JAPAN - Umajirushi, battle standard. Three-sided silver-plated copper alloy banner covered with auspicious characters painted in black. Used to identify a clan on the battlefield. One side is marked 八部, the eight groups, referring to deities, monsters and dragons of the Buddhist tradition. Length 230 cm. Japan, late Edo period (1603-1868). Twist and fold on one side, rivet replaced by a screw, restoration. CNES Expert: Sylvain Lamotte