Is this flag real? Translation?

[oreotsi]

I picked this up a few years ago, any chance of a translation on it?
Doesn't seem to have any of the typical Kanji on it.
Thanks!

[Stu W]

I've looked at this several times since you started the thread and am of the opinion that it's not authentic Japanese writing of any sort. However, there are some forms such as grass writing that are well beyond my ability to understand so please wait for either of Nick or Guy to comment. This will be a good lesson for me too regardless of the outcome.

Regards,
Stu

[oreotsi]

Stu,
Thanks for the reply. It's the only flag that I've seen and held in person and outside of my area of collecting. I just don't get a good feeling about it when compared to other flags online. Hopefully some of the other guys will chime in.
Gregg

[GHP]

The kanji is accurate and well done by a Japanese -- but I find it unusual.

Aha!!! This is why it is unusual:

[We NEEEEEED Nick to verify!]



祈武運長久川下四郎君
Ki Buun Chōkyū Kawash!ta Shirō-Kun
Wishes for Continued Fortunes of War, Mr. Kawash!ta Shirō



伯爵葉室直躬
Earl Hamuro Naomi

陸軍少尉石川 ...
Rikugun Shōi Ishikawa ...
Army 2nd LT Ishikawa

萬歳 ~~
Banzai ~~
I can't read the two kanji after banzai.

Hamuro's family was originally Fujiwara (IF I caught that correctly on another search); the Hamuro family were raised to the aristocracy in the Meiji era:

葉室直躬　

生没年：1895-1971
父：子爵 鍋島直柔
義父：伯爵 葉室長通
1933-1947　伯爵
賀茂御祖神社宮司
妻：葉室千鶴子（父：伯爵 葉室長通）
1922-　百合子（夫：烏丸智弘）
1925-　欣子（夫：大野良雄）
1927-2009　賴昭
1929-　公子（夫：黄朝福）
1931-　粟田口頼言（粟田口家へ）

Hamuro Naomi

Dates of birth and death: 1895-1971
Father: Viscount Nabeshima Naotō
Father-in-law: Earl Hamuro Nagamichi
1933-1947 Earl
Kamomiya Shrine chief priest
Wife: Hamuro Chizuko (father: Earl Hamuro Nagamichi)
[the following apparently are the children of the Earl and Chizuko]
1922- Yuriko (husband: Karasuma Tomohiro)
1925- Yoshiko (husband: Yoshio Ohno)
1927-2009 賴昭 [Hamuro] Yorimasa
1929- Kimiko (husband: Hwang ChaoFu) [Chinese husban's name means "Yellow, Morning-Luck"]
1931- Awadaguchi Yoriyukigen (to Awadaguchi house)

---Guy

[Stu W]

Thanks for that Guy. I'm pleased I was incorrect as it means a better outcome for Gregg. Aside from the Ki Buun Chokyu, which I suspected was copied, I thought the rest was gibberish. As you know I'm more at home reviewing the kanji on a nakago and some of the time I can get by on flags but this one really fooled me. It's a much more fluid style than what I'm used to seeing if you know what I mean. Again, thanks, it's good to have you here assisting us.

Regards,
Stu

[Nick Komiya]

Yes, it is writing with a lot of character, but still legitimate. The general signing was major-general Fusazo Ishikawa. Here a brief CV. in English http://www.generals.dk/general/Ishik...%8D/Japan.html

[GHP]

Yes, it is writing with a lot of character, but still legitimate. The general signing was major-general Fusazo Ishikawa. Here a brief CV. in English http://www.generals.dk/general/Ishik...%8D/Japan.html

Wow! So I messed that up! Didn't look like 少将 [Shōshō - major general] to me ...

Thanks Nick! Hope your recovery continues at a fast pace.

--Guy

[oreotsi]

Thank you to everyone who has replied!
I never expected to get this much information from the flag.
A few more questions if you don't mind.
Guy- when it says 1933-1947 Earl, what is that referring to?

As is common with these flags he would have received it before going off to fight, correct? Is there any way to find out when he might have left and where he fought?

Thanks again for helping translate the flag, it's one of the only pieces of Japanese militaria I have and I find it extremely interesting.

[Nick Komiya]

Those were the years he had the title of Earl. In May 1947, with the promulgation of the current Constitution of Japan, Article 14 assuring equality of all under law renounced all aristocratic privileges and thus he lost his title.

[GHP]

...Is there any way to find out when he might have left and where he fought?

http://admiral3166.ddo.jp/31page/a/px16.htm#m006
石川 房三 いしかわ ふさぞう 愛知 陸士16期 歩兵
Ishikawa, Fusazo Aichi Prefecture Graduating Class 16, Army

発令日 階級 その他身分 補職／任官
昭 2(1927). 7.26 　 　 皇族附武官（守正王附）
昭 4(1929). 8. 1 陸軍歩兵大佐 　 　
昭 7(1932). 8. 1 　 　 福岡聯隊区司令官
昭 9(1934). 3. 5 陸軍少将 　 待命
昭 9(1934). 3.16 予備役 　 　
=======

Ishikawa Fusazō / Aichi Prefecture / 16th Graduating Class / Infantry

Issued Date class other identification Hoshoku / commission
Shōwa 2 (1927). 7.26 Royalty -Military officer (Attached to Prince Morimasa)
[this guy:]

Prince Nashimoto no Miya Morimasa-ō<sup class="t_nihongo_help noprint"></sup>
Shōwa 4 (1929). 8.1 Army infantry colonel
Shōwa 7 (1932). 8.1 Fukuoka Regiment, District Commander
Shōwa 9 (1934). 3.5 Army Maj. Gen., Awaiting Orders
Shōwa 9 (1934). 3.16 Reserves


--Guy