Vix Steel Posted September 10, 2016 Share #1 Posted September 10, 2016 Got this flag in a partial trade. Not really my area of focus but thought it was neat enough to acquire. Unable to read the Japanese but guess its a standard "Prayer" type flag. Feels like or similar to silk. Also my picture might be upside down! Has a few interesting GI names written on it. Also someone wrote HIRO. "I'll never forget short time Charlie" ? must have been an interesting story. I hope everything looks legit. Assume these names could be researched? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vix Steel Posted September 10, 2016 Author Share #2 Posted September 10, 2016 more... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USCapturephotos Posted September 11, 2016 Share #3 Posted September 11, 2016 Thanks for sharing your flag with us. I really enjoy seeing the signed flags. Seems like usually you see many more signed NSDAP flags and not as many US signed Japanese flags...at least that has been my experience. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USCapturephotos Posted September 11, 2016 Share #4 Posted September 11, 2016 Oh Vix. I forgot to mention that you might be able to find out some info on the soldiers who signed the flag. I have had luck with several names on the GI signed Nazi flags that I own. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vix Steel Posted September 14, 2016 Author Share #5 Posted September 14, 2016 Thanx Paul! Hope to get some time soon to look up a few of these names! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieony Posted September 14, 2016 Share #6 Posted September 14, 2016 A really nice bring-back flag...thank you for posting! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JosephC Posted September 14, 2016 Share #7 Posted September 14, 2016 looks correct; for displaying the Japanese writing in correct orientation you would want to turn it counter clockwise with the leather tabs on right side unless the GI signatures warrant display as you show. You could confirm that that would be the correct orientation and get a partial translation on the warrelics.eu forum; the members are very friendly and accommodating. Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
General Colt Posted September 15, 2016 Share #8 Posted September 15, 2016 Very nice flag! Ive always liked the US Soldier signed ones! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted September 15, 2016 Share #9 Posted September 15, 2016 This to me is not a typical "prayer" flag and I doubt something that was ever given to/worn by a Japanese soldier in war time. The bottom says "eien no yuu" 永遠の友 (eternal friendship), three other people (women) wrote "shinyuu" 親友 and "shinai" 親愛 (good friend, loving friend), one woman writes "gonfutsuu shintsuu" 言不通心痛 (I'll be heart broken if no word from you) which is not something I have ever seen on prayer flags. The upper right (when the flag is in its correct orientation. It's upside down in the photo) also has a non-Japanese name (Andy) written in Japanese (katakana). Directly after the war, during the occupation, there were many GI's who worked closely with the Japanese (both ex military personnel and civilian). My guess is this was a parting souvenir for one of these guys given by Japanese he worked with, friends he made, etc. before being shipped back to the states. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vix Steel Posted September 15, 2016 Author Share #10 Posted September 15, 2016 EQ, your translation and guess makes sense to me. Thanx for taking the time to share that very helpful information! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFP54 Posted September 15, 2016 Share #11 Posted September 15, 2016 I may have one of your guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted September 15, 2016 Share #12 Posted September 15, 2016 Here is the flag in the correct orientation. The flag also says "kikenkou" 祈健康 (a prayer for good health) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwc271 Posted December 7, 2016 Share #13 Posted December 7, 2016 Hi there, I just happen to live in Greenville, SC where one of the soldiers that signed lives. I'll look up the address if you like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blu1989 Posted December 8, 2016 Share #14 Posted December 8, 2016 I have a flag just like it that I bought from a coworker a few years back. It's not Japanese signed but it is a large silk flag with a few GI signatures and addresses but I haven't struck paydirt yet as to what unit they belonged to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwc271 Posted December 8, 2016 Share #15 Posted December 8, 2016 It just so happens that the Baldwin st address is right beside the baseball field of Brandon Mill, which is where Shoeless Joe Jackson grew up and played ball. Kinda neat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwc271 Posted December 8, 2016 Share #16 Posted December 8, 2016 It is called the Joe Jackson Memorial Field Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
44-63963 Posted February 11, 2018 Share #17 Posted February 11, 2018 what a great flag, a high lite to any pacific collection, thank you for sharing it with all of us Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M422A1 Posted February 11, 2018 Share #18 Posted February 11, 2018 I'm from Greenville, SC but now live in Alabama. Back in SC I knew a man named Bailey Byers. He was in the Army during WWII but I don't think he ever served overseas. His widow gave me his WWII photo album and a picture frame with his dog tags and rank patches, etc. in it. I can't tell what the first name on your flag is, but it appears to be a nickname because it is in quotation marks. It might be him or a relative. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peyton_Aukland41 Posted February 26, 2018 Share #19 Posted February 26, 2018 I have a Japanese flag signed by around 18 GI's like this. I've contacted multiple families through facebook by putting the last name in the search bar and then putting a location filter to the town and state under the name. I look for people in their 50s or 60s that could be descendants of the veteran and send them a message. The worst they can say is no. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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