Good Luck Flag

Jefowler · 7 Feb 2023

I would like to find family name on the Good Luck Flag my dad brought back from WWII. Pretty certain it's authentic since I've had it many years dating back to his return. Could return it to family if they have interest. Need to know how to get photo to you for inspection. Thanks!

mdchachi · 7 Feb 2023

Hello. Assuming you want to give the flag back to them, there is an organization dedicated to this purpose called the Obon Society.

Obon Society | Our Mission

OBON SOCIETY is a non-profit humanitarian effort dedicated to the pursuit of peace. We provide opportunities for reconciliation between families through the return of personal items taken during war.

obonsociety.org

Jefowler · 7 Feb 2023

I would like to find out the authenticity of the flag first!

Jefowler · 7 Feb 2023

mdchachi said:
Hello. Assuming you want to give the flag back to them, there is an organization dedicated to this purpose called the Obon Society.

Obon Society | Our Mission

OBON SOCIETY is a non-profit humanitarian effort dedicated to the pursuit of peace. We provide opportunities for reconciliation between families through the return of personal items taken during war.

obonsociety.org

mdchachi · 7 Feb 2023

I'm no expert but it looks legitimate to me. Let's see if our resident expert(s) can make out a recipient's name or location.
All of the various writings are signatures. Looks like the whole town signed it!

Grandpa Frank · 7 Feb 2023

OMG ! I've never seen a flag with so much writing before. Maybe if you take close ups and break it down into about 6 closeups it will be a big help. Hopefully our members will be able to help you.

Jefowler · 7 Feb 2023

Photos should be attached

Jefowler · 7 Feb 2023

I might be able to smooth out if necessary.

Majestic · 7 Feb 2023

Would like a better shot of what's written in the red disk. Looks like the name is written there, but the crease in the fabric makes those characters difficult to read. Also, the flag should be oriented horizontally.
Everything outside of the disk is a name, except for the large letters written across the top, which say "Good Luck in Battle".
武運長久
I would expect that to be written right to left as was the custom at the time, but seeing it written left to right is not necessarily a deal-breaker. Its not so unusual to see it this way, but maybe 80-90% of the time its written left to right (or vertically).

Majestic · 7 Feb 2023

This is the correct orientation.

Jefowler · 7 Feb 2023

Can you read?

Jefowler · 7 Feb 2023

Horizontal of red part

Majestic · 7 Feb 2023

OK. It looks to be from Japan-occupied Taiwan. The date on the flag is a Republic of China date (ROC 30 = 1941). The name and the bit next to it are also in Chinese, so they are unreadable to me.

Jefowler · 7 Feb 2023

Majestic said:
OK. It looks to be from Japan-occupied Taiwan. The date on the flag is a Republic of China date (ROC 30 = 1941). The name and the bit next to it are also in Chinese, so they are unreadable to me.

Any suggestions as to how I proceed? Does the flag have any value?

Jefowler · 7 Feb 2023

Jefowler said:
Any suggestions as to how I proceed? Does the flag have any value?

And why would the writing be in Chinese?

mdchachi · 7 Feb 2023

Probably the flag was owned by an ethnic Chinese person fighting for Japan. Many Taiwanese were encouraged to volunteer for the war and eventually there was a draft.
By that time Taiwan had been Japan's colony for 50 years.
I would say it has historical value for sure. No idea about monetary value, I don't track these artifacts.
You could ask these folks if there is any interest to put this in a museum. Or to confirm what Majestic told you.

National Museum of Taiwan History-Exhibition Summary

National Museum of Taiwan History

www.nmth.gov.tw

I'd also ask the Obon Society. They must have dealt with these kinds of flags before.

It really depends on what you want to do with it.

Majestic · 8 Feb 2023

As above, Obon Society is one avenue available to you.
Another is the Japanese embassy closest to you - for example, check out the link below regarding repatriation of war items

Repatriation of World War II Artifacts

Repatriation of WW2 Artifacts

www.boston.us.emb-japan.go.jp

Good Luck Flag

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