Original Item. Only One Available. This is a great example of a Japanese Good Luck flag, with the names of many band members of the military band the owner was part of. The largest well wish is at the right and reads Wish Buun Chokyu, (May Your Military Fortune be Long Lasting) and the soldier’s name is on the left of the flag, next to the instrument he plays in the band, Clarinet.

It appears that all names on the flag are members of the same military band. There is katakana next to the signatures, the musical instruments associated with each person who signed. Some of the instruments include Tenorhorn, Trumpet, Big Taiko, and Small Taiko (Taiko is the Japanese drum). The flag comes with a page of partial translations.

The flag measures roughly 28 x 39 ½” and retains both of its original corner reinforcements, which are leather. Both tie strings are retained as well. The flag is in heavily flown and worn condition with heavy creasing and some very minor tearing along the edges. This example was likely a battlefield pickup. The writing is still clear, however.

The flag is made of what appears to be rayon cloth, an early form of synthetic cloth made from wood, with the red "sun" dyed piece sewn into the middle. The flag is in great overall condition and is the real deal. The writing is still mostly legible, and this would make a fine display piece for a wall or glass table. These are getting harder and harder to find in any condition.

Ready to display!

The Good Luck Flag, known as hinomaru yosegaki (日の丸 寄せ書き) in the Japanese language, was a traditional gift for Japanese servicemen deployed during the military campaigns of the Empire of Japan, though most notably during World War II. The flag given to a soldier was a national flag signed by friends and family, often with short messages wishing the soldier victory, safety, and good luck.

The Japanese call their country's flag hinomaru, which translates literally to "sun-round", referencing the red circle on a white field. When the hinomaru was signed, the Japanese characters were usually written vertically, and radiated outward from the edge of the red circle. This practice is referenced in the second term, yosegaki, meaning "sideways-writing". The phrase hinomaru-yosegaki can be interpreted as "To write sideways around the red sun", describing the appearance of the signed flag. This particular example completely unique is written in old KANJI the writing are mainly Japanese names of this soldier's family and friends with quotes and phrases.