Back in the day, these warriors needed not only to protect themselves from arrows and swords, but also to be able to manouver in the middle of the battlefield. Thus, the first samurai armor was created to provide adequate defense while still allowing for mobility. The armor, known as yoroi, was made up of several pieces of iron or leather plates held together with leather or silk cords. The resulting armor was a true masterpiece of both craftsmanship and functionality.