Japanese Bayonet Flag

[Aragorn243]

Kind of a spur of the moment purchase but figured it would look very nice hanging on one of my rifles.

It's a small silk flag, not as large as some. Nice rising sun, well defined. It has some faded Japanese characters all over it but not overwhelming it.

Some issues, it's been folded so it is creased. It also has some mild age staining.

I can live with both but am wondering if there is anything that could be done safely to correct either issue. If it's not safe, I'm not going to bother.

Information

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[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Very nice.How about steam for the creases. Oh btw thanks. Now I have somthing else I need to add to my collection. I have actually looked at ones on e-bay but was afraid of fakes.

[Aragorn243]

This came off ebay. If it's a fake, it's a good one. The one thing I learned to look for is reinforced corners. Now they aren't much, just sewn 45's about an inch off but I guess it holds the two end seams which gives it the strength. You can see it in the upper left. Both corners are done the same but the lower left doesn't show it in the photo. I expect these are fairly common as there are a lot of listings. Easy for a soldier to pick up and carry home. The silk is so fine they can be mailed in a standard envelope.

Another warning sign would be being too clean which is why I'm not real concerned with cleaning it.

Steam was one method I heard for silk. I don't know what effect it would have on the characters or the rising sun.

I researched them for a bit before taking a chance on this one. I'm happy with it.

[browningautorifle]

Nice, just as is...

[Patrick Chadwick]

That is not a rising sun (more properly: the sun with rays), but a sun disc. As used for the Japanese civil flag since 1999, but in use previously, the rayed sun having fallen into disrepute among neighboring countries who had suffered Japanese occupation. So how old is it?
Can someone please post a contemporary/ww2 photo showing the sun-disc flag in military use, to alleviate my doubts.

I apologise for being the professional sceptic here - "it's a lousy job, but someone has to do it" - but the last time I deciphered a supposed "Japanese unit flag" on this forum it turned out to be a banner from an ice-cream parlor !

Here too, I highly recommend getting the writing deciphered by someone who speaks Japanese before getting over-excited.

[muffett.2008]

So that's what that is.........I have an old tattered one in my bits box where I keep all the odd unknowns, mine is dirty and stained.

[Aragorn243]

Patrick,

Dozens of photos on the net showing the sun disc flag in use. Mostly captured examples with the victorious troops gathered around it. Here are a few period examples of the sun disc flag. These images are actually more common than those of the rising sun flag. Most descriptions don't list these as issued but as gifts from home, etc with well wishes and prayers for the safety or glory of the soldier on them. Probably kept in a pocket most of the time.













And finally, a flag very similar to the one above at Shanghai, 1937

[browningautorifle]

Pic #3 from the top, individual is lucky enough to have one of those scarce old revolvers the Japs had...you don't see many of those.

[Aragorn243]

It's from Wikopedia so be advised:

"During World War II in Japanese culture, it was a popular custom for friends, classmates, and relatives of a deploying soldier to sign a Hinomaru and present it to him. The flag was also used as a good luck charm and a prayer to wish the soldier back safely from battle. One term for this kind of charm is Hinomaru Yosegaki. One tradition is that any writing must not touch the sun disc. After battles, these flags were often captured or later found on deceased Japanese soldiers. While these flags became souvenirs, there has been a growing trend of sending the signed flags back to the descendants of the soldier."

The Hinomaru is the simple red disk on the white field and has been used by Japan since 1870.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Here is one my dad & his shipmates traded for, stole or won in a crap game.