Translation of inscription on gunto saya

Hi Guys

Please tell me this is Chinese;

Or what is says if it is Japanese.

I have tried and tried using my mei reading books; yes, I know it is not a mei!

I was told it was the bring back of an RAF pilot that had something to do with Chinese / Japanese prisoner of war exchanges / releases.

Cheers in hope and anticipation

Mark

Hi Mark,

Certainly Japanese IMHO.

Reading from Right to Left the first 2 say:

HISSHO (certain Victory) and again the next 2 say HI ? (certain ?)...sorry can't quite get the last kanji.

Hissho is quite common on WWII flags, tsuba etc etc...the other slogan I don't know.

Regards,

Hi,

成必勝必 <------

Certain victory!!, We/I can do it !!

Guys, thank you very much.

It dispells, I think, what the original owner said, that his grandpa was given it by the Chinese.

Cheers

Why?

This was almost certainly put there by the Japanese owner as a motivation/patriotic saying when he went to war. That doesn't preclude it from having been captured and gifted by the Chinese. I have seen that happen before.

Brian