Page:Brinkley - Japan - Volume 2.djvu/186

JAPAN The stirrup, originally a simple affair resembling that of China and Europe, afterwards took the form of a solid half shoe-sole with toe turned up. Both the stirrup and the saddle-frame were often of exquisite workmanship; covered with the richest gold lacquer (aventurine or with ornamentation in relief), or inlaid with gold, silver, or mother-of-pearl. In the latter half of the Military epoch chain armour was adopted for the horse, and his head was protected by a monster-faced mask of iron.

Flags were used in battle as well as on ceremonial occasions. Allusion has already been made to the red and white flags of the Taira and the Minamoto. There were also streamers emblazoned with various legends, or with figures of the sun, the moon, a dragon, a tiger, a hawk, a bear, and so on. The Minamoto men often carried a flag with the design of a dove, since that bird was the messenger of their tutelary deity, the god of battles. A common custom, also, was to have a small flag thrust into the girdle. It would seem that the use of flags was derived from China, but the Japanese never imitated the extravagant profusion of the Chinese practice.

Fans with iron ribs were carried by commanding officers, and signals to advance or retreat were given by beating metal gongs and drums and blowing conches. During the Military epoch

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