{"product_id":"original-japanese-wwii-hand-painted-silk-good-luck-flag-with-lots-of-well-wishes-page-of-translations-28-x-30","title":"Original Japanese WWII Hand-Painted Silk Good Luck Flag with Lots of Well Wishes \u0026 Page of Translations - 28½ x 30”","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item. Only One Available. This is a great example of a Japanese Good Luck flag, with dozens of well wishes, with the largest at the top reading Loyalty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe flag measures roughly 28 ½ x 30” and retains its integral corner reinforcements, but they are missing their tie strings. The flag is in heavily flown and worn condition with heavy tearing across with some repairs in the center area. This example was likely a battlefield pickup and is very worn overall. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe flag comes with a page of 30 translations. Some of the well-wishes include \u003cstrong\u003e100 close combat battles with certain victory, Prayers for good health, Celebrating your enlistment in the Army, You are a Young Cherry Blossom, Bravery is Everything. \u003c\/strong\u003eOne in particular that is interesting reads \u003cstrong\u003eOff to the war in the skies\u003c\/strong\u003e, denoting that he must have been a pilot or air crewman. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOthers include\u003cstrong\u003e To off seven lives in service to the emperor\u003c\/strong\u003e, a slogan from the Samurai warlord Masashige Kusunoki from the battle of Minatogawa in July 1336. Then there is \u003cstrong\u003eOverwhelm and massacre the enemy, The islands of the Gods,\u003c\/strong\u003e a heroic name for Japan, \u003cstrong\u003eNever stop firing, \u003c\/strong\u003eand \u003cstrong\u003eBecome a shield to protect the empire.\u003c\/strong\u003e\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 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.\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":43579337572421,"sku":"ONSV25OKC073","price":495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV25OKC073__07.jpg?v=1757693266","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-japanese-wwii-hand-painted-silk-good-luck-flag-with-lots-of-well-wishes-page-of-translations-28-x-30","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}