Sai-hai
Japanese
Category
Arms and armour
Date
Unknown
Materials
Wood, Textile, Paper, Brass, Silk
Measurements
330 mm (Length); 290 mm (Length); 16 mm (Diameter)
Order this imageCollection
Snowshill Manor and Garden, Gloucestershire
NT 1328951
Summary
Japanese sai-hai. Large paper tassels held by a wooden roundel which is attached by material to a wooden black lacquered stick. The stick has two brass fittings pierced with heart decoration and, at one end, two Mons. Other end to paper has red silk tassel on red silk cord. The sai-hai was used by commanders on the field of battle to direct troop movements, as wearing masks made speech difficult.
Provenance
Given to the National Trust with Snowshill Manor in 1951 by Charles Paget Wade.
Makers and roles
Japanese , maker