A まとい is a flag used in Edo period Japan by hikeshi to notify people of a fire near or within a building. It was taken up on a roof near the burning building by the matoimochi and waved to draw the attention of other groups of firefighters, who would then hurry to the site of the fire to assist. Each different group of firemen in the Edo per...
Found on
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matoi
A traditional cheering pole, originally used at fire fighting by hikeshi (Edo firemen). Different fire departments would have different matoi. It was also used as a practise target for shooting water at. The main task of the firemen was to isolate a fire by tearing down the neighboring houses. Nowadays it is used as a festival item, representing fi...
Found on
http://www.wafuku.co.uk/glossary.htm
fire fighting item.
Found on
https://www.encyclo.co.uk/local/22630
No exact match found.
