Original Item: Only One Available. Just purchased from a large military auction! We received this wonderful named "Good Luck" flag along with a translation of some of the writing, something we don't see very often. As with many good luck flags, the top right marked with 久 長 運 武 (read bottom to top), which reads Bu un Chou kyu ("May your military fortunes be long lasting.") The line to the left of this is the name of the person it was presented to: ね鈴木憲一君 written top to bottom, read as "ne Suzuki Ken'ichi-kun", or "to Mr. Kenichi Suzuki".

The flag also bears additional phrases regarding valor and bravery, as well as numerous signatures radiating out from the central "Sun". The flag is partly written using semi-cursive gyōsho (行書), a more flowing script which while not as hard to read as sōsho (草書 - cursive), is still difficult to read, so not all of the Kanji were able to be translated. The ink / paint on the flag has also run somewhat. There are definitely several different penmanship styles used, so this was signed by multiple people.

The flag measures approximately 28” x 37”, and is made of fine sheer silk cloth, which is definitely a bit delicate, with the red "sun" dyed into the middle. Overall the flag is in excellent condition and is the real deal: a genuine US GI "bring back"!

The writing is still mostly legible, and this would make a fine display piece for a wall or glass table. The flag still has the original corner ties fully intact, along with brown leather corner reinforcements.

Ready to display!

The 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.

The 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.