Signed fans ,ww2 bring backs.

[Lindus]

These are two fans that came with shin gunto bought privately some years ago. The question is were these produced in numbers or were they individual gifts to officers.

One is grubby, the other only sligthly so.

 

Thanks

 

Roy

[cabowen]

These were given out to instill patriotism. They usually have patriotic phrases.

 

The first one was written, if it can be believed, by Tojo Hideki. Hissho Hi Sei (Hoping for Victory and Success)

 

Second one is written very nicely. I do not recognize the name off-hand....Kawamura something....Kun ? Kotobuki Aki

[Lindus]

Hallo Chris, apologies, the translations I have, around twenty years ago I had a friend in Japan who knew an ex colonel in IJP, Sakake Shimizu who translated as the following....

 

" We must do our duty so we will win" "Hiedki Tojyo"

"By(or for) Matsu Tomio" Captain IJA

"Hissho"= sure.win or we shall win-"Hissei" sure to

Signature...Hideki Tojo.Minister of the army 1940.

 

 

The second is signed by General Kawamura & a poem by him that translates as.. "Something beutiful autumn season"{Kun rei si shu}

Saburo Kawamura,Major general,9th Infantry brigade.

 

These he said were rough translations, how accurate I will probably find out soon from the NMB members aquired from the widow of an RAF Padre, Captain Ridgeway it seems was awarded a medal for carrying out a funeral while under fire!!.

 

I just wondered how common these were and if they mass produced as gifts to junior field officers, the sript seems good and some bleed through can be seen....I think.

 

Thanks

 

Roy

 

PS. pretty sure Ron Gregory had Kawamura's sword which was sold at auction when his entire collection went, would like to know who has it...would love to own it...Hint. Trade goods available,Pastys and Cornish cream as well.....

[Nobody]

I think that they were not autographs but mass-produced printed matters to be given to soldiers at the front.

 

I noticed small characters on the left side of the fan of Tojo. They may be 陸軍恤兵部 (Rikugun Juppei-bu), which seems to be a section of the army to control comfort materials for soldiers in the field.

 

I also found an exactly same print on another fan.

Ref. http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~oceandou/ni ... ouougisita

[Nobody]

.................

The second is signed by General Kawamura & a poem by him that translates as.. "Something beutiful autumn season"{Kun rei si shu}

......................

I am not sure about the 3rd kanji, but the first part of the writing may be 勲耀 (Kun Yo – The feat glows.).

[k morita]

Hi,

 

The 2nd fan means "Eternal brilliant distinguished services" 勲耀萬秋

[Lindus]

Once again gentlemen many thanks and much appreciate the knowledge and time spent on this site.

 

Regards

 

Roy