Japanese and Shields

One thing ive been thinking about for a while is about various nationalities around the World and the way practically everyone has developed a shield of some sort whereas from the vast amount of research ive done (Ahem >__>) I dont think that the Japanese have ever developed one.

If you think about it all Europeans (Celts, Greeks, Romans, Slavs Etc) have basically had them, 'Native Americans', Aztecs, Zulus, Chinese, Mongols, Arabs, Etc Etc have all used them but not the Japanese.

Am I wrong about this because ive tried to basically look it up but I came up with absolutely nothing on the subject. I find it strange that such a combative people wouldnt have one!

Is it because of the two handed swords the Japanese love so much? Was their armour supposedly sufficient for the task? Was it considered 'dishonourable' to have something defensive like a shield? You look at a Greek Hoplite for example he still had a shield but Japanese spearmen didnt. Maybe its got something to do with being purely offensively minded? Warrior code and all that bollocks! (The only other people that I can think of that might not have a shield are the Maoris of New Zealand)

Bit of a weird topic but it annoys me when I think about it. :S

The Samurai generally disdained of protecting oneself in battle. That should explain it.

I thought that might be partially the case but then whats the point in having Armour at all? May as well do what the Picts did and go into battle naked or atleast in loin-cloths!!

Armors has been able to protect them from arrows to a point. (read Yoshtisune the manga or Sanzoku Ou)

And most of the armors are a Symbol of nobles and royalty.

Basically this. Western cultures used shields as a form of protection, yeah. But it's used more to show off their crest or coat-of-arms.

The Japanese do this by way of their armor, rendering shields useless to them.

Armor is for little bitches. The samurai were little bitches. My ancestors fought the AWESOME way.

VIKINGS ARE THE REAL MEN!!!

Yeah, they pillage yer house and raep yer waifus, then rip out yer lungs and make you run around. 8D

Dont forgot that the knights in europe usually have their family crest on their Shield, so it's some kind of show-off...

For Japanese, they brought flags with their crest when go to war, and usually you can see who the leader is from the armor and helmet...

Shields weren't meant to be "shown-off". When knights were in battle, they had a hard time knowing who was an ally, and who wasn't. The coat of arms on their shield was used to help distinguish which side they were on, so they wouldn't attack an ally on accident.

If I recall correctly, Japanese swords (at least, those made during war-time) where not just very sharp - they were also sturdy enough that the wide side of the blade could be easily used to parry attacks, so they didn't need shields that much to begin with.

Of course, most early katanas where actually double-handed weapons, which meant they wouldn't be able to carry shields to begin with. Later on, some samurai would carry more weapons then their katana, like naginata or bow, so they needed the free hand to freely pull out that weapon when necessary, while sheathing their sword.I'm guessing shields would make that somewhat awkward to do fluidly. Or they just gotten used to not having shields, period.

Peasants where expandable, so they wouldn't need armor to begin with.

European shields however were useful (among other, numerous things like armored bitch-slap or identification) in deflecting blows with large, armor-piercing weapons, like maces, axes...all those big-ass weapons knights or vikings liked to swing around, and weren't exactly popular in Japan. A solid smash to the head from mace could still dent the armor and crack your skull. Shields gave you an increased chance of survival if you didn't dodged the blow. Broken arm can heal, skull, not so much. Same with arrows.

The Japanese didn't need shields. Well made arm guards were enough to deflect swords.

Samurai didn't use shiels because they were real men not pussies.

So everyone in the World are pussies except for the Japanese!? (OK then) >__>

Even Ashigarus (Footmen) have armor to. But offers a basic level of protection.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashigaru

a samurai's armor was one of the strongest if my mind serves me correct. Like wearing a shiels ive seen weapons tests on the armoe its pretty fucking strong. check out the deadliest warrior for some more info.

there werent too many samurai that chose single-arm swordplay so in all actuallity a shield would just get in the way of dual-armed swordplay

Surprised no one has mentioned SPARTANS yet.

Deadliest warrior showdown.

I believe that the samurai saw a shield as a sign of weakness. if you went into battle expecting to die then you would have no fear, but if you went into battle expecting to live then you would surely die.