noun
gourd-shaped war fan
Historical military tool used by commanders to signal troops; abbreviation of 軍配団扇.
See also: 軍配団扇
戦国時代の武将は軍配を手に戦場に立った。
Warlords in the Sengoku period stood on the battlefield with a war fan in hand.
noun
referee's fan
Used by sumo referees (gyōji) to signal decisions; abbreviation of 軍配団扇. Also appears in the idiom 軍配が上がる (to be declared the winner).
See also: 軍配団扇 · 軍配が上がる (ぐんばいがあがる)
行司が軍配を上げて勝者を示した。
The referee raised his fan to indicate the winner.
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru'
Figurative extension from the referee's fan; refers to strategic moves or tactical decisions, often in competitive contexts. Can be used as a suru-verb (軍配する).
彼の軍配はいつも的確だ。
His tactical decisions are always spot-on.
試合の流れを読んで軍配する。
He reads the flow of the match and makes strategic calls.