袖そで標じるし

noun

sleeve badge; identification flag on shoulder armour

Historical term for a small cloth marker worn on the shoulder of armour to distinguish allies from enemies in battle.

• 戦せん国ごく時じ代だいの武ぶ士しは、味み方かたと敵てきを見み分わけるために袖そで標じるしを鎧よろいの肩かたに付つけた。

  Warriors in the Sengoku period attached sleeve badges to the shoulders of their armour to tell friend from foe.