Armor of the nimaitachidō type (nimaitachidō tōsei gusoku)
Attributed to Myōchin Yoshimichi (helmet bowl); Myōchin Munenori (armor)
Muromachi period, c. 1400 (helmet bowl); mid-Edo period, 18th century (armor)
Iron, shakudō, silver, bronze, wood, gold, brocade, lacing, fur, leather
65 x 23 x 35 in. (177.8 x 58.42 x 88.9 cm)

This magnificent armor belonged to the Matsudaira family and is decorated with the hollyhock crest (aoi mon), which was also used by the Tokugawa clan. The Matsudaira were allowed to use the crest with special authorization from the shogunate because of their ties to the shogun’s family.

Nimaitachidō armor features a dō, or chest armor, that is made in two parts and curves slightly at the waist. A lacquered wood lion (shishi) extends out from the front of the helmet. Each sleeve is adorned with a dragon coiled around a double-edged sword (ken)—an attribute of the deity Fudō Myōō, the Immovable One. Lions and peonies, symbols of imperial authority, embellish the thigh protection and shin guards.

http://samurai.kimbellart.org/exhibit/samurai-armor/armor-nimaitachid%C5%8D-type-nimaitachid%C5%8D-t%C5%8Dsei-gusoku