Hatamoto

EACH GREAT SAMURAI WARLORD, OR DAIMYO, HAD A `HOUSEHOLD DIVISION` OF TROOPS, KNOWN AS THE HATAMOTO. THE HATAMOTO INCLUDED THE PERSONAL BODYGUARDS, BOTH HORSE (UMA MAWARI) AND FOOT (KACHI); THE SENIOR GENERALS (BUGYO), THE STANDARD BEARERS AND COLOR-GUARD, COURIERS, AND OTHER SAMURAI UNDER THE WARLORD`S PERSONAL COMMAND. ALL THREE GREAT LEADERS OF THE 16-17TH CENTURY - INCLUDING ODA, HIDEYOSHI, AND TOKUGAWA - HAD THEIR OWN ELITE CORPS.