Original Item: Only One Available. The Rising Sun Flag design was originally used by feudal warlords in Japan during the Edo period. On May 15, 1870, as a policy of the Meiji government, it was adopted as the war flag of the Imperial Japanese Army, and on October 7, 1889, it was adopted as the naval ensign of the Imperial Japanese Navy.

The eight ray "Rising Sun" vice admiral flag and rear admiral flags were used from January 4, 1897 until end of World War II, with the vice admiral flag having a red border on the top, while the rear admiral flag had red borders at both the top and bottom. Previously between October 7, 1889 and January 4, 1897, all three grades of admirals used the same eight ray "Rising Sun" flag without any borders, after which it became the flag for a full admiral only.

Prior to this, the flag for the three grades of admirals had been a state flag with a red border from November 29, 1871 to October 7, 1889. This flag itself has previously been for a full admiral only for the short period of October 3, 1870 and November 29, 1871, when the vice and rear admirals used a similar flags with dark blue and yellow borders, respectively.

These flags were standard equipment on the larger capital ships, and were hoisted whenever a 海軍少将 (Kaigun-shōshō) was on board. This rank, translated as "Rear Admiral", was considered a "flag officer", which was any Navy officer of high enough rank to fly a flag from the location of their command. This also meant that the ships would need to keep a full set on board for ranks of 海軍少将 (Kaigun-shōshō) or Rear Admiral upwards, to match the rank.

This is a heavy canvas multi-piece construction Naval Rear Admiral rising sun flag that measures 34 inches high by 53 inches wide, offered in very good lightly used condition with a vibrant red color. There is some age fading and toning, as to be expected, but overall it presents well. There is just a bit of mothing, as well as some scattered staining. It has a canvas header along the hoist, which has a halyard rope on the inside, terminating in loops on each end. The stitching is sound and all seams are reinforced.

Included with the flat is a small packet containing some documents in Japanese, which look to be some type of award document, which we have unfortunately not been able to translate. They may be instructions on the proper use of the flag.

Rear Admiral flags from the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War Two are very hard to find, making this a great acquisition for any collection!