Original Item: One-of-a-kind. This hand painted cloth flag, often referred to as "Banzai", and "Good Luck" Flags on the market today, as most are inscribed with such slogans. One of the top souvenirs among American GI’s who served in the Pacific Theater of Operations (PTO) during WWII was a Hinomaru flag such as this one. This particular flag was part of a small grouping of souvenirs that were purportedly brought home by a U.S. Army Soldier who served in the Pacific. Unfortunately, his identity and additional information has been lost to the ages.

It is also signed with the names of many friends and family, some radiating out from the center. The flag is constructed of silk, or a faux silk, such as rayon, an early faux silk semi-synthetic material made from wood. The red "sun" dyed into the middle. Flag is in very good condition and is the real deal: a genuine USGI "bring back"!

The flag itself has a few water stains and some splits where the paint / ink has degraded the fabric, as well as light overall age toning from being around 80 years old. The writing is still clearly legible, and this would make a fine display piece for a wall or glass table, or even a translation project. The flag still has some of the original corner ties intact, along with leather corner reinforcements.

Flag measures approximately 24" x 32".

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 is completely unique and is written in old KANJI. The writings are mainly Japanese names of this soldier's family and friends with quotes and phrases.