Samurai were Japan's warriors, and fought in war using a variety of weaponry. Their weapons consisted primarily of swords and knives, most iconically the katana. They also used other weapons, usually projectiles. Shurikens were small, star-shaped blades that samurai would throw at their opponents. They also used bow and arrows. Their armor was light and made of iron plates, and allowed for good mobility. However, some of the plates did not cover minor areas, providing potential weakness. Samurai did not often fight foreign enemies due to Japan's location. However, there were still tensions within Japan's land itself, so the samurai were still a vital part of warfare.