Strange box…for ashes?

[coloradocowboy]

Someone contacted me on this. Can someone help with translation and give me an idea of what this might be for. To me, looks like a cremation box

[coloradocowboy]

2

[GHP]

Yes, the box probably contained the bones/ashes of the fallen -- especially if the 位牌 ihai ["ee-hai"] was with it. The ihai (memorial tablet) usually has a Buddhist name given to the deceased -- at least in civilian practice that I have personal knowledge of. This ihai merely states the date the service man was killed:

昭和十八年五月十七日戦死
Shōwa jū hachi-nen gogatsu jū nana-nichi senshi
Killed 17 May (or Feb), 1943

I can't clearly read the month ... it's either a squished 五 (5 - May) or a 二 (2- February).

Here's what a modern ihai looks like (found on the web)



--Guy

[coloradocowboy]

you are amazing. Thanks

[GHP]

you are amazing. Thanks

Soooo .... is it a 五 or 二, or some other number?



Thanks!
--Guy

[coloradocowboy]

I will ask. I don't have it in hand. Thanks again.

Soooo .... is it a 五 or 二, or some other number?



Thanks!
--Guy

[Bob Coleman]

A sad relic from the past. One must wonder if some GI dumped the contents just keep the box. He was someone's son, husband father. Not a fitting end to this soldier's karma.
A similar incident: http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/japane...-owikawa-9088/

[Ludwig-K]

In the box there might be an urn which contains the ash. Not sure if it contains the ash directly.

Ludwig

[coloradocowboy]

Persistance paid off. The Vet's family finally sold to me and the box was included.

[coloradocowboy]

q

[imperialjapan]

The other side reads 'Deceased. Army Soldier 1st Class Yonezawa Tsuneo's Spirit.'
「故。陸軍一等兵米澤常雄の霊。」

And Guy was correct--the month is May.

[coloradocowboy]

The other side reads 'Deceased. Army Soldier 1st Class Yonezawa Tsuneo's Spirit.'
「故。陸軍一等兵米澤常雄の霊。」

And Guy was correct--the month is May.

Thank you for your help. A very sad memorial

[Bob Coleman]

In the box there might be an urn which contains the ash. Not sure if it contains the ash directly.

Ludwig

The box I returned to the family contained only ash, small bone fragments and two letters from his company and regiment commanders. It was identical to this box except the rough cloth covering. These were prepared for return to Japan and likely the storage location was over run before they could be shipped back.