baton of command
Historical term for a commander's baton used to direct troops, often seen in period contexts.
戦国時代の大将は采配を振って兵を指揮した。
In the Warring States period, generals directed their troops by waving a baton of command.
Figurative extension from the baton; refers to giving orders or taking charge, common in business and organizational contexts.
新社長が采配を振るって会社を立て直した。
The new president took command and turned the company around.
彼の采配でプロジェクトは成功した。
The project succeeded under his direction.
采配 (often 采配を振る) refers informally to directing or managing operations, while 指揮 is the more formal, general term for command.
Cremastra appendiculata (orchid species)
Standard kanji spelling for both the historical baton and the modern figurative command sense.
Rarely used kanji form; 幣 is a variant character for the baton.
Originally referred to a commander's baton used in battle; the figurative sense of 'command' developed from the idea of wielding authority.