OBON 2015: Return of Japanese Flags

[AnDuc49]

I've heard about this group and how they've been returning stuff to Japan, but has anybody on the forum actually dealt with them before? If you have, how was the expirence?

[Patchcollector]

For anyone unaware of this "project"(myself included!),here is a link to more info:

 

http://www.obon2015.com/english/

[AnDuc49]

Thanks patch collector! I didn't think of it.

[gwb123]

Although not a specific US topic, we'll allow this in our Spoils of War section in case someone has one to donate.

[vintageproductions]

There are a few different organizations that do this.

 

A few years ago there was a special on NHK TV in Japan about people trying to return flags to families. It showed the ministry of health building with boxes and boxes of flags just in storage that they can't do anything with.

[Wharfmaster]

The Japanese soldiers that carried these flags killed many thousands of people ( without remorse ) from Hawaii to the West, China to the North, Australia to the South and Burma-India to the East.

 

Think about it.

 

 

W

[vintageproductions]

And we killed just as many as them, so you think about.

 

It is now history, and if some feel they would like to return a item to a former enemies family then they have the right to.

 

Do not bring politics into this thread. One and only warning.

[Wharfmaster]

And we killed just as many as them, so you think about.

 

It is now history, and if some feel they would like to return a item to a former enemies family then they have the right to.

 

Do not bring politics into this thread. One and only warning.

 

With all due respect and the greatest of respect, I was simply stating a fact.

 

And yes, this is America. People most certainly have the right to do so.

 

 

W

 

 

[Garandomatic]

I'd tend to keep a battle flag, myself. I do have some photographs and whatnot of a personal nature that I'd return if it were possible. Kids, family, stuff like that.

[5thwingmarty]

Here is a link to a story about a spoil of war that was returned to Japan. I grew up in Topeka and remember seeing the bell on display downtown.

 

http://cjonline.com/stories/041497/japan.html#.VUewbI5Viko

[AnDuc49]

I'd tend to keep a battle flag, myself. I do have some photographs and whatnot of a personal nature that I'd return if it were possible. Kids, family, stuff like that.

Hey garandomatic, I just talked to OBON and they said apparently if anything has writing that could be traced, they don't mind returning it to the families. However the downside is that once you give it to them, you essentially give it to them and then the item is no longer in your possession.

[Rakkasan187]

There are a few different organizations that do this.

 

A few years ago there was a special on NHK TV in Japan about people trying to return flags to families. It showed the ministry of health building with boxes and boxes of flags just in storage that they can't do anything with.

 

As Bob has said, since these organizations already have boxes of these flags in storage that they can't do anything with, without me personally handing over the flag to a family member and not to an organization that tries to return the flags to families, I would rather just keep them in my possession. I know at least that I will care for the flag or whatever item it is and they will not end up in a storage box on a shelf somewhere...

 

Just my thoughts...

 

Leigh

[Garandomatic]

I'd prefer it if someone could tell me if anything could be traced before I get rid of it. I figure it's better off in my war room (at least i could use it for displays at school) than an eternity in an archival box in a Tokyo basement.

[theinsigne]

I have thought of donating a few flags, wondering if if gave closure for the son or daughter of a vet, then again maybe just opening a wound that was healed. I have had flags signed by a whole unit, then signed by the American unit who captured it, who's history is it. When I started doing some buying in Japan I found tons of them for sale in the antiques and militaria industry, kinda seems it was more of a guilty American notion, old family blades may be a different story, if I was Japanese love to have my great great grandfathers katana that dad lost in the 40s...

[bryang]

One of my Soldiers had one of these flags that her grandfather had brought home from the war. In 1999 she worked with the Japanese consulate in Seattle and in the end were able to trace it to the Japanese family it had come from. She returned the flag to them.

[thefallenbuddha]

Just came across this thread today. I have to say I think the possibility of actually tracing descendants of the original owners of these flags are slim to none. It is hard enough to trace a regular Japanese soldier based on an ID booklet or other official documents, much less a random name on a flag with no unit information, which is the best there is on most of these. I have the feeling that chances are most flags sent to that address end up sitting in this Astoria guy`s collection "being researched."

 

I also always wonder even when families are supposedly located like this, if they really are the correct descendants. Just like in the US, there were lots of soldiers from the same areas that had the same name, or had other similarities.

[MAW]

If I had anything....(which I currently do not)........I'd keep it.

 

 

It might be a different thing if I met someone face-to-face randomly and there was a personal connection; but giving something to a group or institution so that they can "maybe" find a relative.....that's not happening.

[Bob Hudson]

The kind of flag they hope to return is the individual Japanese soldier's "hinomaru yosegaki" "good luck" flag which was signed by friends and family and carried, folded up, in battle.

Most have the same phrase at the top, which means something like "Eternal Fortune in Battle".

These flags might have the soldier's name and hometown written on them amidst all of the best wishes from family and friends:

[rtepak6]

[ajbUSWM]

This is something new...interesting.

[ViewfinderGyrene]

image.jpg

 

Lol, I picture exactly that with so many orgs and museums...

 

I somewhat admire the intent, but when you get people the world over returning them, everyone gets overwhelmed and the intent isn't fulfilled. I'd just as soon keep it [for numerous reasons] if the chance that could happen was greater than intent...

[thefallenbuddha]

Just to add, while it is true there were flags that were indeed signed by family and friends, there were many others (as often with the "1000 stitch belts" or the off to war banners) that were prepared by patriotic home front organizations to give to the troops. These would be produced in bulk by groups of volunteers who would put their names and different slogans on them (or stitches on the belt), and give them to the soldiers, adding the soldier's name last or having him sign it. One telling note is these flags sometimes look like they have been prepared by the same hand.

 

And, yes, these are sold, bought, collected, and faked in collecting venues throughout Japan today.

[AnDuc49]

Exactly how I feel guys. I don't feel like giving something away to someone else unless they can trace it first. If they can trace it and give me something better than there word, then by all means you can return my item.

[Backtheattack]

Interesting theme. Never noticed such a mission.

[MAW]

I can add this one to my list....

 

...as in other threads.....

 

1) All of your WW1 5th and 6th Marine groups are haunted. Send them to me, and I'll take care of it.

 

2) All of your Japanese souvenirs should go back to the families. Send them to me, and I'll "try" to find the proper home for them.

 

3) I am a relative of every paratrooper and FSSF guy that you have something from. I deserve to have it back.

 

Thank you for your support.