Military communication in feudal Japan

Japanese emblems

military use of fans in feudal Japan

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

thumb|A gunbai The is a type of signal baton and Japanese war fan. Once held by military leaders (such as ) and priests in the past, it is used in the modern day by umpires in sumo wrestling.

thumb|These colorful nobori outside Tō-ji announce a bazaar being held within the grounds of the temple.

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.

cloak with a wickwork frame worn by samurai

thumb|250px|Date Masamune's Hatajirushi.(Black flag, and Black feather on top ) text: "小馬志るし"()

300px|thumb|right|Japanese horagai, a conch shell used for religious purposes or as a signal instrument|signal for [[samurai]] Horagai () (or jinkai ) are large conch shells, usually from Charonia tritonis, that have been used as trumpets in Japan for many centuries. The instrument, which has served a number of purposes throughout Japanese history, has been given a number of Japanese names depending on its function. Special schools still teach students to play the traditional music associated with the conch.