Jump to content

Japanese flag from Iwo Jima


No Quarter
 Share

Recommended Posts

No Quarter

Just picked this flag up today at the Raleigh Military Show. It's a fairly large flag, it has been framed for a very long time and the seller said he got it from a closed down American Legion in Alabama. On the back of the frame, there is faint pencil writing but it says, Ned P. Hobbs, Army Air Force, Iwo Jima. Is there anyone on here that could possibly translate the flag?

 

Thanks,

Jacob

post-162535-0-23312600-1527973994_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The kanji at the top of this Hinomaru Yosegaki says something like "everlasting fortune in battle". War era Japanese reads from right to left (usually), and this is reversed, I believe. Most likely many of the kanji around the flag are names of well wishers, or other patriotic slogan. I have two of these (tho' not from Iwo!) and got them translated at the Japan Forum, link below. You may have to join, but it is free. As it is a Japanese forum, be very respectful in how you communicate. Good luck, I got a lot of help with mine.

 

https://www.jref.com/forum/good-luck-flags-militaria.206/

 

 

 

post-8025-0-42674000-1527978043_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The bottom line is, it is written with a bunch of well wishes from the family, close friends or teachers of the member. I have a very ornate flag like that one that's completely filled out and my brother who lives in Tokyo, and sister in law (Japanese) translated it for me.

 

Some of the kanji characters aren't used in common day Japanese language anymore, so they are a bit tough to translate. My flag belonged to a man with the last name of Tanaka, and my brother stated it was like looking for a Smith in America!

 

Nice flag!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Eric Queen

Nice flag. His name is written at far right.

 

吉岡信 = Matoko Yoshioka

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No Quarter

Thank you everyone for the responses! Eric, are the rest of the symbols just patriotic sayings?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Eric Queen

No there is a mixture of slogans (like 義勇 奉公 giyuuhoukou = heroic service) and signatures of well wishers. Seems to be a number of relatives (same last name)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No Quarter

No there is a mixture of slogans (like 義勇 奉公 giyuuhoukou = heroic service) and signatures of well wishers. Seems to be a number of relatives (same last name)

Thanks!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...