Banner (Sashimono)

ca. 1615–1868

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 377

Banners (sashimono) were historically worn by soldiers in feudal Japan for identification during battle. Their L-shaped poles were attached to the back of the cuirass in a variety of ways and such banners, resembling small flags, bore family crests or other identifying symbols. The central crest of interlocked circles (wa-chigai) was used throughout Japanese history by several families, most prominently so by the Wakisaka (脇坂), who were land-holding feudal lords (daimyō) until the abolition of the feudal system in 1868.

Artwork Details

Overview

Title: Banner (Sashimono)
Date: ca. 1615–1868
Culture: Japanese
Medium: Textile, leather, lacquer
Dimensions: Approx. 4 x 2 ft. (122 x 61 cm)
Classification: Banners
Credit Line: Gift of Rosemarie and Leighton R. Longhi, in honor of John Carpenter, 2023
Object Number: 2023.735.7
Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

More Artwork

In the same gallery

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

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

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 (<i>Hoshi- Kabuto</i>) in the 16th-Century Style, Saotome Ienari Japanese, Iron, lacquer, silk, Japanese — Helmet (*Hoshi- Kabuto*) in the 16th-Century Style
Saotome Ienari
probably late 17th–early 18th century

Helmet (<i>Zukinnari Kabuto</i>), Iron, lacquer, Japanese — Helmet (*Zukinnari Kabuto*)
Japanese
16th century

Pair of Stirrups (<i>Abumi</i>), Iron, lacquer, mother-of-pearl, Japanese — Pair of Stirrups (*Abumi*)
Japanese
late 16th–early 17th 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.