Estate Sale Good Luck Flag

[Wolf11B]

I have not seen a flag like this, the story behind it is that it was captured during the war in 1945 and the 1945 was added by a captured Japanese POW. Came from an estate along with other items, was given a choice to buy but not sure. This flag kind of seems to good to be true but want to get other opinions. Still waiting on more information from the family will give an update when I receive the information.

[Wolf11B]

2

[Wolf11B]

3

[GHP]

萬々歳
Ban-Banzai
10,000 x 10,000 Lives
Banzai {Long Live!} means "10,000 Lives." Here, the author is multiplying that cheer. Perhaps he was leaving soon. 々 is a repetition marker used instead of writing the kanji twice; the sound is repeated.

日来親善
Jitsurai Shinzen
Normal Friendship
The first two kanji are a mixture of Always/Usual/Ordinary
The last two kanji mean friendship/goodwill

1945 於長崎青石書
1945 Oite Nagasaki Ao'ishi Kaki
1945 at Nagasaka, brushed by Ao'ishi [Green Stone]

[金石文]
Kaneishi bun
"Kane'Ishi Composition"
Apparently his "gako-in" Art Name. This seal, often a is normally placed on the beginning side of the composition. Note this is "Goldstone" whereas his art name is "blue/green stone"

[杉本正印]
Sugimoto Tadashi [no] In
Seal of Sugimoto Tadashi [his true name]

[青石]
Ao'ishi

--Guy

[GeorgeP]

As always, great translations, Guy. I feel, however, that the right vertical kanji have a different interpretation, fitting the theme of post war occupation:

日米

For Japan-US (goodwill)


Tom

[Wolf11B]

Thank you Guy and George, as always thanks for the help. Still waiting for more information on the flag, hopefully in the next few days I can give an update. Thanks again.

[GHP]

As always, great translations, Guy. I feel, however, that the right vertical kanji have a different interpretation, fitting the theme of post war occupation:

日米

For Japan-US (goodwill)


Tom

RATS!!!!!!
Thanks Tom, I was looking right at that and just didn't see the bei/rice portion.

I feel like a total idjit!

-Guy

[imperialjapan]

Occam's Razor principle may apply here.

I can imagine no situation where this would have been taken from a captured soldier--unless it was completely blank, and after capture, the soldier--who happened to be an accomplished calligrapher--signed the flag. Oh, and he happened to have his red stamps with him, too. The '1945' is obviously in a different hand.

More likely is this: Made years after the war for a US/Japan association. Then some crafty fellow decided to put the date on it to increase its value.

[GHP]

Occam's Razor principle may apply here.

I can imagine no situation where this would have been taken from a captured soldier--unless it was completely blank, and after capture, the soldier--who happened to be an accomplished calligrapher--signed the flag. Oh, and he happened to have his red stamps with him, too. The '1945' is obviously in a different hand.

More likely is this: Made years after the war for a US/Japan association. Then some crafty fellow decided to put the date on it to increase its value.

Hi Rich,

Yeah .... that ole Occam had quite a smooth shave, didn't he! I didn't notice how out-of-balance the "1945" made the writing; after your comment I took another look and, lo and behold: I agree.

(^__^)

--Guy