The ō-yoroi armor set under examination, originating from the late Edo period (19th century), represents a significant artifact associated with the Honjo Matsudaira family, the Miyazu clan Daimyo from the Tango area. The armor’s construction and embellishments reflect the enduring symbolic value of traditional armor styles for signifying status within the samurai hierarchy.

The kabuto (helmet) is an iron, black-lacquered 8 hōjirō daienzan hoshi kabuto. Its shikoro (neck guard) features black-lacquered leather honkozane (true small scales) with blue lacing, while the fukigaeshi (turnbacks) are adorned with metal fittings exhibiting the kokonotsumeyui kamon (crest). This crest is consistently applied to the sendanita (right chest), kyūbiita (left chest), and kote (armored sleeves), indicating a unified design scheme.

The maedate (frontal ornament) presents a shakudō carving of a shikami (Japanese ogre) with glass eyes. The maedate bears the signature of Nobuyoshi, a craftsman born in 1803 in Hamamatsu, Tōtomi Province, who studied under Iwama Masayoshi and Iwama Nobuyori, and was later elevated to the ranks of Hōkyō and Hōgan.

The ressei menpo (face mask) is crafted from russet iron and signed by Myōchin ki Munetane. The tare (throat guard) is constructed of black-lacquered leather honkozane with blue lacing, mirroring the design of the shikoro.

The dō (cuirass) is a black-lacquered leather honkozane ō-yoroi incorporating tsurubashiri gawa leather. This feature, originally functional for bow use, served in the Edo period as a symbolic marker of daimyo status. The dō’s embellishments include a depiction of the Fudō Triad—Seitaka Dōji, Fudō Myō-ō, and Kongara Dōji—rendered on the leather surface. Furthermore, the presence of both waidate (side protectors) and the signatures of Iwai Jūbee contribute to the armor’s significance.

The sode (shoulder guards) are black-lacquered honkozane ōsode, functioning as both protective elements and visual indicators of the wearer’s standing.

The sangu (three-piece armor set) comprises:

1. Iron black lacquered namazu kote (armored sleeves) exhibiting fujitomoe mon patterned cloth, reminiscent of designs found on Yoshitsune kote from the Kamakura period.
2. Leather black lacquered iyo haidate (thigh guards)
3. Iron black lacquered ōtateage tsutsu suneate (shin guards), signed by both Myōchin ki Munekane and Iwai Shigesaburō, suggesting a collaborative effort in the creation of the iron components and the application of lacquer and leather.

The assemblage includes an iron gunsen (war fan), an ichimonji jingasa (war hat) adorned with three kamon crests, and a jinbaori (surcoat) crafted from Tango crepe fabric, featuring twenty swallows on the front. The jinbaori indicates the armor’s association with the Miyazu clan, as Tango crepe was a regional specialty.

This armor is likely attributable to the 9th lord, Honjo Munehide.