甲冑の種類と変遷 JP/CN/EN

中文/English version/日本語
兵庫県立博物館からの情報。
數據來自兵庫縣立博物館。
Information from the Hyogo Prefectural Museum.

大鎧（おおよろい）/ 大铠 / Ō-yoroi Part 1

平安時代以降の日本の甲冑には、大きく分けて４つの種類があります。ここではそれぞれの違いについて説明していきます。注目する点は、胴に体を入れるための口がどこに開くのかということと、草摺（くさずり）と呼ばれる腰から下を防御するスカート状の部品の数になります。

まずは「大鎧（おおよろい）」です。大鎧は、草摺が４枚（＝４間）にわかれ、胴の右側に脇楯（わいだて）と呼ばれる別部品が付く形式の甲冑の名称です。着用する場合は、脇楯を先に着け、その後で胴の横から体を入れることになります。

大鎧の胴の前面には弦走（つるばしり）の絵韋（えがわ）がはられることが多く、左胸に鳩尾（きゅうび）の板、右胸に栴檀（せんだん）の板と呼ぶ部品がつきます。また、両肩から上腕部の防御のため、大袖（おおそで）をつけるのも基本となっていました。胴や大袖、草摺は、小札（こざね）と呼ばれる小さな革や鉄の板を、威毛（おどしげ）と呼ばれる絹糸などの組紐や革紐などで綴り合わせて作られました。
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在平安時代之後的日本，甲冑大致可以分為四種類型。這裡將解釋各自的不同點。重點在於胴部為身體開口的位置，以及被稱為草摺（裙狀部分，保護腰以下部分）的部件數量。

首先是「大鎧（おおよろい）」。大鎧的草摺分為四片（=四間），胴的右側有一個稱為脇楯（側盾）的附加部件。穿著時，先穿上脇楯，然後從胴側將身體滑入。

大鎧的胴前面通常裝有弦走（弦狀圖案）的繪革，左胸有鳩尾板，右胸則有栴檀板。此外，為了保護肩部至上臂部，基本上會加裝大袖。胴、大袖和草摺是由稱為小札（小型皮革或鐵板）的小片，透過稱為威毛（絲線或皮帶等織帶）的組織或皮帶等綴合而成。

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In Japan, after the Heian period, there were broadly four types of armor. This explanation will focus on their differences, particularly where the opening for the body is in the torso and the number of skirt-like parts called kusazuri, which protect from the waist down.

First is the "ō-yoroi." The ō-yoroi has four sections of kusazuri and features an additional component on the right side of the torso called a "waidate" (side shield). When wearing it, the waidate is put on first, and then the body is slid into the torso from the side.

The front of the ō-yoroi’s torso often has a strap running picture leather, with a dove-tail plate on the left chest and a sandalwood plate on the right chest. Additionally, to protect the shoulders and upper arms, it is standard to attach large sleeves. The torso, large sleeves, and kusazuri are made by stitching together small pieces of leather or metal plates called "kozane," using braided cords or leather strips known as "odoshi-ge."

大鎧（おおよろい）/ 大铠 / Ō-yoroi Part 2

大鎧は、平安時代以来、上級の騎馬武者が着用する甲冑として用いられました。このころの戦いの主流であった騎馬武者の弓射戦に対応して発達した甲冑で、重量はありますが弓矢への防御力は高いという特徴があります。

左胸の鳩尾の板、右胸の栴檀の板も、こうした弓射戦に適応した部品になっています。鳩尾の板は鉄板に絵韋をはった部品で防御力が強いものです。これに対して栴檀の板は胴や草摺、大袖などと同様に小札を綴ったもので、防御力は落ちますが可動性が高い点に特徴があります。騎馬武者の左手を弓手（ゆんで）といいますが、右利きの武者の場合は左手で弓を持って敵側に向かうことになります。そのため、左胸には防御力の強い鳩尾の板がつくことになったとみられています。これに対して右手は馬手（めて）といい、馬を扱う場合は手綱を持ち、弓を射る場合は矢をつがえ弦を引きしぼる手になります。さらに太刀戦の場合は太刀を振るう腕にもなります。こうした右腕を動かしにくいと、弓を放つときや太刀打ちの際の邪魔になりますので、右胸には可動性の高い栴檀の板がつけられるようになったと考えられているのです。

大鎧の姿は、時代とともに少しずつ変化していきました。平安時代末期の古いタイプは胴の腰元が裾広がりの豪壮な姿をみせます。しかし、鎌倉時代後期ごろになると、腰がややくびれる姿に変化していきました。これは、鎧の重量を肩のみではなく、腰でも負担することでより動きやすくする工夫と考えられています。また、左脇の下に脇板と呼ばれる鉄板に絵韋をはった部品がつくものもみられますが、これは古いものにはなく、鎌倉時代ごろからつけられるようになったものです。

大鎧は、次項で述べるように南北朝時代以降上級武者の胴丸使用が一般化すると、次第に実用品としては用いられなくなっていきました。
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大鎧自平安時代以來一直被用作高級騎馬武者的甲冑。這種甲冑是為了適應當時主流的騎馬射箭戰而發展的，雖然重量較重，但對弓箭的防禦能力很高。

左胸的鳩尾板和右胸的栴檀板也是為了適應弓箭戰而設計的部件。鳩尾板是一個覆蓋有繪革的鐵板，具有很強的防禦力。而栴檀板則和胴、草摺、大袖一樣，是由小札拼接而成的，雖然防禦力較弱，但可動性較高。騎馬武者的左手被稱為弓手，右撇子的武者會用左手持弓面向敵人，因此左胸配備了防禦力強的鳩尾板。而右手則稱為馬手，操作馬匹時持韁繩，射箭時則是裝箭和拉弓的手，且在使用太刀時，也是揮舞太刀的手臂。因此，右胸裝有可動性高的栴檀板，這樣不會在射箭或揮太刀時妨礙動作。

大鎧的樣式隨著時代逐漸發生變化。平安時代末期的古老型式顯示出胴部腰部下方寬大壯觀的形態。然而，到了鎌倉時代後期，其形態變為腰部稍微收緊，這被認為是為了使甲冑不僅由肩部承重，腰部也分擔重量，從而更易於活動的設計改進。此外，左腋下會加裝一稱為脇板的覆蓋繪革的鐵板，這在古老的甲冑中是沒有的，大約從鎌倉時代開始加裝。

如下節所述，當南北朝時代以後高級武者普遍使用胴丸時，大鎧逐漸不再作為實用品使用。

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The ō-yoroi has been used as armor by high-ranking cavalry warriors since the Heian period. This armor was developed to accommodate mounted archery, the dominant form of combat at the time, and though it is heavy, it offers high protection against arrows.

The dove-tail plate on the left chest and the sandalwood plate on the right chest were also designed for archery combat. The dove-tail plate is a strong defensive piece made of iron with a painted leather cover. The sandalwood plate, like the torso, kusazuri (skirt), and large sleeves, is assembled from small plates, offering less protection but greater mobility. The left hand of a cavalry warrior is called the "bow hand," and for a right-handed warrior, this means holding the bow in the left hand facing the enemy. This necessitated a strong protective plate on the left chest. The right hand, known as the "horse hand," holds the reins when handling the horse and loads and draws the bow when shooting; it is also the arm swinging the sword in sword combat. The high mobility of the sandalwood plate on the right chest prevents interference during bow shooting or sword swinging.

The appearance of the ō-yoroi gradually changed over time. The old style from the late Heian period shows a robust, flared look at the waist of the torso. However, by the late Kamakura period,

the design changed to a slightly cinched waist, believed to distribute the weight of the armor not only on the shoulders but also on the waist to facilitate easier movement. Additionally, an iron plate covered with painted leather called a "wakibyō" was added under the left arm, a feature not found in older armors and started to be added around the Kamakura period.

As mentioned in the following section, as the use of "dōmaru" became common among high-ranking warriors during and after the Nanboku-chō period, the ō-yoroi gradually ceased to be used as practical armor.

大鎧（おおよろい）/ 大铠 / Ō-yoroi Part 3

露の世は露の世ながらさりながら

胴丸（どうまる）/ 胴丸 / Dō-maru

「胴丸（どうまる）」は、中・下級の徒歩（かち）武者の甲冑として発達したものです。基本形式は、草摺が８間にわかれ、右脇から体を入れて引合緒（ひきあわせのお）で結びつけるものとなります。また、当初は両肩には杏葉（ぎょうよう）と呼ばれる鉄板に絵韋をはった部品をつけ、大袖の代わりの防具としていました。しかし、のちに胴丸を上級武者も着用するようになると、大袖の着用が一般化していきます。このように大袖を着けた場合は、杏葉は両胸にぶらさげられるようになります。

胴丸は、大鎧と比べると軽量でより軽快な動きが可能というところから、南北朝時代以降は次第に上級の武者も着用するようになっていきました。これは、このころ以降、騎馬武者の弓射戦から、徒歩武者の打物戦が主流となっていったことに対応した現象と考えられています。馬から降りての打物戦では、甲冑もより動きやすいことが重視されたと考えられているのです。

また、こうした動きやすさが重視されるようになったため、胴丸も時代が新しくなるにつれて、裾広がりの姿から腰がややくびれた姿へと変化していきました。さらに、喉元や大腿部の防御を強化するために、南北朝時代ごろから喉輪（のどわ）や佩楯（はいだて）も用いられるようになっていきました。

なお、今日胴丸と呼んでいる甲冑は、中世には腹巻と呼ばれており、逆に今日の腹巻を中世には胴丸と呼んでいました。これは、戦国時代末期以降、後述する当世具足が発展して甲冑の主流となっていく中で、古い甲冑の本来の呼び名がよくわからなくなり、名称が逆転してしまったためと考えられています。
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「胴丸（どうまる）」是作為中、下級徒步武者的甲冑而發展的。基本形式是草摺分為八間，從右側將身體滑入並用拉合繩結綁。起初，兩肩會裝有叫做杏葉的鐵板覆蓋繪革的部件，作為大袖的代替防具。然而，當胴丸開始被上級武者穿戴後，穿著大袖逐漸成為常態。在配戴大袖的情況下，杏葉會被掛在兩側胸部。

與大鎧相比，胴丸輕量且能夠進行更輕快的動作，因此從南北朝時代開始，上級武者也逐漸開始穿戴。這反映了從騎馬弓箭戰轉向徒步打物戰成為主流的現象。在徒步打物戰中，重視甲冑的活動性變得更為重要。

隨著時間的推移，由於越來越重視活動性，胴丸的形狀也從裾広がり的形態變為腰部稍微收緊的形態。此外，為了加強對喉嚨和大腿部的保護，從南北朝時代開始使用了喉輪（喉部保護圈）和佩楯（佩帶的盾牌）。

值得注意的是，今天所稱的胴丸在中世時期被稱為腹巻，而今天的腹巻在中世時期則被稱為胴丸。這種名稱的逆轉，被認為是由於戰國時代末期以後，當時具足的發展使其成為甲冑的主流，在這一過程中，對古老甲冑的原始名稱的了解逐漸模糊。
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"Dōmaru" was developed as armor for middle and lower class infantry warriors. Its basic form consists of a kusazuri divided into eight sections, entered from the right side and tied with a drawstring. Initially, iron plates covered with painted leather called "gyōyō" were attached to both shoulders as a substitute for large sleeves. However, as dōmaru began to be worn by higher-ranking warriors, the wearing of large sleeves became normalized. When large sleeves were worn, gyōyō would hang on both chests.

Compared to ō-yoroi, dōmaru is lighter and allows for more agile movements, hence from the Nanboku-chō period onward, even higher-ranking warriors started wearing it. This shift reflects the transition from mounted archery to infantry melee combat as the main form of warfare. In such foot-soldier battles, greater mobility in armor became crucial.

Over time, as mobility became increasingly important, the shape of the dōmaru evolved from a flared bottom to a slightly cinched waist. Additionally, to enhance protection for the throat and thighs, throat rings and hanging shields began to be used from the Nanboku-chō period.

Interestingly, what is called dōmaru today was known as hara-maki in the medieval period, and what is today's hara-maki was called dōmaru back then. This reversal of names is thought to have occurred as armor like the tōsei-gusoku became mainstream during the late Sengoku period, leading to a loss of understanding about the original names of older armors.

腹巻（はらまき）/ 腹卷 / Haramaki (armour)

「腹巻（はらまき）」は、背中から体を入れて引き合わせる形式の甲冑で、草摺は７間にわかれるものが一般的でした。先ほど述べたように、戦国時代まではこちらが胴丸と呼ばれていました。古くは下級武者用の甲冑で、胴丸よりもさらに軽量なものです。また、大鎧・胴丸と同様に、新しくなるにつれて腰がくびれていきます。また、背中の引合部分の空隙をカバーする背板（せいた）も用いられるようになりました。

室町～戦国時代になると、総大将クラスの上級武者も腹巻を着用することが一般化していきます。このように上級武者が着用するようになると、腹巻にも大袖が付属するものがみられるようになりました。
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「腹巻（はらまき）」是一種甲冑，其特點是從背後進入並通過前方綁緊，草摺通常分為七間。正如之前所述，直到戰國時代，這種甲冑被稱為胴丸。它最初是為下級武者所用的輕量級甲冑，比胴丸更輕。隨著時間的推進，腹巻的設計也逐漸變得腰部較為收緊。此外，也開始使用背板（位於背部綁緊處的板），以覆蓋背部的開口處。

從室町到戰國時代，連總大將級別的上級武者也普遍開始穿戴腹巻。隨著腹巻被上級武者穿用，也開始見到附有大袖的腹巻。大袖的加入不僅增加了防護，也提升了甲冑的地位象徵。

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"Hara-maki" is a type of armor entered from the back and fastened at the front, typically with kusazuri divided into seven sections. As previously mentioned, until the Sengoku period, this armor was referred to as dōmaru. Initially designed for lower-ranked warriors, it was even lighter than dōmaru. Over time, as with ō-yoroi and dōmaru, the waist of hara-maki also became more cinched. Additionally, a backplate (seita) was used to cover the gap at the back fastening area.

From the Muromachi to the Sengoku period, it became common even for high-ranking commanders to wear hara-maki. As hara-maki began to be worn by higher-ranking warriors, versions with large sleeves were also developed, enhancing both protection and the symbolic status of the armor.

当世具足（とうせいぐそく）part 1

戦国時代も末期になると、「当世具足（とうせいぐそく）」と呼ばれる新しい形式の甲冑が盛んに用いられるようになりました。当世具足には、前代までの胴丸の系譜を引く特徴がみられますが、同時に戦国期以降の戦闘で主流となっていった槍武者の集団戦や鉄砲戦に対応するために、より頑丈かつ軽快に動けるような工夫が凝らされています。

まず、胴は前代までの小札を綴り合わせるものも残る一方で、煉革（ねりがわ）や鉄の一枚板である板札（いたざね）を上下方向につなぎ合わせたものが多くなりました。ただし、板札は小札を綴り合わせたものと異なり柔軟に屈曲しませんので、そのままでは胴の着脱が困難となります。そのため、胴の左脇などに蝶番（ちょうつがい）を設けて開閉自在にするなどの工夫が加えられました。

当世具足の胴は、この蝶番で繋がれた胴部品の数が分類する際の一つの基準となっており、たとえば、胴の前面と背面を一箇所の蝶番で繋ぐものを二枚胴といいます。このほか、蝶番で繋ぐ箇所をさらに増やして、五枚胴、六枚胴としたものもみられます。いずれの形式の胴でも、体を入れるための引合部は前代の胴丸のように右脇に開けられるものが一般的でした。

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在戰國時代的末期，一種被稱為「當世具足（とうせいぐそく）」的新形式甲冑開始被廣泛使用。當世具足保留了前代胴丸的特點，但為了適應戰國時代以後成為主流的槍武者集團戰和鐵炮戰，也加入了使其更堅固且靈活移動的創新設計。

首先，胴部不僅保留了以前用小札綴合的形式，也增加了用煉革或鐵製的單片板札縱向連接的設計。但是，由於板札不像小札那樣可以靈活彎曲，這使得穿脫變得困難。因此，在胴的左脇等部位裝設了可以開關的蝶鉸鏈，以便穿脫。

當世具足的胴部以這些蝶鉸鏈連接的胴部件數量為分類標準之一，例如，前後胴部只用一個蝶鉸鏈連接的稱為「二枚胴」。此外，增加更多蝶鉸鏈連接的胴部稱為「五枚胴」或「六枚胴」。無論哪種形式，胴部的開口部分通常像前代的胴丸一樣設在右脇。

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By the end of the Sengoku period, a new form of armor known as "Tōsei Gusoku" started to be widely utilized. Tōsei Gusoku retained features from the earlier "dōmaru" but incorporated innovations to make it more robust and agile, adapting to the predominant group battles with spears and firearms during and after the Sengoku period.

Initially, the torso continued to use smaller plates laced together, but it increasingly integrated larger single pieces of leather or iron plates called "itazane" connected vertically. However, these large plates do not bend as flexibly as the smaller ones, making donning and doffing difficult. Therefore, innovations such as hinges (chōtsugai) were added, particularly on the left side of the torso, to facilitate opening and closing.

In Tōsei Gusoku, the number of torso parts connected by hinges serves as one classification criterion. For instance, armors with the front and back of the torso connected at one hinge point are referred to as "nimaedō." Additional hinge points lead to classifications such as "gomaedō" or "rokumaedō." Typically, like the earlier dōmaru, the openings to insert the body are on the right side, regardless of the armor style.

当世具足（とうせいぐそく）part 2

草摺は７間のものが多くみられますが、中には13間に分かれるものなど、数多くのバリエーションがあります。また、揺糸（ゆるぎのいと）と呼ばれる胴と草摺を繋ぐ糸が長いものが一般化していきました。これは、刀を差す上帯（うわおび）を巻いても、草摺が自由に動くようにする工夫と考えられています。さらに、ほとんどの遺品に草摺の下に着用して大腿部を防御する佩楯（はいだて）や、顔面から喉元までを覆う垂（たれ）付の面頬（めんぽう）が付属しており、より防御力を高めています。

このように、当世具足は戦場での防御力、機動力を高めるための工夫が随所に凝らされているのですが、同時にデザインにも工夫がみられます。とくに上級武者が着用したものには独自の意匠を凝らしたものが多く、後述する奇抜な形態の変わり兜とともに、戦場で自らの存在を誇示することをねらった具足が数多く制作されました。
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草摺通常有7間的設計最為普遍，但也存在多達13間的各種變體。此外，稱為揺糸（ゆるぎのいと）的線將胴和草摺連接，而且這種長線日益普及。這被認為是一種設計，以確保即使繞上用來插刀的上帯（腰帶），草摺仍能自由移動。大多數遺留下來的甲冑在草摺下配有佩楯（保護大腿的部分）和附有垂（覆蓋面部至喉部的部分）的面頬（面具），這些都增加了其防禦力。

因此，當世具足在戰場上的防禦力和機動性都進行了精心設計，同時在設計上也顯示出巧思。特別是由上級武者穿戴的甲冑，常常具有獨特的設計，並與下文將提及的奇特形狀的變わり兜（特殊設計的頭盔）一起，這些甲冑旨在戰場上突顯其佩戴者的地位和存在。

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Kusazuri, or skirt plates, commonly have seven sections, but variations with as many as thirteen sections exist. Additionally, the use of longer connecting threads known as yurugi no ito between the dō (torso) and kusazuri became standard. This design allows the kusazuri to move freely even when an upper belt (uwao-bi), used for inserting swords, is worn. Most relics also come with a haidate (thigh guard) worn under the kusazuri and a menpō with tare (a mask with a protective flap covering the face to the throat), enhancing their defensive capabilities.

Thus, Tōsei gusoku was intricately designed to improve both defense and mobility on the battlefield, but it also featured thoughtful designs. Particularly, the armor worn by higher-ranking warriors often bore unique designs, and together with the unusual shaped kabuto (helmets) that will be mentioned later, these armors were crafted to display the wearer's presence and status prominently on the battlefield.

兜（かぶと、冑）/ Kabuto

兜の形状も時代とともに変化していきました。まずは兜の鉢に注目してごく簡単に違いを述べておきます。

兜の鉢は細長い鉄板を鋲（びょう）で繋ぎ合わせて作られていますが、この鋲をそのまま生かしたものと、鋲の頭をつぶして筋状に成形したものとの二つに分かれます。鋲を生かして鉢にイボ状の突起が数多くみられるものを星兜（ほしかぶと）、鋲の頭をつぶした筋がついているものを筋兜（すじかぶと）といい、星兜が平安時代以来の古い形式で、筋兜は南北朝時代ごろに現れた新しい形式です。
また、首を守るために鉢から下げられる（しころ）も、時代ごとに変化がみられます。平安時代以来の古式のものは、が鉢から下方へ下がる傾向が強く、吹返（ふきかえし）も大きめのものがつきます。これに対して南北朝時代ごろからは、水平方向への広がりが強いが主流になっていきます。これは大鎧や胴丸の変化と同様に、騎馬武者の弓射戦から徒歩武者の打物戦への変化と対応した現象と考えられています。下方へ向いたと大きな吹返は、視界を狭めるという欠点もありますが同時に顔面の防御には有効で、弓射戦が主流の時期には矢から顔面を守るために必要とされたとみられています。これに対して打物戦が中心になると、やはり視界の確保が重要となり、横方向へ広がったが主流となるようになったと考えられているのです。

さらに、戦国時代末期に当世具足が出現すると、兜も大きく変化していきました。それまでの星兜、筋兜に前立（まえたて）をつけるといった程度の装飾から、兜の形自体を個性的な形状に変化させた変わり兜が現れ、とくに上級武者たちは戦場での自己顕示のために競ってその意匠をこらすようになっていきました。

兜の形状としては、烏帽子や冠、頭巾の形を模したものや、栄螺（さざえ）や鯰の尾、茄子や瓜などの動植物、お椀や笠などの器物をモチーフとしたものなど多様なものが残されています。また、立物（たてもの）も前につける前立のみではなく、両脇につける脇立（わきだて）、後ろにつける後立（うしろだて）、頭頂部につける頭立（ずだて）もみられるようになり、ヤクの毛で作った兜蓑（かぶとみの）などの装飾が施されたものも数多く作られました。武士たちの豊かな想像力や遊び心も織り交ぜられながら、多様な形状の変わり兜が制作されていったのです。
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兜的形狀也隨著時代而變化。首先，我們來簡單看看兜的鉢部分有哪些不同。

兜的鉢是由細長的鐵板用鉚釘連接而成的，這些鉚釘可以保留原樣，也可以將鉚釘頭壓扁成筋狀。保留鉚釘原樣的，其鉢上會有許多疣狀的突起，被稱為星兜（ほしかぶと），而將鉚釘頭壓扁的則有筋狀裝飾，稱為筋兜（すじかぶと）。星兜是自平安時代以來的傳統形式，而筋兜則是在南北朝時代左右出現的新形式。

此外，為了保護頸部，從鉢下方延伸的部分（しころ）也隨著時代有所變化。自平安時代以來的傳統形式傾向於向下延伸，並裝有較大的吹返（ふきかえし）。從南北朝時代開始，水平向外擴展的形式成為主流。這一變化與大鎧和胴丸的演變相似，被認為是騎馬弓射戰向徒步打物戰轉變的反應。向下延伸且較大的吹返雖然會限制視野，但對保護面部非常有效，特別是在弓射戰中保護臉部免受箭矢的必要裝備。而當打物戰成為主流時，保持視野清晰變得更為重要，因此橫向擴展的吹返逐漸流行。

進入戰國時代末期，當世具足的出現使得兜也進行了重大變革。從只有簡單前立裝飾的星兜、筋兜，變為具有個性化形狀的變わり兜，特別是上級武者為了在戰場上顯示自己的存在而爭相使用獨特設計的兜。

兜的形狀包括模仿烏帽子、冠、頭巾等形狀，或是動植物如栄螺（海螺）、鯰魚尾巴、茄子、瓜等，以及如碗、傘等日用品的形狀。除了裝飾在前面的前立外，也有裝在兩側的脇立（側立）、後面的後立（後立）、頂部的頭立（頂立）等，甚至有用牦牛毛製成的裝飾兜蓑（防雨披風）等。這些多樣化的變わり兜的製作，融合了武士們的豐富想像力和遊戲精神。
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The shape of helmets, too, has changed over time. First, let's briefly look at the differences in the bowl of the helmet.

The helmet bowl is made by connecting elongated iron plates with rivets, which can either be left as is or flattened into ridges. Helmets with rivet protrusions are called "hoshikabuto,"and those with flattened rivet heads are called "sujikabuto." Hoshikabuto are an ancient style dating back to the Heian period, while sujikabuto appeared around the Nanboku-chō period as a new style.

Additionally, the shikoro, which hangs from the bowl to protect the neck, has also changed over time. The traditional design from the Heian period tends to hang downwards and is equipped with a large fukikaeshi. From the Nanboku-chō period, however, a more horizontal expansion became prevalent. This change, like that of the ō-yoroi and dōmaru, is considered a response to the shift from mounted archery to foot soldier melee combat. While the downward and large fukikaeshi restricts vision, it effectively protects the face, necessary during the era of archery. As melee became the focus, ensuring a clear field of vision became crucial, hence the popularity of horizontally expansive designs.

By the late Sengoku period, with the emergence of tōsei gusoku, helmets underwent significant changes. From the simple adorned hoshikabuto and sujikabuto, evolved the kawari-kabuto with unique shapes, especially among high-ranking warriors who competed to display their presence on the battlefield through these designs.

Helmet shapes include those mimicking headgear such as eboshi, crowns, and hoods, as well as animals and plants like turban shells, catfish tails, eggplants, and melons, and everyday objects like bowls and hats. Not only the front but also side and rear stands and even decorations made of yak hair were included, showing the rich imagination and playful spirit of the samurai as they created various types of kawari-kabuto.

日本史年表 CN

日本國的起源

約西元1世紀，日本各地共有100多個小國（其中有的與東漢建立了外交關係），後來，這些小國逐漸得到了統一。到了西元4世紀，在關西地方建立了比較大的國家，據說最終將它們統一起來的是當今天皇家族的祖先。當時，日本國的範圍包括本州西部、九州北部及四國。於是，經過了漫長的歲月，國家才得以統一。所以很難對日本國誕生的確切年代作出準確的判定。據《古事記》和《日本書紀》記載，第一代天皇——神武天皇于西元前660年建國並即位，即位日相當於現在的西曆2月11日，因此就把這一天定爲“建國紀念日”。

古 代

繩文時代

從洪積世起，日本列島上就有人類的祖先生活，日本人種及日語原型的形成則被認爲是1萬年前至西元前3世紀前後的繩文時代。當時，人們數人或10人一戶居住在豎坑式草屋，以狩獵、捕撈、採集爲生，構成了沒有貧富與階級差別的社會。

彌生時代

西元前3世紀，水稻種植和金屬器具使用技術由朝鮮傳入九州北部。稻作技術給日本社會帶來了劃時代的變化，它擴大了生産，産生了貧富等級之差，使農村共同體趨向政治集團化。農耕帶來的信仰、禮儀、風俗習慣也逐漸傳播開來，形成了日本文化的原型。

古墳時代

西元4世紀中期，大和政權統一了割據的小國。隨著國家的統一，以前方後圓墳爲代表的古墳擴大到各個地方。這個時期是中國許多知識、技術傳入日本的時期。4世紀，大和政權吸收了大陸的高度物質文明；到了5世紀，來自朝鮮半島的外來人（歸化人）帶來了鐵器生産、制陶、紡織、金屬工藝、土木等技術，同時已開始使用中國的漢字。6世紀，正式接受儒教，佛教也傳入日本。7世紀，聖德太子致力於政治革新，並以“大化改新”爲契機，著手建立一個以天皇爲中心的中央集權國家。這個做法仿效了隋、唐，而且此時更加積極地攝取大陸文化，至9世紀末期先後共派出10多次遣隋使和遣唐使。

奈良時代
西元710年，日本定都平城京（現在的奈良市以及近郊），迎來了律令國家的興盛時期。但是，此時農民貧困、遊民增加，由於莊園擴大而導致公地公民制的實質上的崩潰等，矛盾開始暴露出來。
這個時期由於國家極力保護佛教，因此，佛教文化，特別是佛教美術開始繁榮起來。如7世紀初期開創日本佛教文化的飛鳥文化；7世紀後期獨具一格的白鳳文化；8世紀中葉在唐代鼎盛期文化的影響下以寫實手法體現人類豐富情感的天平文化等等。
與佛教美術相媲美，這個時期的文化方面的金字塔是《萬葉集》。《萬葉集》收集了8世紀中葉前約400年間，下至庶民上至天皇所作的大約4500首和歌，如實反映了古代日本人的樸素的生活情感。此外，現在還保存著的日本最古老的歷史書籍《古事記》（712年）、最古老的敕撰歷史書《日本書紀》（720年）、最古的漢詩集《懷風藻》（751年）等等都是這個時期的文化遺産。

平安時代
8世紀末，日本將都城移至平安京（現在的京都市），試圖重建律令體制。但由於公地公民制的崩潰，國家陷入了財政困難。894年派出最後一批遣唐使後便告終止，就此不在大量攝取大陸文化。
10——11世紀，藤原氏壟斷政權，以莊園爲經濟基礎，勢力最爲強盛。但是，由於地方政治的混亂，導致治安混亂，武士集團強大起來。到11世紀末，爲對抗藤原開始實行“院政”（指日本平安時代後期上皇、法皇代理天皇執政），於是，武士進入了中央政界。
平安時代以本國文化爲特色。9世紀時受唐朝影響，密教和漢學方面的弘仁、貞觀文化還十分繁榮。但是10世紀後與大陸的直接交流斷絕後，便産生了日本獨特的貴族文化。其代表有第一部敕撰和歌集《古今和歌集》（10世紀初）、世界上最古老的長篇小說《源氏物語》（11世紀初）、隨筆《枕草子》（西元1000年前後）等等一批文藝作品。

中世紀（12-16世紀

鐮倉時代
12世紀末，源賴朝受封征夷大將軍，並在鐮倉建立日本歷史上第一個幕府政權。從此誕生了武士政權，由此産生了武家政治和公家（指朝廷公卿，貴族）政治的對立。13世紀後期，幕府的武士統治開始面臨困難，鐮倉幕府逐漸走上滅亡的道路。
　　在文化方面，以過去的貴族文化爲基礎，攝取宋朝時傳入日本的禪宗文化，培育了生動、寫實、樸素、獨特的武家文化。在宗教方面，由法然、親鸞、日蓮等著名僧人創建了鐮倉佛教，獲得了各階層的信仰。12世紀傳入日本的禪宗受到了關東武士的重視，藝術領域也出現了新的傾向。文學方面出現了以源平合戰爲背景的小說《平家物語》（原作誕生于13世紀初），是日本古代軍記物語的傑出代表。

室町時代
　　14世紀的前半期，征夷大將軍足利義滿穩定了京都的室町幕府以後，2個多世紀內在政治、文化方面，武家都壓倒公家，處於優勢。由於室町幕府是聚集了各有力大名而建立的，因此幕府本身的統治能力薄弱。應仁元年（1467年）一月，應仁之亂爆發，全國各地的大名紛紛而起，室町幕府搖搖欲墜，日本進入戰國時代。戰國大名成了統治當地土地、人民的強有力的獨立政權。
　　在文化方面，無論是貴族還是武家的文化，都受到禪宗的影響。14世紀末期以金閣寺爲代表的北山文化，15世紀末期以銀閣寺爲代表的東山文化都十分發達。16世紀中葉，葡萄牙人、西班牙人來到日本，傳入了槍炮和基督教。那是文化方面充滿生氣的時代。

（16-19世紀中葉）

戰國時代
（室町末期及安土·桃山時代）
　　應仁之亂後，日本各地大名紛紛崛起，戰火紛飛，民不聊生。16世紀中葉，一位決心以武力統一日本、結束亂世的梟雄出現，他就是織田信長。永祿三年（1560年），織田信長在桶狹間以兩千人馬擊敗今川義元四萬大軍，名聲大振。爾後逐步統一尾張、近畿，並準備進攻山陰、山陽。在此期間，信長修築了氣勢宏大的安土城。因此，信長的時代被稱爲“安土時代”。
　　天正十年（1582年），本能寺之變爆發，信長身亡。織田家重臣羽柴秀吉先後擊敗明智光秀、柴田勝家，確立了自己的繼承人地位。此後經過四國征伐、九州征伐、小田原之戰，逐步統一日本。後被天皇賜姓“豐臣”，並受封“關白”一職。豐臣秀吉的時代被稱爲“桃山時代”。
　　慶長三年（1598年），豐臣秀吉在伏見城病逝。豐臣家裂分爲近江（西軍）和尾張（東軍）兩派。身爲豐臣政權五大老之一的德川家康于慶長五年（1600年）發動關原合戰，大敗西軍，建立德川政權。慶長八年（1603年），德川幕府建立，戰國時代結束。
江戶時代

　　慶長八年（1603年），德川家康受封征夷大將軍，在江戶（現東京）建立幕府政權，此後260多年，德川家統治全國。這段時期被稱作江戶時代。德川幕府嚴格控制天皇、貴族、寺院神社，並費盡心計統治著支撐幕藩體制的農民。元和九年（1623年），德川家第三代將軍德川家光就職，下令鎖國。除開放長崎、界作爲對外港口外，一律禁止外國人來日本，也禁止日本人遠渡海外。由於閉關自守，幕藩體制迎來了安定時期。但是，隨著産業的發達、商品經濟的發展，農民自給自足的經營體系崩潰，18世紀起幕藩體制開始動搖。
　　庶民文化是這個時期的特色。17世紀後期至18世紀初期的元祿文化是以京都、大阪等上方（日本關東地方人稱京都、大阪爲上方）地區爲中心的武士和商人的文化。人偶淨琉璃、歌舞伎、浮世繪、工藝等一片繁榮。19世紀初期的化正文化移至江戶，小說、歌舞伎、浮世繪、文人畫等呈現出絢麗多彩的商人文化。

近現代（19世紀後期至今）

幕末·明治時代

　　江戶幕府末期，天災不斷，幕府統治腐敗，民不聊生。且幕府財政困難，使大部分中下級武士對幕府日益不滿。同時，西方資本主義列強以堅船利炮叩開鎖國達200餘年的日本國門。
　　在內憂外患的雙重壓力下，日本人逐漸認識到，只有推翻幕府統治，向資本主義國家學習，才是日本富強之路。於是一場轟轟烈烈的倒幕運動展開了。在這場推翻幕府統治的運動中，薩摩、長州兩藩武士起著重大的作用。1868年1月3日，代表資產階級和新興地主階級利益的倒幕派，在有“維新三傑”之稱的大久保利通、西鄉隆盛、木戶孝允的領導下，成功發動政變，迫使德川幕府第15代將軍德川慶喜交出政權，並由新即位的明治天皇頒佈“王政復古”詔書。這就日本歷史上的“明治維新”。日本從此走上資本主義道路。
　　1868年（明治二年），明治天皇遷都江戶，並改名爲東京。之後從政治、經濟、文教、外交等各方面進行了一系列重大的改革。日本國力逐漸強大，後來在甲午中日戰爭（即所謂“日清戰爭”）中擊敗大清北洋艦隊，在日俄戰爭（即所謂“日露戰爭”）中全殲俄國太平洋艦隊和波羅的海艦隊。日本成爲帝國主義列強之一。

大正、昭和時代

　　與明治時代的取得的歷史性進步相比，大正天皇時代被稱爲“不幸的大正”。大正天皇在位15年，政績遠不如明治，而且他一生爲腦病所困，最後被迫讓權療養，由裕仁親王攝政。
　　1926年，裕仁登基，年號“昭和”，即昭和天皇。昭和時代前20年，對於中國、朝鮮、東南亞及太平洋地區的人民來說，是黑暗的20年。這時的日本政府致力於侵略擴張。1931年（昭和6年），“九一八”事變爆發，日軍侵佔我國東北。1937年（昭和12年）7月7日，日軍挑起“蘆溝橋事變”，發動全面侵華戰爭。同年12月13日，侵華日軍佔領南京，發動了長達6周，慘絕人寰的“南京大屠殺”，約30多萬中國軍民慘死在侵略者的屠刀之下。1941年（昭和16年），日軍偷襲珍珠港，太平洋戰爭爆發。這一時期，不僅給中國、朝鮮、東南亞及太平洋地區的人民帶來深重的災難，也給日本人民帶來痛苦和困難。這是日本歷史以及中日關係史上最黑暗的時期。
　　1945年（昭和20年）8月15日，日軍投降。美軍佔領日本，改日本專制天皇制爲君主立憲制，天皇作爲日本的象徵被保留下來。

　　1972年（昭和47年）7月，田中角榮出任日本首相，開始執行“多邊自主”外交。同年9月田中訪華，於9月29日同周恩來總理簽署《中日聯合聲明》，宣佈中日正式建交。1978年8月中日兩國締結中日和平友好條約。1978年10月鄧小平副總理應邀訪問日本，宣佈和平友好條約正式生效。中日兩國關係從此趨於正常化。

　　1989年（昭和64年，平成元年），昭和天皇病歿。皇太子明仁即位，改年號爲“平成”。

History of Japan part1

The Origins of Japan

Around the 1st century AD, there were over 100 small states throughout Japan, some of which had established diplomatic relations with the Eastern Han Dynasty. Over time, these states gradually unified. By the 4th century, a larger state was established in the Kansai region, which is said to have ultimately been unified by the ancestors of the current Imperial Family. At that time, the territory of Japan included western Honshu, northern Kyushu, and Shikoku. Thus, after many years, the nation was unified, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact year of Japan's foundation. According to the "Kojiki" and "Nihon Shoki," the first emperor, Emperor Jimmu, ascended the throne in 660 BC, and his coronation date corresponds to February 11th in the modern Gregorian calendar. Therefore, this day is celebrated as "National Foundation Day."

Ancient Period

Jomon Period

Since the Pleistocene, ancestors of humans have lived on the Japanese archipelago. The formation of the Japanese race and the Japanese language is thought to have occurred during the Jomon period, from 10,000 years ago to around the 3rd century BC. During this time, people lived in pit dwellings, made of vertical pits covered with thatched roofs, in small groups or families of about ten. They survived by hunting, fishing, and gathering, forming a society without significant disparities in wealth or class distinctions.

Yayoi Period

In the 3rd century BC, the technology for rice cultivation and the use of metal tools were introduced from Korea to northern Kyushu. The introduction of rice agriculture brought revolutionary changes to Japanese society, increasing production and leading to disparities in wealth, causing rural communities to evolve towards political organization. The beliefs, rituals, and customs associated with agriculture gradually spread, forming the prototype of Japanese culture.

Kofun Period

In the mid-4th century, the Yamato regime unified the fragmented small states. With the unification of the country, the keyhole-shaped kofun (tumuli) spread throughout various regions. This period saw the introduction of many forms of knowledge and technology from China. In the 4th century, the Yamato regime adopted advanced material civilization from the continent; by the 5th century, immigrants from the Korean Peninsula (known as "kika") brought technologies such as iron production, pottery, textile, metalworking, and civil engineering, and began using Chinese characters. In the 6th century, Confucianism was formally adopted, and Buddhism was introduced to Japan. In the 7th century, Prince Shotoku aimed for political reform and initiated the establishment of a centralized state centered around the Emperor with the "Taika Reform." This was modeled after the Sui and Tang dynasties, and Japan actively adopted continental culture, sending numerous envoys to Sui and Tang until the end of the 9th century.

Nara Period

In 710 AD, Japan established its capital in Heijo-kyo (present-day Nara and its vicinity), ushering in the flourishing era of the ritsuryo state. However, during this period, the impoverishment of farmers and the increase in vagrants, along with the expansion of private estates, led to the practical collapse of the public land and citizen system, exposing underlying contradictions. The state vigorously protected Buddhism, hence Buddhist culture, especially Buddhist art, began to thrive. For example, the Asuka culture, which founded Japanese Buddhist culture in the early 7th century; the unique Hakuho culture of the late 7th century; and the Tempyo culture of the mid-8th century, influenced by the zenith of Tang culture, which realistically depicted rich human emotions. Comparable to Buddhist art in this period was the cultural pinnacle of the "Man'yoshu." The "Man'yoshu" collected about 4500 waka poems written over approximately 400 years up to the mid-8th century, from commoners to the Emperor, accurately reflecting the simple emotional life of ancient Japanese. In addition, Japan's oldest history book "Kojiki" (712 AD), the oldest official history book "Nihon Shoki" (720 AD), and the oldest collection of Chinese poems "Kaifuso" (751 AD) are cultural heritages from this period.

Heian Period

At the end of the 8th century, Japan moved its capital to Heian-kyo (present-day Kyoto), attempting to rebuild the ritsuryo system. However, due to the collapse of the public land and citizen system, the state faced financial difficulties. After sending the last mission to Tang China in 894 AD, Japan ceased to adopt culture massively from the continent. During the 10th and 11th centuries, the Fujiwara clan monopolized the regime, based economically on private estates and becoming the most powerful. However, due

to political turmoil in the regions, security became chaotic, and the samurai groups strengthened. By the end of the 11th century, to counter the Fujiwara, "insei" (government by retired Emperor) began, and samurai entered central politics. The Heian period was characterized by domestic culture. In the 9th century, under the influence of the Tang dynasty, the Kukai and Saicho cultures, focusing on Esoteric Buddhism and Chinese studies, flourished. However, after the 10th century, when direct interactions with the continent ceased, a unique aristocratic culture developed in Japan. Its representatives include the first imperial anthology of waka "Kokin Wakashu" (early 10th century), the world's oldest long novel "The Tale of Genji" (early 11th century), and the essay "The Pillow Book" (around 1000 AD), among other literary works.

History of Japan part2

Middle Ages (12th-16th Century)

Kamakura Period

At the end of the 12th century, Minamoto no Yoritomo was appointed Seii Taishogun and established Japan's first shogunate in Kamakura. From then on, the samurai regime emerged, leading to a conflict between the warrior (samurai) politics and the court (noble) politics. In the late 13th century, the samurai rule of the Kamakura shogunate began to face difficulties, and the Kamakura shogunate gradually headed towards destruction. In terms of culture, based on the past aristocratic culture, the Zen culture introduced from the Song dynasty to Japan during this period cultivated a vivid, realistic, simple, and unique warrior culture. In religion, famous monks such as Honen, Shinran, and Nichiren founded Kamakura Buddhism, gaining faith across various social strata. Zen Buddhism, introduced to Japan in the 12th century, was valued by the Kanto samurai, and new tendencies appeared in the art field. In literature, novels set against the backdrop of the Genpei War, such as "The Tale of the Heike" (originating in the early 13th century), emerged as outstanding representatives of Japan's ancient military tales.

Muromachi Period

In the first half of the 14th century, after the Seii Taishogun Ashikaga Takauji stabilized the Muromachi shogunate in Kyoto, the warrior class dominated over the court in politics and culture for over two centuries. As the Muromachi shogunate was established by gathering powerful daimyo, the shogunate itself had weak governance. In January of the first year of Onin (1467), the Onin War broke out, and daimyo from all over the country rose up, leading the Muromachi shogunate to the brink of collapse, and Japan entered the Sengoku period. The Sengoku daimyo became powerful independent rulers of local lands and people.
In terms of culture, both the aristocratic and warrior cultures were influenced by Zen. The Kitayama culture, represented by Kinkaku-ji in the late 14th century, and the Higashiyama culture, represented by Ginkaku-ji in the late 15th century, were highly developed. In the mid-16th century, Portuguese and Spanish arrived in Japan, introducing firearms and Christianity. It was a culturally vibrant era.

Early Modern Period (Mid-16th to Mid-19th Century)

Sengoku Period (Late Muromachi and Azuchi-Momoyama Periods)

After the Onin War, daimyo rose up all over Japan, leading to widespread warfare and suffering among the people. In the mid-16th century, a hero determined to unify Japan by force and end the chaos appeared; he was Oda Nobunaga. In the third year of Eiroku (1560), Oda Nobunaga defeated the 40,000-strong army of Imagawa Yoshimoto at Okehazama with just 2,000 troops, gaining great fame. Subsequently, he gradually unified Owari and Kinki and prepared to advance into Sanyo and Sanin. During this period, Nobunaga constructed the magnificent Azuchi Castle. Therefore, Nobunaga's era is called the "Azuchi Period."
In the tenth year of Tensho (1582), the Incident at Honno-ji occurred, and Nobunaga died. Oda's senior retainer, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, successively defeated Mitsuhide Akechi and Katsuie Shibata, establishing his position as successor. Afterward, through campaigns in Shikoku, Kyushu, and the Siege of Odawara, he gradually unified Japan. He was later granted the surname "Toyotomi" by the Emperor and appointed to the position of "Kampaku." Toyotomi Hideyoshi's era is called the "Momoyama Period."
In the third year of Keicho (1598), Toyotomi Hideyoshi died in Fushimi Castle. The Toyotomi family split into the Omi (Western Army) and Owari (Eastern Army) factions. As one of the five elders of the Toyotomi regime, Tokugawa Ieyasu launched the Battle of Sekigahara in the fifth year of Keicho (1600), defeating the Western Army and establishing the Tokugawa regime. In the eighth year of Keicho (1603), the Tokugawa shogunate was established, ending the Sengoku period.

Edo Period

In the eighth year of Keicho (1603), Tokugawa Ieyasu was appointed Seii Taishogun and established the shogunate in Edo (now Tokyo), ruling the country for over 260 years. This period is called the Edo period. The Tokugawa shogunate strictly controlled the Emperor, nobility, temples, and shrines, and painstakingly governed the peasants who supported the bakuhan system. In the ninth year of Genna (1623), the third shogun, Tokugawa Iemitsu, took office and ordered the country's seclusion. Except for opening Nagasaki and Tsushima as ports for foreign trade, all foreigners were banned from coming to Japan, and Japanese were prohibited from traveling overseas. Due to the policy of seclusion, the bakuhan system entered a stable period. However, with the development of industry and the commodity economy, the self-sufficient management system of the peasants collapsed, and the bakuhan system began to shake from the 18th century.
Commoner culture was a characteristic of this period. The Genroku culture of the late 17th to early 18th centuries centered around Kyoto and Osaka (referred to as "Kamigata" by people in the Kanto region of Japan), which was the culture of samurai and merchants. Puppet joruri, kabuki, ukiyo-e, and crafts flourished. In the early 19th century, the Kansei culture moved to Edo, and novels, kabuki, ukiyo-e, and literati painting displayed a brilliant merchant culture.

History of Japan part3

Modern and Contemporary Period (Late 19th Century to Present)

Bakumatsu and Meiji Period

During the late Edo shogunate, natural disasters continued, the shogunate's rule was corrupt, and the people suffered. Moreover, the shogunate's financial difficulties caused dissatisfaction among most lower-ranking samurai. At the same time, Western capitalist powers, with their strong ships and guns, knocked on the door of Japan, which had been closed for over 200 years.
Under the dual pressures of internal troubles and external threats, the Japanese gradually realized that overthrowing the shogunate and learning from capitalist countries was the path to Japan's prosperity and strength. Thus, a vigorous movement to overthrow the shogunate began. In this movement to overthrow the shogunate, the samurai of Satsuma and Choshu played significant roles. On January 3, 1868, the anti-shogunate faction representing the interests of the bourgeoisie and the emerging landlord class, led by the "Three Great Nobles of the Restoration" (Okubo Toshimichi, Saigo Takamori, and Kido Takayoshi), successfully staged a coup, forcing Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the 15th shogun, to relinquish power, and the newly enthroned Meiji Emperor issued the "Charter Oath of the Restoration." This marked the "Meiji Restoration" in Japanese history, and Japan embarked on the path of capitalism.
In 1868 (the second year of Meiji), the Meiji Emperor moved the capital to Edo and renamed it Tokyo. Subsequently, a series of major reforms were carried out in politics, economy, education, and foreign relations. Japan's national strength gradually strengthened, and later, in the First Sino-Japanese War (the so-called "Sino-Japanese War"), it defeated the Beiyang Fleet of the Qing dynasty, and in the Russo-Japanese War (the so-called "Russo-Japanese War"), it annihilated the Russian Pacific Fleet and Baltic Fleet. Japan became one of the imperialist powers.

Taisho and Showa Periods

Compared to the historic progress achieved during the Meiji period, the Taisho Emperor's era is called the "unfortunate Taisho." The Taisho Emperor reigned for 15 years, his achievements far less than those of the Meiji, and he was plagued by brain disease throughout his life, eventually forced to abdicate for treatment, with Prince Hirohito acting as regent.
In 1926, Hirohito ascended the throne, with the era name "Showa," i.e., Emperor Showa. The first 20 years of the Showa era were dark years for the people of China, Korea, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific region. During this time, the Japanese government was committed to aggressive expansion. In 1931 (the sixth year of Showa), the "September 18 Incident" broke out, and the Japanese army occupied Northeast China. On July 7, 1937 (the 12th year of Showa), the Japanese army provoked the "Marco Polo Bridge Incident," launching a full-scale war of aggression against China. On December 13 of the same year, the invading Japanese army occupied Nanjing and initiated the horrific "Nanjing Massacre" lasting six weeks, with about 300,000 Chinese soldiers and civilians brutally killed by the invaders. In 1941 (the 16th year of Showa), the Japanese army launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, sparking the Pacific War. This period not only brought profound disasters to the people of China, Korea, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific region but also brought pain and difficulty to the Japanese people. It was the darkest period in Japanese history and Sino-Japanese relations.
On August 15, 1945 (the 20th year of Showa), the Japanese army surrendered. The U.S. military occupied Japan, changing Japan's autocratic imperial system to a constitutional monarchy, with the Emperor retained as a symbol of Japan.

In July 1972 (the 47th year of Showa), Tanaka Kakuei became Prime Minister of Japan, starting to implement a "multi-sided autonomy" foreign policy. In September of the same year, Tanaka visited China, and on September 29, he signed the "Sino-Japanese Joint Communique" with Premier Zhou Enlai, announcing the official establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Japan. In August 1978, China and Japan signed the Sino-Japanese Peace and Friendship Treaty. In October 1978, Chinese Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping visited Japan, announcing the formal effectiveness of the Peace and Friendship Treaty. Sino-Japanese relations have since normalized.

In 1989 (the 64th year of Showa, the first year of Heisei), Emperor Showa passed away. Crown Prince Akihito ascended the throne, changing the era name to "Heisei."

[CharryLee]

So good history information you provided. Although there are a lot of armors shouldn't show in Ghost of Tsushima based on real history, their design are so good.

[Ad-m1]