During the mid-Edo period (1603-1867), groups of firefighting organizations (made up of townspeople) were on par in popularity amongst townsfolk with those of sumo wrestlers, feudal era police (judiciary officers in Edo, administrative officials, and town magistrates that helped keep the peace) and each of the 48 firefighting organizations had their own standard they adopted as a symbol of their group. These standards were made up of flags attached to poles, the flags having a unique design that served to coalesce the idea behind their group into an image, and what were known as baren (long strips of felt, thick paper, or leather attached in the manner of tassels) were another remarkable facet of their design. These standards were made to be both lightweight and sturdy through the ingenuity and hard work of the various types of craftsman that put them together.