What is this... and translation... if possible

[helmetbuyers]

Anybody know what this is?

The son of a WWII vet said his dad brought it back from the war.

He was also hoping to get it translated..

Any help is appreciated... Thanks

[MikeB]

What is this....

I have no idea what it is but it looks like a small version of a grave marker. I have seen photos of much larger items that appear like this and they mark graves. Can't wait to see what our translators tell us about this one! Hope I am not too far off the ball on this...... Mike

[Nick Komiya]

Close enough, Mike.
It pains me to see this. This is called an "Ihai", a tablet to be placed on an alter to remember the dead. The alter is called a "Butsudan" in case of Buddhists and the family would burn incense and offer fruits or rice. A proper Buddhist tablet will not have the person's name in life, but a Buddhist name given after death. In case of "Shinto" it will have the person's name in life.
This one reads "The spirit of the deceased Yo****ada Kojima, Navy Leading Engineer 1st Class". The use of the full name in this case is either because it was field made or because he was shintoist or both. This should be given to the care of a temple or such to give it a proper resting place.
I'm currently in Japan at the New Fuji Racing Circuit for the F1 race this weekend. I'll be bringing back some Japanese items, I hope to share on the forum, once I return to Europe. That will include a real Tokko-signed flag.

[Nick Komiya]

I see the censor system did not accept the first name, which is Yos-h-i-t-a-d-a.

[MikeB]

What is this......

Nick-
Thanks for the translation (glad I was close to the mark!) Looking forward to seeing your items when you return from the race. Happy to see you are feeling better as well! Mike

[helmetbuyers]

I see the censor system did not accept the first name, which is Yos-h-i-t-a-d-a.

Hello Nick...

Thanks for the translation...

I passed it on to the seller. I will ask them to donate it to a shrine.

Best wishes.. Robert

[BryanD]

I believe a lot of these types of items were picked up on Okinawa when the US guys fought in and around the burial grounds and crypts there. The Japanese used the tombs for defensive positions. I do not think the Japanese cared about religious sensitivities of the local folks. I do not know if this is one of those pieces or not.
I have a large incense burner (big bowl) made of porcelene with a colbalt and light blue glaze probably 19th cenrury or earlier that was picked up in this area of Okinawa by a combat veteran who was a pack rat. He also married a gal from Kokura and had 4 sons by her. She knew exactly what it was and where it came from, it didn't bother her at all.

[Edokko]

I would think this memorial came off of the ship where Engineer 1st class Kojima served on when he died.
I agree this is one of those pieces which is best taken to a shrine and being cared for there with full respect to the deceased. It's almost like keeping someone's headstone marker or an urn, very different from keeping and owning an incense burner (which won't bother any Japanese).
Nick, can't wait to see what you picked up in Japan.