Japanese signed flag

[RodneyO]

Hi All,
Like to share my signed Japanese flag. Any opinions and translation welcome.
Thank you,
Rodney
Japanese flag.jpg

[maverick87]

On the right side it says: "Imperial Japanese Navy Banzai" and the "Banzai" part is written in pre-1945 kanji, also known as Kyujitai writing.

[RodneyO]

Thanks for the translation Maverick. An Imperial Japanese Navy Flag!! Is the sailor's name anywhere on the flag? If this is an IJN flag is harder to find then the IJA flags? Would this be an earlier flag?
Thanks again,
Rodney

[maverick87]

If you look at the right side of the flag, you will see "大日本帝國海軍" which means "Imperial Japanese Navy" followed by "萬歲" which means "banzai". I know it's "navy" because "海軍" means "navy" and "陸軍" means "army".

To the left of this column, you will see "武運長久" which means something like "May your military fortunes be long lasting". This is followed by "小副川" which means "Osoegawa" (which is the soldier's family name). This is followed by one more kanji which I can't read, which would be the soldier's given name. As you may know in Japanese, family names come before given names (the opposite of how we do it in the western world).

On the bottom written horizontally, you will see "一億一心". This means "One million minds". Maybe that means like a million spirits fighting or something.

And on the left side of the flag, there is another "武運長久" which again means, "May your military fortunes be long lasting".

Sorry I can't read much more. My kanji comprehension is very limited. I could ask my Japanese friend what they think. I think there may be a few more phrases there and names.

[RodneyO]

Thanks again Maverick, your Japanese is 100% better then mines!! Lived in Hawaii all my life and have almost zero% in Japanese......... Really thankful for all your help with the translation. Was amazed that the word Banzai was in Kyujitai style of writing (had to looked it up and it means "old character forms"), I would never had guess. I have a Kanji & Kana Handbook/Dictionary but many kanji's I can not find in the book.

[rabbit indy]

flag owner is japanese navy soldier Mr.Mitsuno.
In this flag, I can read message from his friends. "Do your best,my friend Mitsuno!!".
I think Mr. Mitsuno was dead in combat action.

rabbit indy

[RodneyO]

Hi rabbit indy,
Thanks for the extra translation. Would Mitsuno Osoegawa be his full name? How can you tell that Mitsuno died in combat?

Thank you,
Rodney

[rabbit indy]

flag owner's name is Mitsuno, but I don't know his first name.
There are several name, for example Osoegawa, Nonaka, Yoshioka, Moriki, Yamamoto, etc. All were Mr.Mitsuno's friends.
There are some blood stains on flag.
So I think Mr.Mitsuno was dead in combat action.

rabbit indy

[RodneyO]

Hi rabbit indy,
I did notice the staining when I first looked at and bought the flag, kind of morbid but I thought it was blood too. How were these Good Luck Flags carried into combat? Would it have been tied around the body or folded and put in their tunic's pocket or haversack?
How common is it to find an IJN signed flags vs IJA flags?

Thank you again and also for the extra names you've translated.
Rodney

Nice flag Rodney