Hatamoto Part II

As Stephen Turnbull explains Hatamoto can be translated as meaning, “beneath the flag.” With that in mind the flag is part of the commander’s close retinue on and off the battlefield. Thus my title for this simple Space Marine Command group was given the antiquated Japanese name. The one particular Samurai command retinue which sparked my interest was that of Oda Nobunaga who employed a bodyguard detail consisting of two squads of ten men who were unique because of their impressive uniforms. One squad wore black armour, silver stylized wings and a black Horo (an inflated empty ball on the back of the warrior, very distinctive!); while the other squad wore red armour, gold wings and red Horo. The warriors of a General’s Hatamoto were sworn to protect their leader in battle as well as providing him with tactical advice and occasionally a pool of elite warriors he could count on to lead particularly vital assaults. For more information on Hatamoto and other Samurai history, I would highly recommend looking up the author/historian Stephen Turnbull. His works have piqued and sustained my thirst for knowledge about all things Samurai. Hical, James

Turnbull, Stephen, Hatamoto: Samurai Horse and Foot Guards 1540-1724. Osprey Publishing, Oxford, Great Britain, 2010, 4