{"product_id":"original-japanese-wwii-temple-stamped-hand-painted-silk-good-luck-flag-with-signatures-27-x-32","title":"Original Japanese WWII Temple-Stamped Hand-Painted Silk Good Luck Flag with Signatures - 27 ½ x 32”","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item. Only One Available. This is a very nice example of a Japanese Good Luck flag, with the signatures of either a friend or family member or the soldier who carried it, with one signature in the bottom right corner that appears to be a location, \u003cstrong\u003eIshido-machi, Hakata\u003c\/strong\u003e. The large well wish message over the sun appears to be a form of \u003cstrong\u003ePrayers for Eternal Good Fortune in War\u003c\/strong\u003e, with one added character that may change part of it. Below this is a great large Temple Stamp, a fantastic research project! It was likely located in Ishido-machi, Hakata.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe flag measures roughly\u003cstrong\u003e 27 ½ x 32”\u003c\/strong\u003e and retains both of its original corner reinforcements, which are leather. Both tie strings are gone, however. The flag is in heavily flown and worn condition with heavy creasing. This example was likely a battlefield pickup. There is some tearing along the folds in the sun, with staining along the top of the flag and some scattered tearing along the edge. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe name on the right translates to Katsuya Ozaki, possibly a friend or family member.\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":45100194824261,"sku":"ONAC25SD1305","price":395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONAC25SD1305__01.jpg?v=1780609666","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-japanese-wwii-temple-stamped-hand-painted-silk-good-luck-flag-with-signatures-27-x-32","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}