[ender7]

While beautiful, most of these pieces are primarily ceremonial or intended for generals who would rarely involve themselves on the battlefield†.

Almost all of these pieces date from after the unification of Japan under the Tokugawa shogunate (c. 1600). From 1600 to 1850 Japan experienced a stable period marked by very little real armed conflict. During this time, the samurai transitioned from soldiers to what were effectively mid-level bureaucrats. However, unlike most bureaucrats, they managed to retain all of the trappings of a martial lifestyle, including ornate armor, beautiful swords, and the occasional mortal duel. It was during this time of relative peace that these (sometimes ridiculous) fashion pieces developed, somewhat complicated by the tradition of incorporating pieces of much, much older helmets into the "core" of the helmets (one of the helmets in the OP has a core dating from the 14th century, but was significantly embellished later on).

†This is generally true of what arms and armor have survived from around the world. The stuff that was actually used rusted away long ago; the highest chance for survival was to have been so valuable that no one dared to actually take it onto a battlefield.

[chewz]

> and the occasional mortal duel.

Duels under Tokugawa were forbidden and punishable by death of both opponents. The only fighting that samurai could see was terrorizing of unarmed peasants.

Samurai were not warriors in European sense but more of a mob enforcers. Good for terrorizing peasants not really fit for fighting in any military sense.

During Meiji when peasants got professional military training and leadership samurai became toothless.

[BUSHIDO: WAY OF TOTAL BULLSHIT] https://www.tofugu.com/japan/bushido/

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Kumamoto_Castle

[2] https://www.historynet.com/satsuma-rebellion-satsuma-clan-sa...

[z3phyr]

That is during the Shogunate. Before the unification, The samurai were involved with actual on field battles.

[chewz]

Mostly using arrows not swords. But yumi is inferior weapon compared to reflexive bow used by Chinese, Korean, Mongol or Turkic soldiers.

Also if you look at any Japanese castle (Himeji had been well preserved by US Bomber Command for navigational purposes) you will quickly realize that any continental army will take at most a week to dry it's moats and dig mines under it's wall. Fortunately Japan never had seen invading army on its soil.

[1] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yumi

[2] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Composite_bow

This samurai / bushido hype is so much out of proportion and simply untrue.

While in the same time real history of Asia is full of military class of exceptional value. Indian Rajput, Islamic Gunpowder Empires, Malays, Mongols - to name just a few

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunpowder_Empires

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajput

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malacca_Sultanate

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qing_dynasty

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hwarang

[z3phyr]

I am not going to compare medieval continental technology to medieval Japan because that would be against the spirit of comparison. Japan was pretty closed society even when they traded with the continent. While it is true that the continent saw cutting edge tech in terms of unbalanced battle situations, we can surely appreciate the Japanese stuff for it's aesthetic vibe.

If Japan was suddenly in the continent, I am sure they would have to compete and modify their war society like the rest did. But the root aesthetics would be the same.