Japanese armor, 17th century Front view

Uchidashi do tosei gusoku—composite armor with a wrought iron breastplate decorated with a figure of a mythical beast: a shi shi or Chinese guardian lion was created in 1662 by Kunimichi, 21st leader of the famed Myôchin armorer dynasty. All the non-lacquered platelets are decorated with fine silver Damascene.
Displaying the weapons of the Aki clan, the helmet from which the Wheel of the Law emerges in silver Damascene and which completes a half-mask which protects the lower half of the face and bears the signature of Imetada, who was active around 1600 and who was emblematic of the Saotome school. The helmet's neck cover, along with the tassets and the various pieces of armor are connected using a system of blue silk braids. A baton of command and a standard originally accompanied the armor.