Can anyone translate this battle flag?

[keith]

[Nick Komiya]

This is a common fake with Tojo's signature on it. See here http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...highlight=tojo

[keith]

looks like I may have gotten ripped off

[keith]

I read the other thread about this-so were these actual WW2 Japanese flags that someone faked after the war? Is the writing fake only, or the whole flag?

[kaigunair]

I believe it is the 2nd from the right side, one of the larger signatures.

[keith]

I believe it is the 2nd from the right side, one of the large signatures.

Thanks

[keith]

looks like I may have gotten ripped off

When I bought this I was told this icon on the upper left hand corner commerated the taking of a Chinese village.
Was I lied to, or misinformed even about this?

[Nick Komiya]

These flags do not conform to proportions of a Japanese flag (the red orb is wrong), so it would be a total fake. I posted earlier what a real Tojo signature looks like so you can look it up. The photo is too small for me to read the red writing in the corner, but that is immaterial as the whole flag is a lie. The only point is whether it was a fak done by a GI or a recent fabrication. I'm beginning to believe these are recent fakes, as they are all in nice condition and seem to be available in endless supply done all in the same hand.

[MikeB]

Good Luck Flag

Keith-
Glad to see you on the Japanese Forum. I believe that these flags are modern fakes being produced somewhere by the same person too. Many are showing up overseas as well as here in the States. The internet is probably enabling them to be purchased and shipped everywhere. Like the flu, they are spreading! The stamp in the corner of your example has not been a common addition to these flags as of yet. Most seem to have two oval stamps of the same kind placed near the upper right and left corners. Those hanko appear to contain ideograms or characters. Many times the characters are obscured and difficult to read. Stamps (both fake and good) are easy enough to make or find and add a bit of flare to any "good" flag or fake. This one (stamp) has the particular look of a certain dealer discussed here on the Forum at other times, although I can't say that for sure. Nick has addressed the size of the orb for you too. Flags were supposed to follow specific dimensions when made, but in a few cases there may be good ones that don't, especially those that are hand made. Most Good Luck Flags will not have the tie strings at the top either. This seems to be a typical characteristic of this style of fake flag. Usually, the tie strings are of the same material/style too and are often uncut. They generally form a loop rather than two separate strings. MikeB

[keith]

Thanks-I'm a little put out that I got ripped off, but the truth is the truth.
I had no idea there was a fake market for these things......thanks to all for the input