Japanese Good Luck Flag - question about orientation from a framer

[StaffordFCo.]

So glad I found this community - I'm hoping someone can help me to make sure I frame this Japanese Good Luck Flag in the proper orientation. Is this the right way to display it? The characters have bled through the very thin flag so I'm not even sure if this is the front. I am an independent picture framer, and my client says this flag was passed down to him, that is was brought home by his Grandfather from his time serving in The Pacific in WWII, and that it was hanging in his uncle's auto mechanic garage for 50 years before it passed to him. It's in horrible condition, barely holding together, but I will be using an appropriate framing technique that will preserve it and keep it from deteriorating further. Which way should it be displayed? Thanks in advance!

 

[nice gaijin]

oof, I'm no expert on memorabilia but this was definitely written by one person who had no idea what they were doing... possibly an occupation-era American serviceman just imitating a yosegaki hinomaru as a souvenir. Some are recognizable as far as the kanji or kana they're intended to be, but none of it is intelligible. Usually the writing will radiate from the circle or be written vertically or horizontal, but on this flag almost every "word" is written in a seemingly random direction, so there is no "correct" orientation. . I flipped it around in photoshop, and I think framing it in the same orientation as your photo looks as good as it'll get.

While it may be authentic to its age and sentimental value, this was not written by a Japanese person and is not an authentic "good luck flag." It's one of, if not the most obvious fakes I've seen. I know that's not what you were asking, and it's up to you whether to let them know this. Good luck!

 

[mdchachi]

This is clearly not authentic. However it is definitely an authentic "fake" souvenir from those days. Something the grandfather brought home.
So it's a family heirloom regardless. If I were you I wouldn't tell them that it's not a real Japanese-soldier-owned flag -- otherwise you might lose the framing work.
The writing is oriented in both directions so there's no right way.
I think the orientation you have in the picture is maybe the best one but you could ask the family if they have a preference.

 

[StaffordFCo.]

Thanks, folks. I like the term "Genuine Fake", and there's no reason the family of this soldier needs to know it's a fake. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't committing a faux pas in how it was displayed. Thanks for the quick evaluation!