Mori clan armour.

Title: Mori clan armour.
Description: This suit of armour brands the crest of the Mori clan, a Japanese samurai clan descended from Ōe no Hiromoto. Ōe no Hiromoto was descended from the Fujiwara clan. The Fujiwara was one of the four greatest and largest families in Japan, hugely involved in politics during the Heian Period (794–1185).

This armour is described to be of exceptionally high quality, belonging to the class of 'warriors'. The warrior armour and other items were displayed to visualise their power and prestige over other clans, a form of intimidation.

Japanese armour shows technical changes over time. The skirt was added as mounted combat fell out of favour at the end of the 14th century. At this point, many examples of Japanese armour become so artistic as to be rendered entirely non-functional.