Original Item: One-of-a-kind. Original Item: One-of-a-kind. Just purchased from a large military auction. This hand painted cloth flag is marked with battle quotes such as "Banzai", and "Good Luck for Bravery". It has a LOT of writing on it in various different styles, so this was definitely done by many people. It is most likely signed with the names of many friends and family, along with messages. Some of the writing is in semi-cursive gyōsho (行書), and other parts are in the very flowing sōsho (草書 - cursive) style, which is the most stylized of all types of Japanese calligraphy. This unfortunately makes some parts of it quite hard to read. There are several larger Kanji across the top, which look to read 公奉勇 ?, which is a reference to service and bravery.

The flag measures approximately 28”x 38”, and is made of what appears to be actual silk cloth, which has a characteristic feel that only silk does, with the red "sun" dyed into the middle. It is possible that it is rayon, but it definitely feels like silk, and has that characteristic look to it. Overall the flag is in good condition and is the real deal: a genuine USGI "bring back"!

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 no longer has the original corner ties intact, and the original rayon corner reinforcements are quite frayed.

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.