Japan, Muromachi and Edo Periods

The era from 1333 to 1573 is called the Muromachi period because the Ashikaga family ruled from the Muromachi district of Kyoto (…..). During the Muromachi period Noh theatre developed in Japan. Actors were masks and perform on a bare stage with painted backdrop and musicians accompany the actors (…….) Furthermore two great monuments survive from Muromachi period, the Kinkaku-ji and the Ginkaku-ji, (gold and silver pavilions) in Kyoto (……). However in 1466 the Ashikaga family argued over who would be the next shogun. The argument became the Onin War from 1467-1477. The fighting took place mostly in and around Kyoto and much of the city was destroyed. By the end of the 15th century central authority had virtually disappeared. While there was still an emperor he was only a figurehead and Japan was afflicted by a long series of civil wars as rival landowners, called daimyos, fought for power (….).

The style of Japanese armor was well established in the middle of the Heian period (794-1185) when the warrior class (the Samurai) came into existence. Changes were introduced over the years in accordance with changes in strategies and weapons in warfare, but the basic design of the armor remained the same (Sweeney 2003). The early armors, known as Ooyoroi (great harnesses) were designed to withstand arrows and glancing sword cuts and, at the same time, allow maximum freedom of movement for the wearer to use his own weapons. The fundamental principle was flexibility (Sweeney 2003). Over the course of the following centuries, with large armies of foot soldiers armed with lances, the armor became lighter. In response to the introduction of firearms from Europe in the mid-sixteenth century, a shield like heavy iron-plate armor was produced. Iron face guards were added to cover either the lower half or the whole of the face. Some were modeled in the form of ferocious faces with mustaches and violent expressions. This was an age when the individual could rise...