Japanese soldier banner.

[lokomilo]

Hello,

Here is a Japanese soldier banner ww2.

[MikeB]

Banner

This appears to be a fairly common off-to-war banner. There were some interesting artwork panels across the top of most nobori, although some lacked art and simply listed the name of the fellow entering service and/or the presenter/presenting organization. This one displays one of the more common art themes at the top. I enjoy nobori, however, they are collected on a rather limited basis by most people, probably because of the amount of space they take up during hanging- some being over 20 feet long. What is the length of your banner?

MikeB

[lokomilo]

Thank you for your help.

It measures 85 cm long, 33 inch (approximately)

[GHP]

Yes, it is for his enlistment.

森本幹夫
Morimoto Mikio

東京 森本貞子
Tōkyō Morimoto Sadako

Possibly his wife. Don't know why Tōkyō is highlighten in red.

--Guy

[lokomilo]

Thank you again for your help.

[MikeB]

Banner

Nobori/Banners had a few different themes or dedication contexts: some were presented to "soldiers going off to war", while others were dedicated to soldiers "on your enlistment". There were other similar, related presentations. Additionally, there were also banners that physically look like your banner but were given upon a soldier's "triumphant return". This type is rarer, although they are out there. A more difficult to find banner is the funeral type of banner. Normally these banners lack any form of art, although I have seen one that has blue/green colored dragons across the top. They usually have a white background or field and are out lined in black. Others are done as simple white "bedsheet" style banners. The characters on these will normally give the name of the deceased and say that he was killed/deceased. Sometimes they provide the unit designation of the deceased as well. It is my understanding that these were usually destroyed following the funeral service. My Japanese friends have told me that just looking at them gives them the "heebee jeebees".
Your banner at almost 33 inches is a nice displayable size. That length of banner would normally be attached to a small hand-held wooden pole with a gold painted round finial on the top. I have seen photos that show the military man holding the smaller banners. He might also be holding an additional flag pole with his good luck flag on it. Often he is accompanied by friends or family in the photograph. If numerous banners have been given to him, you might then see younger children proudly holding the small nobori while the larger ones, if present, are held on long poles by adults.
Other common banner art themes show crossed Japanese national flag and battle flag, while others display the Golden Kite in many forms across the top. Thank you again for showing the banner.

MikeB

[lokomilo]

Thank you for all those informations.

[grimnar]

I can't improve on Mike's excellent summary so here is a photo of all different sized nobori for this recruit's enlistment. Interestingly the photo seems to have been taken in some sort of parking lot. Foreground sign says, Automobile entrance No3. The logo's on the fence look familiar but I just can't seem to place them at the moment.




Regards,
Matt

[GHP]

...The logo's on the fence look familiar but I just can't seem to place them at the moment.

Sort of reminds me of this:





--Guy

[GHP]

Re: "The logos on the fence"

Seriously, though ... it's either a municipal or company "wappen" [Japan borrowed the German term for coat-of-arms, applying it to corporate symbols, etc.] comprising two pine needles in compass. I can't find it but for reference, here's a couple of family mon: one with with three pine needles and the other with two:




--Guy

[MikeB]

Banner

That is a great photo that you posted Grimnar. It does indeed show just about every length of nobori, including some very short sized ones hanging on the fence behind the recruit to his right. In addition, there is a hinomaru yosegaki hanging on the fence to the recruit's left. You might also notice from the photograph that the man being honored is shown standing upon a "soap box" or elevated platform, out in front of the assembled group, where he is receiving rousing honors for his impending service. This kind of celebration would be carried out (to a greater or lesser extent) during the War almost daily as men would be honored by their friends, families and co-workers. If this were a company sponsored celebration, the man's boss or supervisor might typically make a speech that would honor the man departing. He would be reminded that it was a great honor to be going off to fight for the Emperor/nation. Afterwards, the new recruit might also give a speech where he would thank the assembled group and let them know that he would not let them down, etc. Depending upon the timing of the celebration and the distance, the recruit might then be paraded off to an awaiting train or ship where other newly enlisted or drafted men from his area were also leaving. If it were possible, many of the nobori would be carried along the route with the man as he was sent-off to War- his name prominently displayed upon the front of the colorful banner. It was also typical for the man to hold a good luck flag from a wooden pole as he walked along the roadway or to display his flag by folding it and wrapping it cross-wise across his chest.

MikeB