The breastplates include a back banner that is a copy of the banner from the movie "The Seven Samurai" aka "The Magnificent Seven".
The armor very closely resembles the armor worn by Captain Ahlgren (Tom Cruise) in the movie The Last Samurai. Kozane armor in particular is colored like the "red samurai" armor from the movie.
Rokogu armor might be a homage to the CCG Legend of the Five Rings, which is set in a land called Rokugon.
Anyone noticed any other interesting things about the Kirin's Hoard?
From what mythology/story does Kirin come from? _____________________________________
If you want mythology, the Kirin resembles the Unicorn.
Also there is a series of stories, which an anime is based on, called The Twelve Kingdoms. There are characters in there that take human form. But their true form is that of a Kirin.
Now I realize that the Kirin doesn't look exactly like a Unicorn. But that, I would base on cultural differences.
Take for example the Dragon. In western culture it is a sign of power and destruction. It carries a huge body with a long tail and enormous wings.
In eastern culture, the Dragon is a sign of great power, but not of destruction, but of prosperity and good fortune. Their body is long, more in a shape of a snake or serpent.
If anybody could add to this, it would be appreciated.
