One Word... Crowbar. Yes, I'm a Half-Life fan. Was it the signature that gave it away? Haha, no just kidding.

While Zelda is Japanese, and Hyrule has references to places all over the world, the Hylians are decidedly western. Their architecture, weaponry, and culture show characteristics of Europe, not the Far East. The Master Sword should probably remain of western design, but the idea of a katana implements an oppurtunity for a more complex combat system. I'm not trying to shoot down your idea, only adjust it.

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"The only person I know how to be is me. Whoever that is." -Bob Dylan