What is a sashimono?

In the samurai era, each warrior belonged to a specific clan. The latter claimed their emblem by wearing them on sashimono. Precisely, sashimono are banners brandished by samurais in battle.

But they were also used to help the Japanese armies distinguish their allies from their adversaries. Sashimono is not only ornamental but also part of a warlike dynamic. ⚔️

Brief history of sashimono

Sashimono became very popular during the troubled times in Japan. It is during the Sengoku period between the 15th and 17th century that sashimono was used intensively.

The region has indeed experienced a great period of unrest with social and political conflicts. The different clans had to fight each other very frequently. This situation often led to chaotic confrontations that required the samurai to recognize each other.

How is the sashimono?

The sashimono is usually attached to the back of the samurai’s armor. The latter carries a lot of equipment that takes up space. It is not uncommon to see a samurai equipped with a katana and a wakizashi to go to the battlefield.

The samurai’s armor is made of different materials such as bamboo or leather. On the back of this one is a place to attach the banner to the armor.

Sashimono do not emphasize a particular rank of the warrior. Any person could wear it, be it an infantryman or an elite warrior.

Visual definition of sashimono

The sahimonos are varied because each clan has one with its effigy. Generally, the banner is rectangular in shape with a black and white pattern. These come in a variety of sizes. The most important members of the army sometimes wore more imposing sashimi.

The banner was relatively simple. Warriors had to be able to recognize their clan quickly in battle. It includes the name of the clan, the leader and the slogan. Sashimono is easily distinguished by its background color which varies according to the clan to which it belongs.

Finally, some elite samurai can sometimes wear sashimono specially designed for them. This gave them a certain authority in combat. And the warriors could recognize their leader at a glance.

Sashimono in Ghost of Tsushima

The game Ghost of Tsushima is a real success and deals with sashimono . The latter has put a real emphasis on sashimono by including more than 80 different kinds. They are scattered on the 3 islands and you will have to find them.

The six clans of Tsushima are represented by their own colors:

• Adachi Their sashimono is blue with white stripes.
• Kikuchi It has a white color with green stripes.
• Nagao A sashimono with a yellow background and white stripes.
• Sakai This one has a black color with white stripes.
• Shimura It has a red background with white stripes.
• Yarikawa their sashimono has a white background with black stripes.

To find them, you will have to look for them in hidden places. These standards will give you access to new saddles for your mounts. It is also possible to offer the banners in exchange for Tsushima clan stories.

Do you like samurai stories? We recommend you to read our article about theMeiji era.

What is a wooden sashimono?

This term can be somewhat ambiguous as it can also refer to a technique for assembling parts. For example, you can create boxes that fit perfectly together.

This traditional technique requires a rigorous know-how that is learned through many years of practice.

In the wooden sashimonoThe boards are cut very finely and then heated to soften and curve. They are dried before the final installation. Finally, the lacquerer applies a natural adhesive called “urushi” which will protect the material for a long time.