During the warring age in Japan, samurai weapons and armor evolved to meet changing needs on the battlefield. Samurai increasingly fought as mounted spearmen rather than archers, so their armor became made of solid plates for protection instead of many small sewn pieces. Their main weapons included swords made of different steel types for strength and flexibility, spears for mounted combat, and bows with bamboo and wood construction. The purpose of samurai armor was to facilitate movement while riding horses into battle and to identify warriors through symbolic crests and banners displaying their clan.

1. Swords, Armor, and Bows By Thomas A and Soo L