{"product_id":"original-japanese-wwii-hand-painted-silk-good-luck-flag-from-japanese-pilot-with-lots-of-signatures-sheet-of-translations-29-x-40","title":"Original Japanese WWII Hand-Painted Silk Good Luck Flag From Japanese Pilot with Lots of Signatures \u0026 Sheet of Translations - 29” x 40”","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item. Only One Available. This is a tremendous example of a Japanese Good Luck flag, with the names of dozens of Japanese friends and family of the departing soldier. This hand painted cloth flag is marked with battle quotes such as \"Courage \u0026amp; Valor\", and \"Off to War! Remember the Spirit of Bushido\". This example has a sheet with some translations, including one that reads \u003cstrong\u003eGo out and defend our skies\u003c\/strong\u003e, which suggests the soldier was a pilot. Also translated is\u003cstrong\u003e Celebrating your enlistment in the army in the Imperial Year 2601 (1941)\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe flag measures roughly \u003cstrong\u003e29\" x 40”\u003c\/strong\u003e, and has been folded several times over the years, The leather tabs are weak but both retained with their strings. There are several smallish holes across the flag, with one very large tear from the middle bottom up into the sun. 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. Flag is in very good condition and is the real deal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe writing is still mostly legible, and this would make a fine display piece for a wall or glass table. The included translations are fantastic and really cut out much of the legwork! These are getting harder and harder to find in any condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReady to display!\u003cbr\u003e\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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42118001688645,"sku":"ONSV24OFS226","price":495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV24OFS226__01.jpg?v=1731728074","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-japanese-wwii-hand-painted-silk-good-luck-flag-from-japanese-pilot-with-lots-of-signatures-sheet-of-translations-29-x-40","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}