{"product_id":"original-japanese-wwii-hand-painted-good-luck-flag-signed-by-osaka-prefecture-market-police-chief-28-x-33","title":"Original Japanese WWII Hand Painted Good Luck Flag Signed by Osaka Prefecture Market Police Chief - 28 ½ x 33”","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item. Only One Available. This is a great example of a Japanese Good Luck flag, with the well-wishes of dozens of several friends and family of the departing soldier. The largest at the top reads Wish Buun Chokyu, (May Your Military Fortune be Long Lasting) and the soldier’s name is on the right of the flag.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnder the soldier’s name is the signature “\u003cstrong\u003eOsaka Prefecture Market Police Chief\u003c\/strong\u003e”, followed by several red stamps. There is a small page of partial translations describing the top slogan and the police chief signature. It also notes that there are “Blood stains” in various areas across the flag. While there are several stains colored the way blood would be colored aged to this date, we cannot confirm that this is the case.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe flag measures roughly\u003cstrong\u003e 28 ½ x 33”\u003c\/strong\u003e and retains both of its original corner reinforcements, which are leather. Both tie strings are retained as well. The flag is in heavily flown and worn condition with heavy creasing and some very minor tearing along the edges. This example was likely a battlefield pickup. The writing is still clear, however.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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 great overall 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReady to display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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 completely unique is written in old KANJI the writing are mainly Japanese names of this soldier's family and friends with quotes and phrases.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45011523731525,"sku":"ONSV26GCS060","price":495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV26GCS060__02.jpg?v=1778785518","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-japanese-wwii-hand-painted-good-luck-flag-signed-by-osaka-prefecture-market-police-chief-28-x-33","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}