{"product_id":"original-japanese-wwii-flag-banner-with-temple-stamps-if-you-contemplate-the-power-of-avalokiteshvara-all-enemies-and-malice-will-completely-disperse-12-x-35","title":"Original Japanese WWII Flag Banner with Temple Stamps - “If you contemplate the power of Avalokiteshvara, all enemies and malice will completely disperse” - 12 x 35”","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an interesting original Japanese WWII \u003cb\u003ehinomaru Buddhist prayer or good-luck banner\u003c\/b\u003e, measuring approximately \u003cb\u003e12 x 35 inches\u003c\/b\u003e and retaining several Buddhist inscriptions and three temple-style seals. Its narrow vertical format distinguishes it from the more familiar square or rectangular yosegaki hinomaru flags covered with signatures from family, friends, and coworkers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe most important inscription appears around the central sun and is drawn from \u003cb\u003eChapter 25 of the Lotus Sutra\u003c\/b\u003e, the section devoted to \u003cb\u003eAvalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, known in Japan as Kannon\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe relevant passage reads:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e怖畏軍陣中\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e念彼観音力\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e衆怨悉退散\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA close translation is:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e“When in fear amid the ranks of battle, if one contemplates the power of Avalokiteshvara, all enemies will completely disperse.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe key phrase \u003cb\u003e念彼観音力\u003c\/b\u003e, read in Japanese Buddhist usage as \u003ci\u003enenpi Kannon riki\u003c\/i\u003e, means \u003cb\u003e“contemplate the power of Kannon.”\u003c\/b\u003e It is repeated throughout the twenty-fifth chapter of the Lotus Sutra in passages describing protection from fire, weapons, attackers, imprisonment, dangerous animals, storms, and other threats.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe complete military-context verse is especially appropriate to a wartime prayer banner because it specifically refers to fear \u003cb\u003e“amid the ranks of battle”\u003c\/b\u003e and concludes that hostile forces will disperse through contemplation of Kannon’s power. Japanese Buddhist sources preserve essentially this same wording, \u003cb\u003e念彼観音力　衆怨悉退散\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRather than functioning simply as a patriotic slogan, the inscription reflects a longstanding Buddhist devotional tradition in which \u003cb\u003eKannon was invoked for protection in moments of danger\u003c\/b\u003e. The verse is therefore particularly meaningful on a wartime banner intended to accompany, protect, or spiritually support a serviceman.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are three temple stamps that we were unable to identify. There is a signature line that we could not translate, and several other small inscriptions that are good research projects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example is particularly noteworthy for the combination of its \u003cb\u003ehinomaru design, three temple-style seals, unusual vertical banner format, and direct quotation from the Kannon chapter of the Lotus Sutra referring specifically to danger in battle\u003c\/b\u003e. The untranslated seals and subsidiary inscriptions offer a strong opportunity for further research into the banner’s exact religious and personal associations.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45890827288645,"sku":"ONJR25AUCC237","price":395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR25AUCC237__01.jpg?v=1790629558","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-japanese-wwii-flag-banner-with-temple-stamps-if-you-contemplate-the-power-of-avalokiteshvara-all-enemies-and-malice-will-completely-disperse-12-x-35","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}