Help needed with an interesting signed flag

[Paul G]

Here is an interesting looking signed flag, yosegaki hinomaru. I am wondering if anyone here can help me translate what is written on it. Of special interest to me is the little design scribble under the Kanji on the left. Is it possibly a Kao? Thanks for your input!

PG-

[Paul G]

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[Paul G]

,,,

[Paul G]

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[Paul G]

I have made a reference to the character of particular interest. Thanks

PG-

[Paul G]

Here is what I was able to translate so far.

PG-

[Papa Nambu]

Of special interest to me is the little design scribble under the Kanji on the left. Is it possibly a Kao? Thanks for your input!

It is. And the the middle line is a date (Showa 6 I think) The kanji for "father" 父 is on the far left line. I don't have time to pick at it right this moment.

[Paul G]

Thanks Papa! Thanks to one your recent threads, and to Nick Komiya's thread, I was pretty sure thats what it was. It sure will be interesting to see what this one says. Thanks again,

PG-

[GHP]

維時 昭和 拾六年 拾弐目 八日
Binding Times, Showa 16 year, 12 Month, 8th Day

[?]... 英米 宣戦告 吉ノ日
[?]... Ei-Bei sensen-fukoku kichi-no-nichi
[?]... English & American Declaration of War, [on] A Lucky Day

父書之 [with "kao" signature]
Chichi kaku kore [wo]
FATHER wrote [this]
[Kaoh]

The "kaoh" (花押) is an art signature, sometimes called "kakihan"
For examples, see: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...3%81%A7%29.png

=======
The old kanji for numbers is still used today, especially when writing rank diplomas (2nd Rank, 3rd Rank) or checks/cheques. For instance, the number 弐 (2) cannot be modified; whereas 二 (2) can be modified to "3" with the addition of one stroke: 二 plus 一 equals三

1 一 . 壱
2 二 . 弐
3 三 . 参
4 四 . 肆 [no longer used]
5 五 . 伍 [no longer used]
6 六 . 陸 [no longer used]
7 七 . 柒 or 漆 [no longer used]
8 八 . 捌 [no longer used]
9 九 . 玖 [no longer used]
10 十 . 拾

Regards,
--Guy Power

[Paul G]

Thanks Mr.Guy Power! I appreciate your help on this one. So, it looks like this flag was dedicated / signed / presented on the day the Japanese forces attacked Pearl harbor. On the day of the declaration of war / Pearl harbor attack, the date in Japan was actualy December 8th, 1941. Nice

PG-

[GHP]

Hi Paul,

Yes! Our "December 7th" was their "December 8th"; and Showa 16 is 1941. It would be interesting to know who the father is. Not everybody used/uses a "kao" -- those who are calligraphers and artists, etc.

Regards,
--Guy