Hatamoto

Each great samurai warlord, or daimyo, had a division of troops known as the Hatamoto, ''those who stand under the flag''.

The Hatamoto included the personal bodyguards, the senior generals, the standard bearers and colour-guard, the couriers, and the other samurai under the warlord''s personal command. Apart from bodyguard and other duties in immediate attendance on the daimyo, both horse and foot...