Bring back flag with names blacked out

[Paul G]

Hello everyone,
Here is a flag that has me asking myself a couple of questions. This flag was reportedly captured in combat and brought back by a US soldier. I have seen blacked out names on flags before and never really gave it much thought. However, this flag seems to have way more than I have seen before on a single flag. Does anyone have any thoughts on why this was done? Censorship? Maybe a family memeber, or a soldiers unit member put information on the flag that was forbidden? Was it done to protect the "honor" of certain names if a soldier was going on a mission that was certain to be a suicide mission, where the flag would be taken? What are your thoughts? Thanks for your input.

PG-

[Stu W]

Hi Paul,

I really don't know but wonder if the blacked out portions are names of fallen comrades?

Regards,
Stu

[GHP]

Meshima

The flag is from 女島Meshima (Girl Island) -- my first reading was "Onna-shima", but an on-line search (and my wife!) say it's pronounced Mehshima.

At the flag's 5 o'clock position:

御武運長久をお祈り申し居ります
女島校 [name excised]
Go Bu Ren no Choukyo wo Oinori moshi irimasu.
Meshima Kou xxxxxxxx

We humbly continue to pray for the continued luck in the fortunes of war.
Meshima School xxxxx

[GHP]

At the 6 o'clock position.

This is not only a name, but also part of a nationalistic axiom that is excised.

必勝米英 [?戦争?]
[stricken] [stricken]
Hisshou Bei-Ei
Total victory over America & England [illegible - War???]
[stricken] [stricken]

[Nick Komiya]

Ｔｈｉｓ was signed by the inhabitants of Meshima Island, written Woman Island. But Japan has 11 islands of that name, so that doesn't tell the definite location.
I don't think the names were erased during war time. Probably done to appease a souvenir-hunter GI after the war but by keeping the innocent neighbors out of the picture.

[Paul G]

Thanks everyone for your input! Nick, what you are saying makes sense.

PG-

[keith]

Man it always makes me really appreciate this site when translators come on and help out! Thanks for what you guys do!

[Nick Komiya]

Keith, I know you mean well, but I would appreciate it, if you would not count me among your translators in future, as I happen to greatly resent that label. We are just collectors that know the value of linguistic skills; that's all. I don't want to be given a title that represents a function I am expected to serve, and "Let it be your own learned words that get heard, not those of someone else that you merely parrot as a translator" are my father's words that I grew up with. I have defied many of his lectures, but that is one I have taken to heart.

[pantera123]

keith

Keith,
I would post your translation questions on the "other" forum. Much more inviting over there.