Japanese Flag

[grovb]

What is the best way to store/ display/ and conserve a Japanese Flag? Also what is the best way to tell of it as WWII period?

thanks
Brandyn

[MikeB]

Japanese Flag...

The first question to ask is "What form of textile is your flag made from?" Most Japanese flags were made from either silk, cotton, wool, or rayon. Silk, cotton, and wool have different needs for storing and display. As for conservation, what kind of problems do you see with your flag that should be conserved? MikeB

[Paul G]

These are just my thoughts on the subject. For storing you should roll them in a storage tube container, like what you see maps rolled in. This will keep the sharp folds out of them. You often see delicate flags tear at the folds after many years of being stored folded. When storing or diplaying in frames...ACID FREE IS THE KEY!!. Display out of direct, or even filtered sunlight, as this will degrade the flags colors. Conserve, I say leave it alone, and keep it in a dry place, not too cold or too hot. Moisture and mold are the enemy. I have heard of others wetting their flags , and laying them out flat to get the wrinkles out. I would not try it, as I saw one where the guy said he did that and the red sun ran all over the flag ....it was a mess

PG-

[grovb]

I believe it to be cotton. On the conservation front my concern would be four small holes and also the long term protection of it.

Brandyn

[MikeB]

Japanese Flag...

Brandyn-
Paul gave you some good advice on how to maintain your flag. Working from the bottom up; if your flag has small holes, I would do nothing with them. The best storage is flag storage. If you can place the item in an archival box, or folder that is the best. Storage between non-acid tissue paper is also another way to go. If you choose to roll the flag in a tube, make sure it is made from a non-acid material. You always want to keep the temperature low as well as the humidity. Those are the two worse things for fabric items along with UV rays that also damage the material. Never, ever apply moisture to the flag especially a good luck flag that contains black ink kanji on the front. Displaying the flag properly involves many more considerations. Mike