New(To Me) Hinomaru

[Geoff Ward]

Hope you all had a Great Thanksgiving! Just thought I'd share a pic over the weekend I picked this one up a while back. It has most of the standard traits and a little less typical layout. It has the leather corner reinforcements but the strings were missing. Overall still a nice flag. I am meeting with a fellow tomorrow to look at some more "Stuff" Wish me luck! G.

[Stu W]

Hi Geoff,

Nice flag with good eye appeal and visual balance.


Here's wishing you ...


LUCK


Regards,
Stu

[Geoff Ward]

Thanks Stu Thats a LOTTA LUCK!

[Geoff Ward]

OK I'm going cross eyed! I have been combing the slogans and translations thread and I am having a hard time locating these characters would someone mind helping me decipher these 4 on the top of the flag? Thanks,Geoff

[GHP]

義勇奉公
Giyū Hōkō
Patriotic Service

Literally:
義 - morality, righteousness, justice
勇 - bravery, courage, heroism
奉公 - service, apprenticeship, public duty

--Guy

[GHP]

Those four are surrounded by "Certain Victory"

必勝
Hisshō

So, it looks like this:

必義勇奉公勝

[Geoff Ward]

Thank you very much Guy! your help is always appreciated! G.

[GHP]

Right edge of flag:
武運長久
Buun chōkyū
[very clipped style of writing]

日本魂
Yamatodamashī
Japanese Soul

Left side of meatball:
一死報国
Isshi Hōkoku
One Death in Service to the Country
[Die For the Country]

--Guy

[Geoff Ward]

Thank you so much Guy! If the soldiers name appears on the flag would you mind translating it? I would like to know so I can put it on the back of the flag when I have it framed. after all it belonged to him and I respect that. Thanks, Geoff

[GHP]

Thank you so much Guy! If the soldiers name appears on the flag would you mind translating it? I would like to know so I can put it on the back of the flag when I have it framed. after all it belonged to him and I respect that. Thanks, Geoff

Geoff,

Sorry, but I couldn't figure out who the flag was presented to. Often there is a dedication, followed by the recipient's name suffixed with "kun" -- all very bold and easy to detect. However, I do not see any name that sticks out prominently enough to declare him the recipient. All the writing along the bottom are names of the people wishing whomever luck.

Nice flag.

--Guy

[GHP]

Signatories

Geoff,

So you won't go too crazy .... Here are the names, but surnames only -- it takes too much time for me to get the given names.

Right side of meatball "squiggle"
佐藤 Satō

Left side of meatball "squiggle"
宮本 Miyamoto

Bottom:
森 Mori
田中 Tanaka
菅野 Kanno
竹中 Takenaka
橋本 Miyamoto
宮下 Miyash!ta
三尾 Mitsuo
油谷 Yutani
[couldn't make this one out]
荒木 Araki
三木 Miki [man]
三木 Miki [woman] She wrote 全勝 Zenshō [total victory/clean sweep]
大岳 Ōtake


--Guy

[Geoff Ward]

Thanks Guy!I appreciate you.G.