Section 3: European Influence
Kano School, Nanban byōbu (Southern Barbarian Screens), 1630/1650, pair of six-panel screens; ink, color, and gold on paper, Gift of Margery Hoffman Smith, public domain, 64.13A,B; Screen 5 of 6
European Influence on Japanese Armor and New Trade Agreements
In 1543, a shipwreck on the island of Tanega just off southern Kyushu left Portuguese traders stranded, making them the first Europeans to arrive in Japan and to begin conversations of trade. The traders began to teach and distribute the knowledge surrounding matchlock musket construction, a knowledge that was eagerly sought out by the warring daimyo. The knowledge was spread far and wide, and the construction of the new technology was produced in significant quantities, revolutionizing warfare in Japan.
Along with new technology, missionaries came as well, bringing Christianity with them in 1549. The first Jesuit missionary to arrive was a man by the name of Francis Xavier, arriving in Kagoshima and doing missionary work for the next two years before leaving. After he left, missionaries came continuously and utilized the careful trade agreements to spread the word of Christianity, some even would convince merchant ships to not enter the ports of daimyo that would not show goodwill towards the missionaries on the ship. In the effort to benefit from the profits of trade and to acquire military equipment or supplies, the daimyo began to protect Christianity. Some even converted to it, such as three Kyushu lords- Ōtomo Sōrin, Arima Harunobu, and Ōmura Sumitada -who then later sent an embassy to Rome. Farmers also largely became converts, mostly due to the social relief work and medical aid that missionaries supplied in their work.
Citation:
Watanabe, A., Toyoda, T., Notehelfer, F.G., Latz, G., Hijino, S., Jansen, M.B., Hurst, G.C., Masamoto, K., Masai, Y., Sakamoto, T. "Japan." Encyclopedia Britannica, July 2, 2026. https://www.britannica.com/place/Japan.
Kano School, Nanban byōbu (Southern Barbarian Screens), 1630/1650, pair of six-panel screens; ink, color, and gold on paper, Gift of Margery Hoffman Smith, public domain, 64.13A,B; Screen 2 of 6
Section 3, Sidebar 1: Minor overview
Minor overview of the way later Japanese armor began to take on similar qualities to the aesthetics of European armor, after the fighting had calmed down. This was now more of an art form than for practical use.
In the late 16th century, the biggest influence of the time on Japanese armor was the matchlock arquebus, the 15th century firearm that was the first portable long gun equipped with a mechanical trigger. Japanese armor had to become sturdier and more durable in order to combat against the newer technology, resulting in a heavy cuirass made of thick plates. This style is suggested to be inspired by European armors, while also being the necessary next step in the evolution of Japanese armor.
While these armor pieces were heavily inspired by European’s, the Japanese artisans made these pieces their own in order to suit their own tastes, and this style of armor became more of a status symbol along with its more durable nature. After the 1600’s, many armors became totally unsuited for the battlefield, made during a time when war was no longer a part of daily life. Most of the armor that survives to this day in museums are from this era.
Citation:
“1. History of Armor — Sengoku Daimyo.” Sengoku Daimyo. Last modified 2026. Accessed July 5, 2026. https://sengokudaimyo.com/katchu-katchuch01.