Late Edo Period 18th/19th century
Saihai Commander Baton/ Paulownie (Go-Shichi no Kiri) Family Mon, Mid to Late Edo Period 18th/19th century, wood, iron, paper, and silk.
The saihai or sai-hai was a sign of rank and a signal device carried by samurai commanders in the rear to be able to signal their troops during a battle. This late 18th early 19th Century Saihai (采配) Commander baton is a classical example. It consisted of a black lacquered wooden stick, with golden and silver lacquered heraldic Paulownie crest (Go-Shichi no Kiri) with metal ends.
The gilded copper head of the saihai is decorated with an engraved heraldic Mon of the Matsunaga Family. It has a hole with a painted leather cord attached to a tassel of strips of golden lacquered paper
The end (grip) has a hole for a cord for the saihai to be attached to the Tsuke-no-kan (采配付鐶) or the Saihai no kan which is a ring on the front of a dó (cuirass) hung from the armor of the samurai when not being used.
THE FUTAGO COLLECTION 