Flags of Japan

national flag of Japan

Japanese flag

thumb|Woodblock print by Utagawa Kuniyoshi from the series Six Select Heroes depicting [[Kojima Yatarō wearing a sashimono]]

300px|thumb|right|upright=2|A variety of Uma-Jirushi designs, taken from the 17th century book O Uma Jirushi. For other pages from this book see the Commons:Category:Heraldry of Japan|collection of Japanese heraldry images or collection of Uma-Jirushi images.

traditional gift for Japanese servicemen

thumb|314x314px|1833 artwork depicting firefighters with and ladders, Edo-Tokyo Museum A was a flag used in Edo period Japan by hikeshi firemen to notify people of a fire near or within a building. It was taken up on a roof near the burning building by the and waved to draw the attention of other groups of firefighters, who would then hurry to the site of the fire to assist. Each different group of firemen in the Edo period had their own to identify themselves.thumb|315x315px|Members of the group with in Ikegami Honmon-ji|Ikegami, Tokyo, JapanIn modern Japan, the is only used for ceremonial pu