Swords Posted July 30, 2023 Report Posted July 30, 2023 Any assistance for the kanji translation on the flag is appreciated I also have a sword and dog tag it’s not clear on the tang Steve Quote
SteveM Posted July 30, 2023 Report Posted July 30, 2023 Flag says "pray for good luck in battle" as nearly all of these things do. Addressed to Inoue Sadao 井上貞雄 The message I need some help on the second line (and correct any errors). Makes liberal use of hentai-gana. 新らしく築く東亜の建設 井囗かはのぞむ (いつかは?) 幸ひ君の御召り事 男らしく進み国の為 君の武運を祈るらん Building a new East Asia Fortunately, you were summoned Advance like a man, for the country We pray for your (military) success Person who wrote the message is... 武鉄? Taketetsu? Sword is Amachi Masatsune 天地正恒作 Dog tag is just numbers. Imperial Japanese dog tags aren't like US dog tags. They don't state the name of the soldier. They just have numbers and abbreviations signifying the units. You might ask over on the warrelics forum if they can decipher this. I know Nick Komiya had a key to identifying some of the codes used on the tags. @Kiipu might know what I'm talking about. 4 Quote
Kiipu Posted July 30, 2023 Report Posted July 30, 2023 The dog tag article mentioned by SteveM can be seen via the link below. Ditto the comment about WRF helping with the unit identification. The Evolution of Japanese Army Dog Tags (1894-1945) 1 Quote
Swords Posted July 30, 2023 Author Report Posted July 30, 2023 Thanks for your help ! The flag is very interesting information Im a little perplexed why not many kanji such as friends an family members were signed What bother’s me that many of these flags were taken home by the GIs as souvenirs and are seen being sold on sites like EBay Long story short I saw a clip on the internet where a good luck flag found it’s a at back to the grand parents and were so appreciative to have it returned and saying he came home A tear jerking moment. Because so many Japanese soldiers were killed the families never found closer All their swords that were confiscated after there surrender or picked up on the battle ground They were taken home by the GIs They were kept or sold Alot of these swords were tagged with a surrender cloth or tag in hopes it would be returned and very few if any were Some pitched in the sea Or went down on their ships or planes never to be seen again Im thinking of buying this flag and send it to the organization where they try and find the surviving families Probably not my swords lol Quote
Kiipu Posted July 30, 2023 Report Posted July 30, 2023 Quote Nick Komiya Unit 18491 was code for the 147th Airfield Battalion, ending the war in the Philippines, as part of the 41st Army. The unit was involved in aircraft maintenance, supply and airfield security. Whether the tag is original is a hard call as it was not made with proper stamping dies for each character, but improvised. However the scratched on characters are properly balanced suggesting it was done by a Japanese, making it a very plausible improvisation. Need Help! dogtag 2 Quote
SteveM Posted July 30, 2023 Report Posted July 30, 2023 I'm also intrigued by the possibility that there is a significance in the large letters that make up the first character of each line in the message. 新井幸男君. It could be that these spell out a person's name (ARAI Yukio). This could actually be the name of the intended recipient, and Inoue Sadao could have been the guy who presented the flag. 5 Quote
Swords Posted July 31, 2023 Author Report Posted July 31, 2023 Do you believe ARAI Yukio).is the soldier who took the flag into battle ? Just wanted to be sure if I decide to send it to this organization provided I win the bid great information guys on the flag sword and tag Thanks to all for your information FYI If any one has any Japanese items that would like have it returned to the relatives and like flags helmets dog tags or anything that has the soldiers name NO photos I will forward where to send it to Steve Quote
SteveM Posted July 31, 2023 Report Posted July 31, 2023 Its a possibility. I don't know for sure. Actually, I can't even read the other name very clearly. I have taken a small guess that it says Inoue Sadao (井上貞雄), but I can't read the last character clearly. Could be part of a name, or it could be something else. 1 Quote
Swords Posted July 31, 2023 Author Report Posted July 31, 2023 That’s ok whoever gets the flag I’m. Sure there are people who can translate I also have a diary Maybe you can help figure out what the kanji is I find it interesting that a photo of a Japanese female was tucked in the pocket I’m guessing it’s a girl friend or wife of the soldier 1 Quote
SteveM Posted July 31, 2023 Report Posted July 31, 2023 The war diary has the name of ISHIDA Katsutoshi on it. 2 Quote
Nobody Posted August 1, 2023 Report Posted August 1, 2023 On 7/31/2023 at 12:25 AM, SteveM said: Flag says "pray for good luck in battle" as nearly all of these things do. Addressed to Inoue Sadao 井上貞雄 The message I need some help on the second line (and correct any errors). Makes liberal use of hentai-gana. 新らしく築く東亜の建設 井囗かはのぞむ (いつかは?) 幸ひ君の御召り事 男らしく進み国の為 君の武運を祈るらん Building a new East Asia Fortunately, you were summoned Advance like a man, for the country We pray for your (military) success Person who wrote the message is... 武鉄? Taketetsu? .............................................. I think that Steve’s reading is almost perfect. I only corrected 2 or 3 hentaigana here. I also agree that 新井幸男 (ARAI Yukio/Sachio) might be the recipient of the flag. 新らしく築く東亜の建設 井つかはめざむ▢▢▢ 幸ひ君の御召り事 (I am not sure about the last two characters.) 男らしく進め國の為 君の武運を祈るらん 玉瑛 – Gyokuei (The art name of the person who wrote the message.) The characters on the left part of the seal are also 玉瑛 in Tensho style. 7 1 Quote
Swords Posted August 1, 2023 Author Report Posted August 1, 2023 That’s ok whoever gets the flag I’m. Sure there are people who can translate I also have a diary Maybe you can help figure out what the kanji is I find it interesting that a photo of a Japanese female was tucked in the pocket I’m guessing it’s a girl friend or wife of the soldier Great information guy’s I will probably send out my diary along with the flag of I get it Now I have new information And might get lucky The photo of the girl is a bonus Steive Quote
Swords Posted August 1, 2023 Author Report Posted August 1, 2023 The dam flag disappeared It dosnt show sold or listed?? Some one bought it or removed it Im actually pissed off ! Sorry I didn’t expect it steve Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted August 1, 2023 Report Posted August 1, 2023 Also the little book is a 軍隊手帳 Guntai Techō or Army Regulations booklet to be carried at all times by every soldier, I would think. (Off the top of my head. Might need to double-check that.) 1 Quote
Tensho Posted August 1, 2023 Report Posted August 1, 2023 1 hour ago, Bugyotsuji said: Also the little book is a 軍隊手帳 Guntai Techō or Army Regulations booklet to be carried at all times by every soldier, I would think. (Off the top of my head. Might need to double-check that.) You are correct. https://www.warrelic...-1871-1945-a-708090/ 1 Quote
Swords Posted August 1, 2023 Author Report Posted August 1, 2023 I’m thinking someone or the seller saw this flag on this site And figured since the kanji was already translated thanks to you all it was quickly bought or removed! Earlier I posted a sword a while back and the kanji was also translated same as the flag and it was bought or removed ! I should have learned my lesson ! Next time I will have it in my hands before I ask for help Too bad Now the family won’t ever see the flag of the killed soldier if it was to find its way there At least I have the the diary Dose any kanji represent the name of the soldier who owned it? Thanks Steve Quote
John C Posted August 1, 2023 Report Posted August 1, 2023 4 minutes ago, Swords said: Dose any kanji represent the name of the soldier who owned it? I think SteveM answered that question above (Ishida Katsutoshi), however I have another question. Is there any inscription on the back of the picture or any thing else that may help to identify the owner further? John C. Quote
Swords Posted August 1, 2023 Author Report Posted August 1, 2023 Steve M I forgot to mention is the name ISHIDA Katsutoshi the soldier who owned the diary ? Quote
Swords Posted August 1, 2023 Author Report Posted August 1, 2023 I just saw your question No there isn’t any thing written on the back of the photo when I bought the diary it was tucked in the pocket so it may or may not be connected It dose fit nicely in the pocket Quote
SteveM Posted August 2, 2023 Report Posted August 2, 2023 3 hours ago, Swords said: is the name ISHIDA Katsutoshi the soldier who owned the diary ? Yes. 1 Quote
John C Posted August 2, 2023 Report Posted August 2, 2023 4 hours ago, Swords said: No there isn’t any thing written on the back of the photo If there is any writing on the inside, it would be really cool to get it translated (probably would have to pay someone or take it to a local college where they teach Japanese languages). It could have some historically significant passages, or at the very least, give you an idea if his family can be located. Great find, Steve!! John C. 1 Quote
Swords Posted August 2, 2023 Author Report Posted August 2, 2023 Actually I see you these books being sold on EBay I did see one that accurately had the original case There’s a lot of kanji red and black printed in the book I agree It would be interesting to know what it all means Not sure if some was done by the soldier I will take a few pictures Thanks for everyones help Quote
Swords Posted August 3, 2023 Author Report Posted August 3, 2023 So I took pictures of some black kanji Theres 2 parts black a red kanji Dont know if that helps steve Quote
John C Posted August 3, 2023 Report Posted August 3, 2023 Steve: I'm using google translate so the info is sketchy. But the first one looks interesting. Seems to be personal information. Ishida Masaru from Kyoto prefecture. Has height information; Born in Meiji era; jurisdiction imperial guard, stuff like that. But again, the app is not always very accurate. I think the other one is basic military information. John C. 1 Quote
Swords Posted August 4, 2023 Author Report Posted August 4, 2023 I think I lost my comments? If it shows up ignore this message I will send out the diary and see if they can find out any information of this soldier ISHIDA Katsutoshi And will keep everyone informed ! What else dose an old man have to do with his money lol Now I will be on the lookout for a good luck flag! Thanks for everyone’s help Steve Quote
Swords Posted August 6, 2023 Author Report Posted August 6, 2023 Hi everyone I wanted to have you see my good luck flag in hopes to authentic it I bought this year’s ago believing it’s original but have doubts. Because it looks new Being silk shouldn’t it have yellow texture? Any way I used a black light but have a hard time since it’s not a deep purple glow but not a light tint The paper corners don’t glow at all which I think strange I was told some. Kind of receipt? Also need help translating kanji that might help authenticate it Steve Quote
Swords Posted August 7, 2023 Author Report Posted August 7, 2023 Here’s the flag showed with my swords to give you an idea of its size Quote
SteveM Posted August 7, 2023 Report Posted August 7, 2023 Ideally, the orientation should be horizontal for this flag, like the below. The big letters on top, and the other big letters down the right side. The 4 big letters at the top say 武運長久 (Everlasting luck in battle). I would say 85% - 90% of these flags have this slogan at the top. Down the right side is the name of the recipient, NAKAGAWA Sadao. The rest of the writing are names - presumably colleagues, friends, or schoolmates of Mr. Nakagawa. No idea if it is real or not. It has no location or school or company name or date that would allow us to pinpoint it. The writing across the top and down the side is not particularly well executed. And the name, Nakagawa, is an extremely common name. So, unfortunately, these all increase the possibility that the flag is a fake. The tag is just a quality inspection tag. There is no date on that. You might be able to date it by the name of the association, but I just did a very quick search and couldn't find anything. Kumamoto Prefecture Fabric Quality Inspection Association (approximate translation). 1 Quote
Nobody Posted August 7, 2023 Report Posted August 7, 2023 9 hours ago, Swords said: Hi everyone I wanted to have you see my good luck flag in hopes to authentic it I bought this year’s ago believing it’s original but have doubts. Because it looks new Being silk shouldn’t it have yellow texture? Any way I used a black light but have a hard time since it’s not a deep purple glow but not a light tint The paper corners don’t glow at all which I think strange I was told some. Kind of receipt? Also need help translating kanji that might help authenticate it Steve I think that the paper has no connection with the flag. 熊本縣繊維品價格査定委員會 – Kumamoto prefecture Textile Pricing Committee The paper was issued to control the ceiling price of a national frag whose size was 一巾 (34 cm) at its short side. Your flag looks two times lager than the size written on the paper. 1 Quote
Swords Posted August 7, 2023 Author Report Posted August 7, 2023 Well I was hoping it’s authentic As I said the blue light is hard to see Although the paper corners don’t glow which I find odd. Anyway it looks too new and the kanji looks too uniform I would think it would yellow with age ? Unless anyone one else knows something I will take it as a worthless piece of silk and will keep it on the wall Thanks for your help Steve 1 Quote
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