{"product_id":"original-japanese-wwii-hand-painted-silk-good-luck-flag-with-many-signatures-28-x-35","title":"Original Japanese WWII Hand Painted Silk Good Luck Flag with Many Signatures - 28\" x 35\"","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: One-of-a-kind. Just purchased from a Pacific War collector at a military show! This hand painted cloth flag is marked with battle quotes, usually phrases such as \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"Banzai\"\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"Good Luck for Bravery\"\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e. As with most good luck flags, it is marked with\u003cstrong\u003e 久 長 運 武 祈\u003c\/strong\u003e along the right side going upward, which reads Bu un Chou kyu Inoru (\"A prayer that your military fortunes be long lasting.\")\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is also a multitude of different signatures and phrases on the flag, written radiating out from the center, so they appear upside down or sideways. There are various different handwriting styles visible, so this was definitely done by multiple people. We can even see some \"grass writing\" style Japanese cursive being used.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe flag measures approximately 28\" x 35\", and looks to be made of fine silk cloth, with has an unmistakable feel and look. It has a red \"sun\" made from a piece of red rayon sewn into the middle, and the flag is in very good condition. This is the real deal: a genuine USGI \"bring back\"!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe flag itself has some water stains and small tears, as well as overall age toning. The writing is still quite legible, and this would make a fine display piece for a wall or glass table, or a translation project. The flag still retains the original gray corner reinforcements, which look to be pressed paper, and these have red hanging ties attached. The flag has mostly torn through by the upper reinforcement, which has pin holes in it from being hung up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReady to display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Good Luck Flag, known as \u003cem\u003ehinomaru yosegaki\u003c\/em\u003e (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":40164315332677,"sku":"ONJR22MSJ027","price":495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/products\/ONJR22MSJ027__01.jpg?v=1656486580","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-japanese-wwii-hand-painted-silk-good-luck-flag-with-many-signatures-28-x-35","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}