Nick Komiya

[Chako]

Hello Nick,
If you have access to the Japanese Web could you please watch for any information on this Tokko-tai pilot, Yokoto Norio? I've always wondered if he survived the War.
Thanks, C.

[Nick Komiya]

The name is Yokota, not Yokoto. Two people found with the same name. There is a doctor having a private practice in Saitama prefecture by that name. The other is a very active athlete that can be ruled out. Otherwise no references on the net connecting this name to the war. That's as far as it can go.

[cbuehler]

How do you know this Yokota was a Tokkotai pilot? There is nothing on the yosegaki that states this. (luckily, because it would be fake of course). Is there any provenance with this?

CB

[Chako]

Nick

Thank you for checking, Nick. You are correct on Yokota...my typo.

I definitely do not read Japanese but the two friends that I have that do both read Tokko-tai and Kamikaze, along with the usual war slogans, names, and the "cherry blossom, tiger skin" poem. This and eight other flags, one belonging to a Kai-gun pilot, came back with an Army vet that did Occupation duty in southern Japan.
Best regards, C.

[MikeB]

Nick Komiya...

A number of Tokko-tai (Special Attack Squad) flags that I have seen make no obvious reference using the word "Kamikaze." Rather, they have references to the Yokaren (naval and then later kamikaze training schools,) final poems, dates, etc. written upon them that clue the reader into their true nature. Mike

[Nick Komiya]

The word Tokko does appear at the 9 o'clock position, but the photo is too small for me to read all that is written to have any opinion whether this is what it is supposed to be.

[MikeB]

Nick Komiya...

One of the flags featured in my book came from a man who served with the Tokko-tai. Tokko-tai, etc. was written upon the front of the flag. I was able to acquire his senninbari, other good luck amulets (omamori,) flag pole finial, shroud, streamers, etc. Mike

[Chako]

9 o'clock photo

Nick,
Even though this flag has been discussed before I am always interested in alternative translations or opinions from readers of Japanese.
Regards, C.

[Chako]

Photo 2

Hopefully these photos include the area in question.
C.

[Nick Komiya]

At the 8 o'clock position it says Kamikaze and at 9 o'clock it says The Tokko Spirit. Are they referring to the suicide pilots? Possibly, but not necessarily. Both were generally used nouns. Divine Wind has the same meaning as Divine Providence and Tokko spirit can simply mean the spirit of making a determined attack (Go for broke spirit). If they were more specific to the nature of the unit saying for instance Tokkotai, or Yokaren then it would have been conclusive. At this stage calling this a Tokkotai flag is like describing all yellow Luftwaffe collar patches as Paratrooper.

[Nick Komiya]

Chako,
Another look at other areas and I think I see Tokkotai in the 2 o'clock position can you give me a shot of that area (2 to 3 o'clock) for me to be positive?

[cbuehler]

Yes, I can see the writing now. There is also Hissho meaning victory. I dont want to be the devils advocate here, but when I see these these flags, doubt is the rule. Most of the writing is by the same hand and the condition is typically very good. There are a LOT of these flags floating around and without clear provenance I stear clear of them. Do be aware that flags with writing across the Hinomaru and use of the words Kamikaze and Tokko etc. are not what was typically used during war. These flags were commonly forged by enterprising US servicemen, sometimes by themselves (and the writing will look it) or have some Japanese forge it for them.
I dont want to go so far as to state that this flag is not good, but I would feel much more comfortable with it if there was more proof.

CB

[MikeB]

Hi Guys-
To Conrad's point, quite a bit of the characters from about the 1 o'clock position, counter clock-wise to the 7 o'clock position look fairly similar. The stroke patterns on the other hand look good to me throughout the flag. Generally, stroke patterns will verifly whether a native speaker/writer executed the characters or not. Of course, a single person can execute many slogans and sign them with different names. How many names appear to be displayed on this flag? I am not saying this flag is not good, but I would want to more closely examine it prior to making a final determination. Mike

[Edokko]

Chako-san, the handwriting and contents, especially the poems, are correct so no question it's Japanese written, and the stroke hands are distinct enough that all signatures are most likely done by each different indivisual. Looks OK to me, but as with any flag they can never have a true hard evidence to be "absolutely genuine no question about it" level, but havng said that, I still think this yosegaki is OK.

Conrad-san, is this the same Conrad I met at the Cow Palace show today ?

Takehito

[Nick Komiya]

I also agree with Edokko that the content tips the scale in favor of this being a period piece. The content shows a fair amount of sophistication unlike the "Go get 'em, Tiger" type of writing which is so common. Also the quality of the caligraphy speaks of high class intellect contributing to a parting friend. Whether interpretation allows this flag to be called a Tokkotai flag is still an open issue, though.