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Sashimono (指物,差物,挿物) were smallbanners historically worn by soldiers infeudal Japan, for identification duringbattles.[1][2]
Sashimono poles were attached to the backs of thedō "cuirass" byspecial fittings. Sashimono were worn both by foot soldiers, including the common soldiers known asashigaru,[3] as well as by the elitesamurai and members of theshogunate,[4] and in special holders on the horses of somecavalry.[citation needed] The banners, resembling small flags and bearing clan symbols, were most prominent during theSengoku period, a long period of civil war in Japan from the middle 15th to early 17th century.[citation needed]
Given the great variety in Japanese armour, sashimono were used to provide a kind of "uniform" to armies. Sashimono typically came in either square or short rectangular forms, although many variations existed. A variation that is often bigger and coloured is theuma-jirushi, which were large, personalized, sashimono-like flags worn by commanders. Similar to this were the very large and narrownobori banners, which commonly took two or three men to hold erect and were used to control the direction of fighting during large battles. (Uma-jirushi andnobori are still used today at sports events, as Japanese versions of the banners common among Western sports audiences.)[citation needed]
The banner hung from anL-shaped frame, which was attached to the chest armourdō ordou by a socketmachi-uke oruketsubo near the waistline and hinged at shoulder level with a ringgattari orsashimono-gane. While this arrangement was perhaps one of the most common, there were other variations.Silk andleather were the most common materials used.
The designs on sashimono were usually very simple geometric shapes, sometimes accompanied by Japanese characters providing the name of the leader or clan, the clan'smon, or a clan'sslogan.[citation needed] Often, the background colour of the flag indicated which army unit the wearer belonged to, while differentdivisions in these armies emblazoned their own design or logo on it. However, the presence of thedaimyō'smon was used more commonly than the design or logo of the unit, as battles could often get quite large and complicated; being able to recognize friend from foe at a glance is of the utmost importance in battle. Sometimes elite samurai, who were sufficiently famed or respected, had their own personal design or name featured on their sashimono as opposed to that of their division.[citation needed] These stylized designs contrast with the elaborateheraldic devices displayed by some European armies of the same period.
Another important part of signaling and organizing samurai in battle was the sashimono. It was a banner suspended on a pole and worn on the back of a samurai's armor. It was emblazoned with the mon, or badge, of the commander the samurai served. Like many heraldic displays, it served several functions in battle. It was a way of showing off a samurai's presence and glorifying a commander who brought many men to fight.
