Historical flags of Japan

Last modified: 2002-02-23 by phil nelson
Keywords: lu chu kingdom | japan: lu chu kingdom | daimyo |
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• Feudal (Daimyo) flags
• Royal flags of Japan, circa 1876
• Flag of the Royal Family, circa 1876 (Japan) (large image)

• Daimyo flags, 15th - 17th century
• Japan

Feudal (Daimyo) flags

 
by Jaume Ollé

The Tokugawa family had ruled Japan politically for 300 years until the Meiji government was established in 1868 and in 1871 the court dismissed its Daimyo governors and consolidated their domains (about 300 HANs all in Japan) into more rationally structured prefectures (KEN). In the period of war among the states (1467-1603) there was 68 KUNI's and each KUNI was ruled by Daimyo feudal lord, each having beautiful colorful flags based on Japanese Mon. The flags were called Daimyo flags in English and Hata-sashimono in Japanese.

After the lengthy warring period Tokugawa Ieyasu received the title of shogun from the emperor in 1603 three years after achieving military supremacy over all the daimyo of Japan in the decisive Battle of Sekigahara in 1600.
Nozomi Kariyasu, 01 April 1998, February 2000

In 1868 the Meiji Restoration occurred in 1868, which means that the Emperor was restored a political power from Shogun of the Tokugawa family which had been set up by Ieyasu Tokugawa in 1603 after Big battle of Sekigahara in 1600 when we can see lots of Sengoku daimyo's flags.

For the 265 previous years Emperors had only a nominal political power.

'Daimyo' is a big manor in again straight English translation and Daimyo is not a aristocracy but a bi