Gumbai
A Gumbai ( Japanese. 軍 配 ), short for Gumbai Uchiwa ( 軍 配 団 扇 , dt. "Army deployment fan"), is a lacquered wooden fan in the form of a small shield that was used in medieval Japan to visually convey orders to soldiers.
Today it is used as a tool by the Gyōji ( Sumō referee), with the help of which various commands are displayed, such as the release of a fight. The winner of a sumo match is also announced by pointing the Gyōji with the Gumbai in the direction of the winner's start. A long cord hangs from the gunbai, the color of which, like the colors of his garment, provides information about the rank of Gyōji. The Yobidashi , who also appears in the sumo ring, also uses a fan; However, this is made of paper and not Gumbai.
literature
- Oscar Ratti, Adele Westbrook: Secrets of the Samurai. The Martial Arts of Feudal Japan . Tuttle, 2009, ISBN 978-4-8053-1405-0 , pp. 258 (English, limited preview in Google Book search).