Flags of the Mori

by Brian Bradford


1) This sashimono was used by Mori Motonari. The same style was used on his nobori as well. His great standard had this design on the bottom with Japanese writing above it.

2) This nobori is seen in pictures illustrating the Battle of Kizugawaguchi aboard the ships of Mori Terumoto. It is possible that it was used as a sashimono as well.

3) This sashimono was used by Kobayakawa Takakage, the third son of Motonari. His nobori looked the same.

4) The ashigaru flags of Mori Hidemoto. Each soldier wore five of these small flags. His samurai wore a similar flag with three circles.

5) The nobori of Hidemoto. His other great standard had only one circle on it.

6) The character ju on this black sashimono belongs to Murakami Takeyoshi, a retainer of Motonari, who fought at the Battle of Miyajima in 1555.

7) This flag is seen in one of the woodcuts of the Battle of Kizugawaguchi being worn by a Mori samurai. It is uncertain which vassal it belonged to.

8) Ankokuji Ekei used this sashimono. He was a retainer of Terumoto.


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© Copyright 1999 by Brian Bradford
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