Tokugawa Sashimono

Sashimono are traditional war banners worn by both ashigaru and samurai, (Samurai War Banner) designed to display a Daimyo or samurai clan’s mon (symbol) and unit details on the battlefield. Typically attached to the back of a warrior via a gattari and machi-uke bracket system and supported by a dake-no-koto (bamboo banner pole), these banners allowed warriors to be easily identified by their clan affiliations while marching or in combat. Elite warriors even featured their own personal designs on their banners.