Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent original Japanese WWII yosegaki hinomaru, or signed “Good Luck Flag,” measuring approximately 27 x 34 inches and covered with numerous handwritten Japanese inscriptions. Flags of this type were commonly presented to departing Japanese servicemen by relatives, friends, coworkers, classmates, and members of their local community as personal expressions of encouragement and good fortune.

The flag measures roughly 27 x 34” and retains both of its original corner reinforcements, which are leather and in good shape. Both reinforcements retain their tie string. The flag is in heavily flown and worn condition with heavy creasing and some small tears, some staining, and pulling. The writing is still legible with some areas of fading. This would look amazing framed.

Some of the names we could translate include Higa Shitsuko, Takashi Chobon, Matsuba Shinmasa, Gikichi Oshiro, Gento Nagata, Shikio Ojo, Yamashiro Yotoku, Toyonobu Nakamura, Hikojiro Tamaki, Hankichi Onamine, Yasuo Kamiyama, and Tokuyama Moriyoshi. These were translated using a visual translator, so these may not be exact.

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 fair but rough 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.

The combination of the numerous original handwritten signatures and inscriptions, sewn central Hinomaru, surviving reinforced corners and ties, substantial wartime wear, and large 27 x 34-inch format makes this a particularly evocative example of the Japanese yosegaki hinomaru tradition.

Beyond its visual appeal, the surviving inscriptions offer significant potential for additional research, as a complete translation may reveal the identity of the recipient and the community of people who presented the flag to him before military service.