Another Challenging Yosegaki from Aitape

[blinky]

Any assistance on any of the writing on this flag would be very much appreciated. It's hard to read but I've included several photographs that should cover any of the legible writing. It is badly damaged, the edges had been cut off, I suspect so that it could fit into a smaller frame (done by the veteran).

I've known the story of this flag from the American side for many years. It was in the possession of the soldier who had taken it on August 24, 1944, during the battle for Aitape....the veteran had written a bit about this particular "incident" and this flag held a special significance to his until his death when it was passed on to his son. It would be nice now to know a little bit about it from the Japanese side.

Eric

[blinky]

from upper right, clockwise

[blinky]

some pictures are repeated, the glare from the glass made some writing difficult to see

[blinky]

a

[blinky]

b

[blinky]

c

[blinky]

d

[blinky]

e

[Paul G]

Nice flag! I don't read Kanji, but have a pretty good understanding of the way Hinomaru Yosegaki are written and can pick out some common kanji and slogans. The flag seems to have both slogans and names written upon it. In the upper right corner circled in blue looks like the last character of the name as well as the Kanji Kun, for the young man the flag was presented to. The rest seems to have been cut off the flag. In the lower right, circled in lime green is the slogan, Ki Buun Chou Kyuu, or everlasting fortune in battle. There are well wishers names as well as other slogans, that I cannot identify easily.

PG-

[GHP]

Other than a bunch of names that I will not translate (no reason to), there are a few slogans. I did add one name, but that was because he identified as an officer.

Top cut-off portion:
必勝
Certain Victory
I can barely make out the bottom 1/5 of the kanji and recognize them.


Right:
Circled in blue by Paul G (thanks!) ... I can only read that last kanji
...君
kimi/kun

泉谷中尉
Izumiya chūi
1st Lieutenant Izumiya

敢闘を祈
Pray for Fighting Spirit


Left:
Circled in yellow by Paul G (thanks!)
祈武運長久
Ki Buun Choukyuu
Prayer for Eternal Fortune On the Battlefield


良い男
Yoi Otoko
Good Man!

た十い八で飲んだ男
The Man who drank at た十い八 [That can't be correct! But that's what my eyes see!!]

Edited to add:
一月を三日春する
Ichigatsu o mikka haru suru
Spring time on the third of January
That's .... interesting! Poetically saying 3 January [no year given] was [or will] like be like Spring for some reason ... upcoming/past graduation? Deployment????

祈健康
Prayer for Health

一意專心
with singleness of purpose [mind, heart]

魂
Tamashii
SOUL


神兵
A Soldier Under the Protection of the Gods [literally: Godly Soldier]

Yes, there is a slogan or two that I didn't bother with ... it would take too much time for me.



As always, I am open to correction.
--Guy

[Paul G]

As a collector whose primary interest are signed flags, I would like to say: Thanks Guy! It amazing what your eyes can see and your mind can translate / understand

PG-

[GHP]

As a collector whose primary interest are signed flags, I would like to say: Thanks Guy! It amazing what your eyes can see and your mind can translate / understand

PG-

Thanks Paul,

Glad to help when I can.


--Guy

[chen]

.

[blinky]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate your time!
I didn't expect a complete translation, just more or less wondering if anything stood out like a town or an organization so what's been done has been great!

Eric

[Striking 9th]

That's a hardcore flag. Thanks for posting.