Japanese flag

[blinky]

The person I got these from remembered taking the first one from a pole at Buna Mission the day after Christmas. He was wounded on December 30, 1942 and eventually evacuated back to Australia.

eric

[C. Kleijn]

Very interesting and great flags Eric! Thank you for posting these pictures. I cannot help thinking of a profound connection between the tiger paintings and the location where these flags were picked up. Are there any good reference works concerning these flags, or Japanese militaria in general? I am fairly new to this particular field of collecting and any help would be appreciated.

Cees

P.S. Are there period pictures of Allied soldiers showing such kinda flags? I know for instance several pictures showing German flags as war booty. Made me curious.

[KoCook]

Bring on the tigers......

Cees, your kittys jumping mines looking for a GIs butt to bite.

[KoCook]

Very interesting and great flags Eric! Thank you for posting these pictures. I cannot help thinking of a profound connection between the tiger paintings and the location where these flags were picked up. Are there any good reference works concerning these flags, or Japanese militaria in general? I am fairly new to this particular field of collecting and any help would be appreciated.

Cees

P.S. Are there period pictures of Allied soldiers showing such kinda flags? I know for instance several pictures showing German flags as war booty. Made me curious.

These were good luck flags that soldiers were to carry into battle, the writing is from friends and family with proverbs and such.
The GIs would take them as war booty, thats why there is blood stains on many (such as mine). I'd bet their should be many pictures of GIs with these.
I even remember seeing a documentary of a Japanese troop marching with one on a small pole as a unit type flag.


Mine says this thanks to Ketoujin:

Your flag reads - "permanence" and "great obligation." It is named to a Kiyoji Kimura.
The kanji in the upper right corner are "celebration for departure for the front."

Thanks,
Gunnar




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[C. Kleijn]

Hi Gunnar,

Great flag you have there! It didn't show up earlier today, but now can I see it. Terrific!

Here is an interesting picture I found on eBay. This shot was made on New Georgia Island, August 1943. No Kanji to be seen here, but it shows at least the meatball.

Others are also welcomed to post pictures of their flags.

All the best,

Cees

[Der Texaner]

Cees, you got a great deal on that flag. Blinky, I love your salty flag. Let me know if you ever want to part with it.

[KoCook]

Hi Gunnar,

Great flag you have there! It didn't show up earlier today, but now can I see it. Terrific!

Here is an interesting picture I found on eBay. This shot was made on New Georgia Island, August 1943. No Kanji to be seen here, but it shows at least the meatball.

Others are also welcomed to post pictures of their flags.


All the best,

Cees

I'm pretty sure you can find documentarys with these flags in them.
Gunnar was the person who translated my flag, If you want to find
out what your says you could PM him. He goes by the member name Ketoujin.
The translations also will tell if its real since the fake Kanji is usually jibberish.

Korey

[blinky]

Again, great flags!

There are a lot of great pictures out there of GIs with captured Japanese flags, you just have to keep your eyes open.

When I have time, I'll post some more pictures of some neat salty flags!

eric

[MikeB]

Japanese Flag

Hi. This is my first posting on this Forum and I am glad to have found you guys! There have been some really nice images of flags posted here! The Yosegaki Hinormaru or Good Luck flag was indeed carried on the soldier's gear or person. I have interviewed numerous veterans who told me that they found the flags in helmet liners, pockets, wrapped around torsos, placed in senninbari (1000 stitch belt) pouches, etc. In addition, they were also used at times to mark the soldier's position in the field or line of battle. I have seen various images of Japanese soldiers in trenches or behind obstructions with signed flags flying on poles or bayonets to signify position. I have some great vintage photos, including "booty photos" that I would not mind posting. Can anyone give me the quick heads-up as to how to do it here?

[C. Kleijn]

Hello Mike,

Welcome to the forum! It would be great to see the photos you mentioned. You can only post them if you are an association member - that will cost you 25 USD for one year, and enables you to post pictures and to have access in the association areas of this forum. It is a great investment and you will certainly not regret it. In the meantime you can send me the photos and I will happily post them for you. My e-mail address is included below.

With all the best,

Cees

ceeskleijn@gmail.com

[MikeB]

Japanese Flag

Hello Cees-
Thanks for the welcome and the invitation to post images. Give me a day and I will send you some of my "booty photos" to post here on the Forum. Hope the other members enjoy them.