I don't understand why so many people say that the game doesn't teach you about combat until Kakariko. Every single facet of combat, I learned and practice while still on the Great Plateau. I mean, i still kinda sucked at them but I was nonetheless exposed to things like Perfect Parries and...
I'd say that the early game is much more difficult. There are lots of new enemies and weapons, your armor might suck and you may not know how to improve it, it could be dozens or even one hundred hours into the game before you find out how to get better damage resistance. Dodging, or parrying...