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An excellent video on sword technique, which also shows a few techniques against a swordsman in a full suit of armour, is “Ken Tachi Katana” by Massaki Hatsumi see the reference section at the back
Japanese armour compared to European armour
Japanese armour is lighter then European armour because the metal (if used) is thinner and the articulations give the wearer more movement. The Japanese samurai wore more layers of clothing under the armour then the European knights. The styles of fighting sometimes dictated the lightness needed. The samurai would travel to the battle on foot; consequently, heavy armour would not help his mobility. Chain mail was not as extensively used with the Japanese, possibly as much as two thirds less then the Europeans. The lightweight suit of the Japanese was adapted to lighting quick movements required in their head on, hand to hand fencing.
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