battle standard with hanging strips
Historical military object: a pole decorated with long strips of paper or leather, used as a unit marker in battle.
fireman's standard (Edo period)
A similar pole-mounted standard used by Edo-period fire brigades to identify their group; often seen in festivals and historical depictions.
In battles of the Warring States period, the matoi was used as a marker for military units.
Edo-period firefighters rushed to the scene of a fire carrying their matoi standards.
Kana spelling used when the kanji is obscure or for clarity.
Alternate spelling with okurigana; less common but still seen.
Derived from the verb 纏う (まとう, 'to wrap around'), referring to the strips of material wrapped or hung from the pole.