On the topic of weapons, armor and the VS between who has the better armaments. Weapons and Armor don't mean squat if the wielder isn't well versed in their use. Assuming you have two masters of their craft, meeting on neutral ground with all the weapons they'd normally use. That's what i call a scripted encounter. Where it's nigh impossible for such an instance to happen.

Science advanced each countries technology to match the opponents they would typically face. While some armies where highly successful with fewer advances in technology they also had great tactics and favorable circumstances. In the real world, rarely does anything ever work according to Plan A. By the time they win they're using Plan D or H. 

Katanas. HAHAHA! They are not super weapons. They're made of earth found metals. They're not alien nor supernatural, and they do have limitations. Katanas are piercing and slashing weapons. Worn as a sign of social status and far to expensive for most common soldiers to even purchase. This is nothing new to any common soldier, European soldiers fighting for kings had basic weapons, maybe a woodcutting axe, or a hammer. Sometimes a shield or buckler. Any high ranking soldier had access to better arms and gear, this has always been the truth. If I was paid more I'd buy lifesaving gear. Proper swords, some good armor. A shield that's not made from a table.

Japanese armor was well built to withstand piercing and slashing. From Katanas. And every armor has it's weakness, and professional soldiers knew how to exploit those weaknesses.

There's no clear winner with regard to who has the better gear. Experienced masters would try and exploit any weaknesses they can find, and if the other is killed it's because the other utilized their skills quicker.

That's my rant. I'm no weapons expert but there are clear things one can see just by stepping back and looking. And I am aware of many different weapons and armor. Each will be made for a specific purpose, against enemies a country usually faces. And trying to force an encounter between two fictional soldiers who've never would have met in a real world setting would net so many variables that it's become nearly impossible to judge without bias.