{{Short description|Japanese banner}} {{Italic title|reason=:Category:Japanese words and phrases}} {{Distinguish|Sashimono}}{{More citations needed|date=June 2025}}[[Image:Kyoto Toji Nobori C0922.jpg|thumb|These colorful ''nobori'' outside Tō-ji announce a bazaar being held within the grounds of the temple.]]

{{Nihongo|'''''Nobori'''''|幟|}} is a type of Japanese banner. They are long, narrow canvas flags, attached length-wise to a pole.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Schnell |first=Scott |url=https://muse.jhu.edu/book/10948 |title=The Rousing Drum: Ritual Practice in a Japanese Community |date=1999 |publisher=University of Hawai'i Press |pages=125 |via=Project MUSE}}</ref> A cross-rod holds the fabric straight out to prevent it from furling around the rod; this way, the field is always visible and identifiable.

==History of use== The ''nobori'' were significant on the battlefields of feudal Japan. ''Nobori'' of the time were used to denote units within an army; they became much more common in the Sengoku period and were used alongside the earlier ''hata-jirushi''. Though usually used to represent different divisions within an army, ''nobori'' were sometimes made identical, so as to produce an impressive and intimidating display of warrior flags.

Today, ''nobori'' are a common sight in Japan. Often, they are used for making announcements and advertising sales, products, or the name of a business; and can frequently be found outside retail stores, restaurants, and other businesses. Political parties also use ''nobori'' to identify themselves during election campaigns. In festivals and sports events, ''nobori'' are used in a similar fashion to the way banners and signs are used in Western sporting events. Shinto shrines or Buddhist temples may line walkways, fences or walls with ''nobori'', frequently bearing the names of donors or deceased parishioners. In recent years, ''nobori'' influenced flags are gaining popularity around the world.{{citation needed|date=May 2017}}

==Gallery== <gallery widths="200" heights="200"> File:Hyakken-taki-hudoson,百間滝不動尊の幟－P8161927.jpg|''Nobori'' at a Shinto shrine File:Yellow hat Sasayama store.jpg|A curved ''nobori'' used to advertise a Cosmo petrol station File:Banner AFHC 2008 conference.jpg|Advertisement of an AFHC conference File:Nobori, appealing goods.jpg|A ''nobori'' advertising chilled noodles sold at a Lawson convenience store File:Proarticle9demo-may2014nearginza.jpg|''Nobori'' held by a group of pro-Article 9 demonstrators near Ginza </gallery>

==See also== <!-- Please respect alphabetical order. --> * ''Koinobori'' – fish-shaped streamers flown on ''Kodomo no hi'' (Children's Day) * ''Sashimono'' – small banners worn on the back of ''ashigaru'' foot soldiers and samurai * ''Uma-jirushi'' – large heraldic banners of ''daimyōs'' or commanders * ''Umbul-umbul'' – slightly similar Indonesian vertical banner, common in Java and Bali.

==References== {{Reflist}}

== External links == * {{Commons category inline}}

{{Japanese (samurai) weapons, armour and equipment}}

Category:Japanese heraldry Category:Military communication in feudal Japan Category:Samurai weapons and equipment

{{Japan-culture-stub}}