Hinomaru “Good Luck” flag

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PaulChester

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9 Feb 2023

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• 9 Feb 2023

• #1

I inherited this hinomaru flag captured in the Pacific. Can anyone help me figure out what is says and/or if it has the student/soldier/high school's name on it? I really would like to return this to the family of this fallen young man. Any help would be appreciated.

 

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Majestic

先輩

Ten-year veteran

12 Oct 2013

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• 9 Feb 2023

• #2

Looks like it was presented to WAKATSUKI Kiyoshi. Wakatsuki is the family name.
It is from his classmates at the Ōsaka Engineering University Judō Club. This university changed its name or got merged with another university, and it is now called Kindai University. Across the top it says (right to left) Pray for good luck in battle. The rest are names.

Two options for trying to repatriate this are the Obon Society, or your nearest Japanese Embassy.

 

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PaulChester

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9 Feb 2023

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• 9 Feb 2023

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• #3

Thanks. Which characters say"pray for good luck in battle?" I apologize but I do not even know which side is the top of the flag.

 

Majestic

先輩

Ten-year veteran

12 Oct 2013

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• 9 Feb 2023

• #4

This is the correct orientation. The 5 characters across the top say 祷武運長久 (pray for good luck in battle).

 

Grandpa Frank

Sempai

Admin

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21 May 2003

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• 9 Feb 2023

• #5

With all these captured flags we see , I get the feeling all that praying did not do the former owners any good.

 

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PaulChester

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9 Feb 2023

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• 9 Feb 2023

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Majestic:

Thanks for all your help. Can I impose on you to circle the characters that have the University and Judo Club names. That would help a lot. I really want to track down this soldier's family and return this flag to them. I do not feel it is right for me to have it. Thanks

 

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PaulChester

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9 Feb 2023

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• 9 Feb 2023

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Uncle Frank said:

With all these captured flags we see , I get the feeling all that praying did not do the former owners any good.

Click to expand...

Dude, that seems a little harsh. These poor guys were just kids who died miserably. Yes, they may have been our enemies but they were just doing their duty to their own country. I have a lot of empathy for any young man who dies in battle far from home.

 

mdchachi

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6 Mar 2003

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• 9 Feb 2023

• #8

PaulChester said:

Majestic:

Thanks for all your help. Can I impose on you to circle the characters that have the University and Judo Club names. That would help a lot. I really want to track down this soldier's family and return this flag to them. I do not feel it is right for me to have it. Thanks

Click to expand...

Are you familiar with the Obon Society? They can help you repatriate the flag.

 

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PaulChester

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9 Feb 2023

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• 10 Feb 2023

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• #9

One last request (I promise): Can you circle the images of the characters for "WAKATSUKI Kiyoshi?" Thanks much. You are being an incredible help.

 

mdchachi

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• 10 Feb 2023

• #10

PaulChester said:

One last request (I promise): Can you circle the images of the characters for "WAKATSUKI Kiyoshi?" Thanks much. You are being an incredible help.

Click to expand...

It's the large four characters on the right side. You read them top down.