Original Item. Only One Available. This is a heavily-worn example of a Japanese Good Luck flag, with the names of some of the local town executives signed to the departing soldier. There are also some well wishes including “Celebration of Courage” next to the name Mr. Masayuki Yoshida, likely the flag’s owner. This example is not translated and our translations are not going to be exact, so this flag will require more research. 

The large three Kanji characters at the top are likely a phrase, but it only translated as Ki Taisho. Requires some further research. 

The signatures in the bottom right corner include several local government positions including “Town Council Chairman Saito Yashima”, “Youth Team Chief Miyajima Jutaichi”, “Vice-Chief Tatsuta”, and “Yoshi Fukuchitani, Secretary”. Please note that these are photo translations and are not exact. A great research project.

The flag measures roughly 26 x 36” and retains the white leather corner reinforcements, though the tie strings are entirely gone.

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 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.

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