridged or hollow plastic, or light non-ridged or hollow rattan. Other materials may be acceptable but the finished weapon must demonstrate flexibility and durability equivalent to a commercial shinai. Weapons made from materials other than those specifically mentioned above must be approved for use by the Earl Marshal or his designated representative (for use in Caid only).
Construction Standards: All swords must normally be made using only the standard four plank construction. One crack per plank is acceptable in the weapon, but more cracks than one in any one plank will cause the weapon to be illegal. If the weapons has a string marking the edge, it shall be considered the back of the weapon. Commercially available shinai shall be considered acceptable provided the felt covering on the tip and the string are in good shape.
It is acceptable to use a two plank construction, provided both planks have no cracks and the planks are oriented with the flat sides parallel to each other and perpendicular to the line of attack, in a similar fashion to that construction techniques used on Pole Weapons. Weapons using a two-plank construction shall have a blade no longer than 24". Due to their increased chance of breakage two plank weapons shall be inspected before each combat.
All cutting edges shall be marked with red tape. Swords may have one or two edges as indicated by the red tape. No thrown, projectile, flail or chain type weapons are allowed unless they are authorized for a specific event by the Crown, the Earl Marshal or his Deputies.
All swords shall have a basket hilt, cross quillions, tsuba or equivalent hand guard extending at least 1.25" from the blade to prevent the opposing weapon from sliding down the blade onto the hand.
Weapons of non-standard design or type shall be passed on to a Lights Marshal or Senior Marshal for approval. If a weapon has been previously approved, the Marshal-in-Charge shall examine it for safety and wear. If the safety of the weapon is questioned, it shall be presented to the Earl Marshal for examination.
Fighting with two swords is allowed provided both are of legal construction and both are 36" or less in length.
Construction Standards: All pole weapons must be made using only the standard two plank construction with one plank behind the other to prevent breakage while allowing flexibility along the edge. Shafts must be made from completely taped bamboo, light rattan or solid hardwoods. Broomsticks and doweling are explicitly forbidden. There are Q thrusting pole weapons or weapons with butt-spikes allowed.
No pole weapon may exceed 7.5 feet in length, with the blade section of 15" to 24" in length. The blade may be made of bamboo strips or other similar flexible material that is at least 1" in width.
Naginata (glaive or pole arm) may be used provided they meet all other construction standards. A naginata may never be made by lashing together two shinai.
Wakizashi (shoto, shashi-zoe - short sword) may be used provide they are of commercial manufacture or equivalent and have no known breaks.
The cutting edges of all pole weapons shall be marked in red tape. Weapons may be one or two edged as indicated by the red marking tape, provided their construction allows safe use of the back of the blade and they are approved by the Marshal-in-Charge.
| Caid Combat Handbook - Volume II | 8/30/95 |