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Battle Flag (Sashimono) with Five-Element Stupa

first half 19th century

Not on view

This flag has a stencil-dyed crest of a five-element stupa that originally functioned as a grave marker or cenotaph and derived from a similar stupa containing relics of the historical Buddha. Its stone pieces also represent the five elements—from bottom to top: earth, water, fire, wind, and space. This insignia is often seen on samurai flags.

Battle Flag (Sashimono) with Five-Element Stupa, Plain-weave silk with stencil paste-resist dyeing (kata-zome), Japan — This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Battle Flag (Sashimono) with Five-Element Stupa, Plain-weave silk with stencil paste-resist dyeing (kata-zome), Japan

Battle Flag (Sashimono) with Five-Element Stupa, Plain-weave silk with stencil paste-resist dyeing (kata-zome), Japan

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

赤地五輪塔紋指物

Title: Battle Flag (Sashimono) with Five-Element Stupa

Period: Edo period (1615–1868)

Date: first half 19th century

Culture: Japan

Medium: Plain-weave silk with stencil paste-resist dyeing (kata-zome)

Dimensions: 30 × 19 7/8 in. (76.2 × 50.5 cm)

Classification: Textiles

Credit Line: Lent by John C. Weber Collection

The Met

Asian Art at The Met

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world.