Kanji flag from KIA with blood and battle damage

[M Bando]

I always wanted one like this and finally got one a month ago. My friend
Dan Crews bought it at an estate sale in southern IL, and traded it to me.

[WalterB]

Very nice example. It would be interesting to know what the writing says.

[GeorgeP]

Interesting. Highly unusual to see unit identifiers on a flag, and strange looking ones at that.


Tom

[GHP]

Good news: It has a named unit!!!
海櫻藝能隊壹回九州派遣部隊 [old kanji on flag]

Bad news: It's an entertainment troupe
海桜芸能隊一回九州派遣部隊 [modern kanji]
Umizakura [Ocean Cherry Blossom] Performing Arts Unit, 1st Kyushu Dispatch Troupe

Right margin:
祈武運長久
Inori bu’un chōkyū
Prayers for continued luck in the fortunes of war

海櫻移動藝能隊九州支部
Umizakura Undo Geino-tai Kyushu Shibu
Umizakura Performing Arts Unit Kyushu Branch

8:00
海桜の荒武者
Yamazakura no Ara-Musha
Umizakura's Wild Warrior

Upper left:
贈 川津君
Zo Kawazu-kun
Gift to Mr. Kawazu

to left of that:
敵國降伏 小幡勝
Tekikoku Kōfuku Obata Masaru
Enemy surrender -- [signed] Obata Masaru


Found this in a newspaper while searching:

〈敵機の暴爆をはね返して逞（たくま）しく復興へ進軍している福岡市民に楽しいひとときの憩いを提供しよう と海桜芸能隊では九州海軍監督官事務所後援のもとに二十三日午後、市役所前と博多駅前の二カ所で楽しい野外 演芸会を開いた〉

24 July 1944
In order to provide the indefatigable Fukuoka citizens who repel the bombing of enemy planes and proceed to recovery with a pleasant time, a relaxing time at the Kaizai Performing Arts Center under the auspices of the Kyushu Navy Directorate Office On the afternoon of the 23rd, we had a fun outdoor entertainment event in front of the city hall and Hakata station.

So perhaps "Umizakura" is pronounced "Kaizai"???? I know that ocean [umi] is also pronounced "kai", but I cannot find a "zai" sound for sakura.