A Samurai's armor generally consisted of Wood with perhaps iron bindings and a very thin plate. They didn't even move fast in this armor. Let's not forget that some Samurai's even had expensive, flashy armor made of multiple iron plates literally tied down ontop of eachother in a "scale" pattern". They would move even slower then. I have no doubt that two equally skilled swordsmen fighting, one weilding a Sabre, Hand-and-a-half sword, or a Rapier in European steel chainmail and greaves and the other in classic Samurai armor weilding a Katana, would end with the Sabre comming out on top. The European swords would cleave right through that wood and more than likely peirce the cheap iron plate with a good lunge behind it. If that doesn't work, a bet 20 Turkish Janisarries would make raw sewage of five, maybe even ten Samurai's. ... Of course, there's Ninja's.. 1. Ninjas are mammals. 2. Ninjas fight ALL the time. 3. The purpose of the ninja is to flip out and kill people. Taken off The Real Ultimate Power website.