Ref.: ROME-54079
Samurai of the Momoyama period (Japan 1574-1602) In 1573 Japan was lacerated by a sequence of wars for the control of the islands. The famous general Oda Nobunaga used to arm the warriors of the first lines with long swords, the “nagamaki”. The typical weapons of the Samurai were the long “Katana” and the short “Wakizashi” which was the inseparable guardian of his honour, and was also used for the “seppuku” or ritual suicide. In the same “Azuchi Momoyama“ period in Japan an oblong and rectangular shaped flag was also used and was secured to the back by means of a metal ring. The flag was used to distinguish the various detachments, since each warrior was carrying the Mon of his lord. Both Daymio and Samurai of higher ranks used to indicate the family Mon on their “sacchimono”. Their warriors carried the same symbol painted in smaller scale. There were different types of armour: Yoroi, Do-Maru, and Gusoku which was the result of the western influence.