前まえ立だて

noun

helmet crest; plume; pompom

Refers to the decorative ornament attached to the front of a traditional Japanese helmet (兜).

• 戦せん国ごく武ぶ将しょうの兜かぶとには、立りっ派ぱな前まえ立だてが付ついていた。

  The helmets of Sengoku warlords had magnificent crests attached.

noun

figurehead; nominal leader

Used for a person who is nominally in charge but has little real power, or a front person for an organization.

• 彼かれは社しゃ長ちょうだが、実じっ際さいはただの前まえ立だてに過すぎない。

  He is the president, but in reality he is nothing more than a figurehead.