Confused about Sashimonos

[vodkafan]

So, Wikipedia tells me that sashimono back banners were worn by both Samurai and ashigaru foot soldiers.
(Two Osprey men at arms books told me absolutely nothing on the subject)
So, what I need to know for my miniature armies is: how many should be sporting one of these on their backs? One per unit? Perhaps the leader? My Dixon ashigaru have a standard bearer figure- if men have small standards on their backs,  what is the point of this standard and how does it differ?
Questions like this. Any info appreciated from more knowledgeable members.

[fred]

Basically lots!

On my 10mm figures I went with 2 or 3 per unit



But could easily have gone with more

I printed the designs on mine on normal paper, folded it and stuck them to the metal banners.

Designs indicated clans, rather than colours.

[has.been]

I would go with Kurosawa.

[OSHIROmodels]

No hard and fast rules really. Lots of different whys and wherefores.

Some general rules would be; earlier in the sengoku period probably means less of them, the richer the daimyo the more chance of a higher proportion of sashimono etc.

Also, for some larger battles, some smaller units could be integrated into a larger force and would have sashimono given to them.

No real heraldry rules either (not like medieval Europe). It was generally down to individual family member/officers in charge etc.

I’m assuming that the Samurai Archives are still up and running (haven’t been there for a while) and it’s well worth a look for guidance. 

Basically, have fun and don’t worry too much about it 

[Osmoses]

Nowhere near as many as most wargamers use. There is very little contemporary evidence for either designs, or usage of sashimono. The vast majority of information we have comes from the Edo period and later. But sashimono are essentially for identification, so could be worn by a unit leader, an individual warrior, or a retainer of that warrior carrying one on his behalf. I doubt very much the uniform sashimono for everyone à-la-Kurosawa was a thing. Certainly not before 1600 anyway. But, it does look cool, and I have all my 6mm 'big battle' units with massed sashimono.

Flags differ in that they are unit identifiers. So various warrior retainers in a 'unit' may have sashimono with their own kamon, but flags in that unit may carry the kamon of the lord commanding the unit.

Bit of a discussion here:

https://tenkafubu608971038.wordpress.com/2021/08/02/sashimono-aesthetic-versus-utility/

[Cat]

I would go with Kurosawa.

That is always a good default.
: 3

[FierceKitty]

That is always a good default.
: 3

Except that his battle scenes are nothing but shouting "advance!" (or skirmishes like too many Sengoku games), his matchlockmen never miss, and his version of Nagashino showed no interest whatever in the tactics actually used. I admire the man's movies, but prefer the interior scenes, with characters moving like chess pieces.