A rare Japanese embossed leather and lacquer-finished sashimono or temporary banner emblem in the form of three leaves, Edo period, height 23cm, width 23cm. Provenance: the collection of the late Roald Knutsen (1933-2025); ex Basford Dean Collection. Note: Dr Bashford Dean (1867-1928) was founder and curator of the arms and armour department at the Met, New York. Roald Knutsen notes that these were made as temporary emblems for identifying one samurai clan from another during battle. The emblem would have been applied to the top of a bamboo pole and attached to the cuirass of the warrior. Many of these, if damaged, would need to be replaced or repaired in the field.