Good Luck Flag

[Golfer1946]

I just discovered this flag that was packed away many years ago. My father was in WWII and this was among other military memorabilia. Can someone help with the translation? It's in very good shape with just one small hole. I've been offered $$$ for it, so I believe it is genuine. Thank you.

 

[Majestic]

Seems to be just names.

Hirota Fusaichi
Yamamoto something
Fukushima something
Takada something

It's unusual in that it doesn't actually wish anyone "good luck", and all the names are written by the same person.

 

[mdchachi]

Seems to be just names.

Hirota Fusaichi
Yamamoto something
Fukushima something
Takada something

It's unusual in that it doesn't actually wish anyone "good luck", and all the names are written by the same person.

The extra artwork of the tiger is somewhat unusual too isn't it?

 

[Majestic]

Yes - the artwork is slightly unusual. We've had a few posted with tigers and daruma buddhas, etc., so its not completely unheard of.

 

[Toritoribe]

Those were written someone who actually didn't know kanji. I would say it's a typical poorly-made fake flag.

 

[mdchachi]

I just discovered this flag that was packed away many years ago. My father was in WWII and this was among other military memorabilia. Can someone help with the translation? It's in very good shape with just one small hole. I've been offered $$$ for it, so I believe it is genuine. Thank you.

View attachment 102230

You should grab the $$$ while you can. AI tools will eventually get smart enough to tell buyers which ones look fake and which ones don't. When that happens the market will tank for the fake ones.

 

[Dentanmono]

I feel like I'm a broken record when it comes to this but even if it's fake there is still a good amount of history behind it, so don't assume it is worthless. During/After the war there was a good amount of G.I.'s faking flags either for money or they were really sought after souvenirs. They were in high demand and when supply outstripped demand the "market" stepped up with these fake ones. While if the flag is fake it might not be as cool as a real one there is still a great deal of history behind it. Here's a couple pictures from that period of fake ones being made,

(The photo contains offensive language so poorly "edited" it, really interesting though as it shows the scale of production) and 写真が語る沖縄 – 沖縄県公文書館