The Abandonment of the Gladius for the Spatha - Why?

[petrinus]

the samurais armor was not so much defensive as it was a symbol of status and crafted to inpart that status and identify the samurai on the battlefield, also it was intended to strike fear into the enemy much of the armor designed to resemble devils and demons, i know very little about the armor id be interested in learning more, i didnt think too many advances were made in the samurai's armor after the europeans arrived, i wouldnt think that any improvemnets would even the odds once blackpowder brought its evil to bare on warfare