Arrow signs are one among the most commonly used markers used by the JIA (Japanese Imperial Army) in marking their hidden Yamashita treasures. But what I noticed to more amatuer treasure hunters is that they often interpret them wrong.

Before we proceed with some examples of arrowhead markers, let us first answer the question “What exactly is an arrow sign?”

Shown on this illustration is an image of a simple traditional arrow sign. The front portion of this sign is what’s composed of the “arrow tip” or “arrowhead” while the long straight line behind it is its body.

As a Yamashita treasure sign, it is also interpreted the same way as an ordinary arrow sign where you just have to follow the direction indicated by its arrowhead.

But aside from this traditional arrow sign, the JIA have also drawn them in many different versions. With their varied and different styles, they also offer much details in pointing a certain direction or location.

Treasure Deposit is Buried Under

On this post, we are going to focus our discussion on arrow signs that are composed of only the arrow tip or arrowhead. We can actually compare the arrowhead to the letter “V” symbol of the English alphabet or the number five of the Roman Numerals.

If it happens that you encountered this type of sign on your site, it means that the treasure deposit is buried underneath it. Let’s say for example that you discovered this kind of sign on your treasure hunting site which is engraved on a surface of a huge old rock. What you have to do is simple. You just have to dig underneath it.

However, a simple V sign or marker actually do have general meanings where it can also mean hidden tunnel. Another one is that the JIA often used it to signify treasure deposits that are raw or still unprocessed.

Towards this Spot

In some cases, you may encounter arrowhead markers that have a small or short body similar to this image here.

If this is the kind of arrow sign that you discovered on your site then consider yourself lucky because it is directly pointing into the exact treasure deposit spot.

Direction Towards a Tunnel Entrance

As shown on this image is a marker composed of three arrowheads. But as you closely observe them, they are all pointing into one same direction. So what does it mean?

It means that there is a hidden tunnel entrance on that particular site.

Hidden Passage or Entrance

Here is another marker indicating a certain hidden passage or entrance. If you are an avid reader of my blog then you might already be familiar about this sign because I already covered it several times in the previous posts.

As you can see on this image, this sign is composed of two symbols which look like “7C”.

What you need to know is that some of the JIA soldiers weren’t good at engraving their signs perfectly. Thus, they sometimes engrave their arrowheads similar to the number seven symbol. So on this particular marker, the seven or arrowhead is pointing into the direction of a certain hidden passage or entrance.

Dig from the Ground Surface Downward

If this is the type of sign that you have discovered on the surface of your site then it means that you need to dig starting from the ground surface going downward.

As you can see on this image, this marker is composed of an arrowhead which is pointing in a downward direction. Below it is a short horizontal line which represents the surface of the ground.

Treasure Deposit is on the South Portion

This marker looks almost exactly the same as the one above. However, the difference is that the straight line is placed at the left side of the arrowhead. Below is another long line that curves around. This long line actually symbolizes the entire site. The arrowhead along with the line indicates that the treasure deposit is buried on the South portion.

Distance of 15 feet and 30 feet

Aside from directions, there are also arrow signs that give details about accurate distances such as this marker. As you can see on this image, the sign is composed of an arrowhead with one short downward line at its tip.

The meaning of this arrow sign is that you need to follow the direction indicated by its arrowhead. But the interesting part is the distance which is 15 feet. Each line on the front of the arrowhead actually dictates the exact distance where one line has an equivalent value of 15 feet.

Let’s say for example that you have discovered another sign similar above but this time, there are two lines. Thus, the distance that you need to travel is now 30 feet.

Triangle Sign Indicating Distance

There are also cases where the JIA soldiers also had drawn their arrowhead signs in the form of  triangles. This is why you have to closely study triangle markers to be able to distinguish them correctly and avoid misinterpretation.

Let’s have an example of an arrowhead in the form of a triangle. Similar to the previous marker, this sign also consists of two lines at the tip. So when it comes to the meaning, it is also exactly the same where you need to travel into the direction indicated by the arrowhead with a distance of 30 feet.

Here is another version of this sign. As you can see, the lines are on top of the triangle arrowhead. Despite the slight change, the meaning remains the same.

Arrowheads Pointing to the Object

As you can see on the image, this sign is composed of three triangles. Before revealing its meaning, I would like to inform you that I already covered the meaning of triangle signs in the previous post where it basically represents the treasure deposit. So on this sign, does it mean that there are three treasure deposits around?

The answer is “No”. There is only one treasure deposit which is indicated by the triangle in the middle. The other two triangle on both sides are arrowheads pointing to the deposit. Thus, the meaning of this marker means that the treasure deposit is under. If you found it engraved on the surface of a huge rock then the item can be buried underneath it or it is inside the rock itself.

Flag Arrow Sign

What can you see in this image? Does it look like a flag? Anyway, the arrowhead is pointing into the exact location where the treasure deposit is hidden.

But how about if we look at this marker from a different angle similar to this image? Does it now look like a flag?

Here is another version of this marker which offers clearer details. 

Whenever you encounter a marker like this, you have to treat the flag as an arrowhead indicating the direction where the item is hidden.

Hidden Underground Passage

As you can see on this image, this particular marker is composed of four arrowheads pointing to a hole or dot at the middle. When interpreted, it means that there is a hidden underground passage below.

Two Separate Treasure Deposits

Shown in this image are two arrowheads that intersect with one another. When it comes to its meaning, it means that there are two separate treasure deposit on the site. And, they are hidden on the opposite sides of that particular spot.

Treasure Deposits are Divided

This arrow sign is somewhat unique where it consists of symbols which is an arrowhead pointing down. Then below it is a line with arrowheads at their both ends.

Just like the marker above, it also means that there are two separate treasure deposits that are hidden at the opposite sides.

And finally, here is an image showing you the different forms of arrowheads that you may find on your excavation site.