Ambidexterity, two weapon fighting Options

[Rory Blackhand]

I have a character concept in mind that requires ambidexterity to take advantage of a two weapon fighting style. If you look at the cover of Man and Machine it shows a samurai wielding 2 katanas simultaneously. I am trying to make a character on the path of becoming a "Kensai", (sword saint) and want to give him the best possible start I can to it.

I am confused by the number of differing systems to handle two weapon use though. First what is the current rule and the mechanics of how it works? Second is using two katanas acceptable? If not why not? Miyamoto Musashi used two katanas. Niten Ichi Ryu, "two heaven" style is a Kenjutsu art of two weapon use, sometimes two katanas. If not, then how about no dachi and katana for a troll sized character wishing to use this style? Is there a penalty for trolls to use two handed human sized weapons? I thought I saw a +1 penalty somewhere?

I also fight in the SCA, frequently with two long swords. The longer, the better, actualy. Anyone not familiar with the SCA, it is a "full contact" martial art using wooden weapons and real armor. I have been fighting for years. Two weapon style is common, but long sword/short sword is almost nonexistant, simply because it does not work as well as two long swords. This is not ancient history, this is real world practicality.

This link shows two long sword fighting in a tournament:

http://4th.com/photo.php?dir=sca/justin/ph...0030525-157.jpg

This link shows a grainy (sorry) video of a war, if you look carefuly you can see two weapon style being used in battle, skirmishers though, not in the main line:

http://www.romanempire.net/romepage/images...f%20movie02.asf

I am not sure on the rules, so I wanted to get some advice here. I am looking at the Canon Companion and it has variying degrees of ambidexterity edge. Is this an optional rule? To get no penalties you have to take an 8 point edge?

I would like to be able to use two swords with the least amount of penalties. I really don't care about ranged combat for this character concept. I just want to be the best two weapon swordsman possible. Any help is appreciated.