Navy Ministry flag - real or fake?

[NARVIK1940]

This is a wool flag with subtle discoloration. It's in great shape but is missing attachments. It's big - 4x6 ft approximately. I haven't blacklighted it yet but will tonight. Does the kanji look period or postwar? I can return it if it is suspect.

Thanks!

Scott

[NARVIK1940]

[NARVIK1940]

[NARVIK1940]

The seller claims this came out of the estate of a vet that was in the Phillippines.

[Rod G]

I think it's real. The Kanji say "Sea Army Department... Official approval". Call me a sucker but I believe the flag, the flag wouldn't lie.

The real question is probably; pre or post war?

Rod

[NARVIK1940]

Navy Ministry flag - real or fake?

I just put a black light on it. The material itself does not react or glow, but there scattered tiny random specs that glow, an effect that might be due to it coming in contact with detergent granules or something when it was stored.

[NARVIK1940]

Navy Ministry flag - real or fake?

It looks beautiful and well made. I'm confused by the lack of pole attachments. Someone on another forum thought the kanji was in postwar style, although this ministry or department did not exist after 1945 I'm told. Any opinions are welcome.

[Jareth]

I think it was just one of the complex kanji that was thought to be post war. Can you see cut off tie strings?

[NARVIK1940]

Navy Ministry flag - real or fake?

It looks like there was an attachment on one end that was carefully removed but I'm not sure. Looks like old needle marks on both ends. Hard to say. If they were removed it was done very carefully. Why would a flag not have attachments? Incomplete? Seems odd that a fake would lack attachment strings.

[GHP]

I'm no expert, but the kanji are correct:

海軍省
Kaigun-shō
Department of the Navy

検定
Kentei
Official certification; approval; inspection


--Guy

[NARVIK1940]

Navy Ministry flag - real or fake?

Thanks? Guy! Someone said the kanji could be postwar style. Can you tell?

[NARVIK1940]

Could this be unfinished wartime stock, since there are no attachment loops?

[NARVIK1940]

Apparently the kanji is authentic but the translation is slightly different. This flag was likely given as a prize for achieving naval certification, which may explain the lack of tie loops as it wasn't intended to be flown.