Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice original Imperial Japanese WWII Army Rising Sun war flag, featuring a centered red sun with 16 radiating rays. The centered design identifies it as the Imperial Japanese Army pattern, while the Imperial Japanese Navy used a closely related ensign with the sun positioned toward the hoist.

The Rising Sun war flag, known as the Kyokujitsu-ki, was officially adopted for the Imperial Japanese Army in 1870 and remained in use through the end of WWII. Its bold sunburst design became one of the most recognizable symbols associated with the Japanese military during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

This example measures approximately 25" by 32" and is made from a very fine, lightweight fabric that appears to be rayon. The exact fiber content has not been tested. The red sun and rays are dyed or printed directly into the material, creating a strong one-piece design.

Both original thin, cheesecloth-style corner reinforcements remain attached along the hoist edge. These reinforcements have become weak and fragile with age but still retain their original tie strings, a desirable feature often missing from surviving examples.

The flag remains in very good overall condition. It shows substantial age toning and discoloration from decades of storage, together with scattered small tears and minor fabric weakness. The colors remain clearly visible, and the full Rising Sun design presents very well.

The flag would benefit from careful conservation framing to support the fragile fabric and corner reinforcements. It should not be placed under tension or hung solely from the original tie strings.

Although flags of this type were frequently brought home as wartime souvenirs by Allied servicemen, no documented capture or bring-back history accompanies this example. Its original wartime ownership and method of return from Japan or the Pacific Theater therefore remain unknown.

With its desirable centered Army pattern, complete sunburst design, original corner reinforcements, surviving tie strings, and impressive age-toned appearance, this is an attractive original Imperial Japanese WWII flag that would make an excellent framed display.