Matching seal - Matching seal

This refers to a mark attached to weapons and equipment in order to accurately distinguish friend from foe on the battlefield. It is also written as sohyo. It was used in conjunction with a password to prevent friendly fire during night attacks or when melee combat was expected. Various types were used as appropriate, such as wearing a white dasuki or wrapping white cloth around the hilt of a sword, and the name differs depending on where it was attached. For example, there are small flags attached to the front or back of a helmet, sleeve flags attached to the left and right sleeves of armor, and waist flags attached to the waist, but kasajirushi was the most commonly used. It also refers to a seal with the character ' to be used for checking records.

[Fumio Inagaki]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

戦陣において敵と味方を的確に把握するため、武具などにつけて目印としたものをいう。相標とも書く。夜襲の際、また乱戦などが予想される場合に、味方の同士討ちを避けるため、合いことばとあわせて用いた。白だすきをするとか、白布を刀の柄(つか)に巻くなど、適宜にいろいろなものを使ったが、取り付け箇所によって呼び名も異なる。たとえば、小旗を兜(かぶと)の前とか後ろにつける笠標(かさじるし)、鎧(よろい)の左右の袖(そで)につける袖標、または腰につける腰標などがあるが、笠標がもっとも多く用いられた。ほかに、記帳の照合に用いるの字を彫った印もいう。

［稲垣史生］

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