Overview: Japanese armour was developed to offer protection from spears, arrows, and swords, while allowing agile movement on rough terrain and steep slopes. After the introduction of firearms, the future shogun adopted aspects of Western-style armour, leading to a major turning point in Japanese history. The best armour is a complex work of art. It takes Japan's few remaining specialists up to three years to make a full suit. But today, enthusiasts will spend hundreds of hours crafting realistic replicas from everyday materials. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, we look at Japanese armour, its beauty, and what it means to people in Japan.