Japanese WWII Battle Flag

[Jerry.gray]

I have recently been given a WWII Japanese Battle Flag that was passed down to me. I am interested in possibly returning the flag to the famly or community that it belongs to. I am including two pictures of the flag and any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Grandpa Frank]

Enlarged a bit to help.

 

[Jerry.gray]

View attachment 121682View attachment 121683View attachment 121683 Enlarged a bit to help.

I have used a translator app and got this (see pictures). I'm thinking that the village of Kanegusuku is located on Okinawa , however I'm am baffled by the single star with what looks like an anchor.
[/QUOTE]
Thank you.

 

[Grandpa Frank]

Sometimes it takes our more qualified members a day or two to reply. Hopefully by tomorrow , someone will enlighten us.

 

[Majestic]

Not a battle flag, but a flag from the Veteran's Association, Kanegusuku village branch (in Okinawa, as you surmised).

在郷軍人會旗

www.interq.or.jp

Kanegusuku was absorbed into the city of Itoman (Ichuman)

Itoman, Okinawa - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Jerry.gray]

Not a battle flag, but a flag from the Veteran's Association, Kanegusuku village branch (in Okinawa, as you surmised).

在郷軍人會旗

www.interq.or.jp

Kanegusuku was absorbed into the city of Itoman (Ichuman)

Itoman, Okinawa - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Thanks Majestic for the information. With this being a Veteran's Association, Kanegusuku village flag how rare of an artifact would this Flag be? The Flag along with a Arisaka type 99 bolt action rifle was brought home by my great uncle after the war. I know that he was a USMC Veteran and that he did fight in the battle on Okinawa.

 

[Majestic]

I don't know how unique it is. The flag itself may have been mass-produced and sent in bulk to various veterans' associations, where they were then customized with the individual city or town names. But its in good condition, it's got a village name on it which ties it to a place and, to some extent, a time. So overall its a nice artifact from the WW2 era.

Maybe not a great candidate for repatriation, though, because it isn't tied to a specific person. And for Kanegusuku village it might be a not-so-welcome reminder of Japan's militaristic past. The militarists and the government in general didn't treat the Okinawans very well, and the post-war era was also rough for Okinawa, so this kind of item is a bit awkward, I would think. That's my opinion though - and I'm not a native so I could be wrong about it.

 

[mdchachi]

There's a Peace Museum there with a focus on the war/history. They could have some interest in this artifact considering that it's from part of that same town.

Peace Memorial Park Okinawa: A solemn tribute to the Battle of Okinawa

Situated on Mabuni Hill in Itoman City, the Peace Memorial Park Okinawa stands as a poignant reminder of the devastating Battle of Okinawa during World War II. This expansive park, covering 122,100 square meters, serves as a place of remembrance, reflection, and education about the horrors of...

www.japan-experience.com

 

[Jerry.gray]

I don't know how unique it is. The flag itself may have been mass-produced and sent in bulk to various veterans' associations, where they were then customized with the individual city or town names. But its in good condition, it's got a village name on it which ties it to a place and, to some extent, a time. So overall its a nice artifact from the WW2 era.

Maybe not a great candidate for repatriation, though, because it isn't tied to a specific person. And for Kanegusuku village it might be a not-so-welcome reminder of Japan's militaristic past. The militarists and the government in general didn't treat the Okinawans very well, and the post-war era was also rough for Okinawa, so this kind of item is a bit awkward, I would think. That's my opinion though - and I'm not a native so I could be wrong about it.

Majestic,
From my research and readings I tend to concur with your assessment. It did seem that the Okinawans were treated very harshlyby the Japanese military. My uncle brought back the flag , a type 99 rifle, and I also have his awards and decorations as well as his Kabar knife that he had his entire service throughout the war. Thank you for your time and input.