Agemaki (Decorative Tassel)

These are only worn upon armour as a decoration, and have no other function. They are usually in the shape of the character ju (a cross), but there are two other recognized styles, the hito shape (reverse V), and the iri shape (reverse Y). The colour is generally red, but purple is used by people of higher class. The length when knotted is such as to reach to the hotte (waist-line) when the tops of the cords are fastened to the rings (daiza) on the back of the shoulders.

Garbutt adds: Similar, but smaller, tassels are also worn on the back of the helmet.