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Critical Bill
03-07-2009, 01:00
Hi All

Apologies if this is the wrong place for my question...and it's a bit of a random one too :)

I believe that classical knights would have their devices/insignia/coat of arms on their shields. Does anyone know if the samurai have an equivalent, or did they not display any insignia in battle?

Thanks in advance

Paradox
03-07-2009, 07:00
Here are some examples:

https://img262.imageshack.us/my.php?image=0910kb.jpg
https://img444.imageshack.us/my.php?image=e818xq.jpg

So they did, only they placed them on a sashimono rather than shields. I think it's more accurate to call it "heraldry" than "coat of arms." The two links above show the insignia of retainer clans that served a much larger one, the major clan crests can be found here: http://samurai-archives.com/crest1.html

A few others had personal banners that distinguished them. For example, one bold general known as Ii Naomasa outfitted his entire unit in red to strike fear into the enemy, they eventually became known as the "Red Devils" and would instantly be known in the battlefield.

Critical Bill
03-07-2009, 22:45
Thank you very much for this Fahad - it's exactly what I was after.

Much appreciated.

Paradox
03-08-2009, 05:02
No problem, glad to see I was helpful. :bow: