noun
large decorative black flagpole tassel
Historical item made from tail hair (yak, horse, ox, etc.) or dyed hemp, used as a military standard or ornament. Also written 大頭.
古戦場の絵巻には、大将の旗に大纛が揺れている様子が描かれている。
In picture scrolls of ancient battlefields, large decorative tassels are depicted swaying on the commander's flag.
noun
emperor's encampment
Historical term for the imperial camp or headquarters. Rare and limited to classical contexts.
古典の軍記物語では、大纛という語が天皇の本営を指すことがある。
In classical war tales, the word 大纛 sometimes refers to the emperor's main camp.
The exact derivation is uncertain. The kanji 纛 means a large banner or its tassel, and 大纛 literally 'great banner/tassel' came to refer to the imperial standard and, by extension, the emperor's encampment.