Samurai Armor

Kumamoto Castle
Kyushu, Japan

Japanese armor consisted of a multitude of laquered (to prevent rusting) iron strips, colorfully painted and ingeniously joined with cords to provide both strength and flexibility. European armor solved the same problem in different ways, and provides an instructive comparison.

Japan's "Darth Vader" helmets provided an inspiration for Star Wars, along with many other aspects of the Japanese martial arts.

A fine suit of armor such as this would probably have belonged to the daimyo (castle lord), and would have been used more for ceremony than for action.