Field Ensign (Sashimono)

18th century

Not on view

Field ensigns (sashimono) served as personal identifiers on the battlefield and were mounted on the back of the cuirass (dō). Typically, a sashimono comprised a banner or personal flag attached to a bamboo rod. This unusual example features wooden balls attached to flexible baleen shafts that, when in motion, would have knocked against each other to create a cracking sound.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

Title: Field Ensign (Sashimono)
Date: 18th century
Culture: Japanese
Medium: Wood, lacquer, copper, gold, whale bone (baleen)
Dimensions: H. 34 1/8 in. (86.7 cm); H. of (a) 20 3/4 in. (52.7 cm); H. of (b) 15 1/8 in. (38.4 cm); W. of (a) 11 1/4 in. (28.6 cm); Wt. of (a) 12.5 oz. (354.4 g); Wt. of (b) 3.5 oz. (99.2 g)
Classification: Miscellaneous
Credit Line: Gift of Etsuko O. Morris and John H. Morris Jr., 2018
Object Number: 2018.833.28a, b
Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

More Artwork

In the same medium

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Armor (<i>Gusoku</i>), Saotome Ietada Japanese, Iron, lacquer, silk, gilt copper, Japanese — Armor (*Gusoku*)
Saotome Ietada
Myōchin Munesuke
16th and 18th centuries

Armor (<i>Yoroi</i>) of Ashikaga Takauji (1305–1358), Iron, lacquer, leather, silk, gilt copper, Japanese — Armor (*Yoroi*) of Ashikaga Takauji (1305–1358)
Japanese
early 14th century

Helmet in the Shape of a Crouching Rabbit, Iron, lacquer, silver, gold, leather, silk, Japanese — Helmet in the Shape of a Crouching Rabbit
Japanese
17th century

Helmet, Iron, copper, gold, Japanese — Helmet
Japanese
5th century

Sword Guard (Tsuba), Omori Hidenaga Japanese, Copper-gold alloy (shakudō), gold, copper, silver, Japanese — Sword Guard (Tsuba)
Omori Hidenaga
18th century

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.