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Tiger Art Good Luck Flag

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1Nihonto!

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Hello, I recently just purchased this very beautiful different kind of Good luck flag. I have yet to receive it in the mail but committed purchasing it. What are your thoughts on this piece. I have been bitten by the Good Luck Flag bug and trying to learn as much as possible. I recently bought and yet to receive the book Battle carried: Imperial Japanese Tiger Art Good luck flags of ww2. This piece I was told is featured in the book. I have been mostly collecting old Japanese swords mostly old family blades fitted in Gunto and now getting into the flags.
 

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Hi, this is not a good luck flag. It seems to be a senninbari (千人針). Some examples had the tiger drawing pre-printed but I wouldn´t say this one was pre-printed. In this you can find the good luck in battlefield message. It´s a very nice item. Congratulations!!
 
It says "For YAMANAKA Michisuke, praying for your good luck in battle"
Drawn by someone named Natsugumo (or could be pronounced other ways).
 
Dear Majestic,
I researched the name Natsugumo and found there is a Japanese Navy Destroyer named Natsugumo I wonder if it was possible or common to have that information on this piece. I also received the book with this piece listed in it which says the measurements of this piece is 13.5 inches x 42.5 inches and defines it as being either a towel (tenugui) or possibly a headband but it is referenced as an amulet. Anyways, Here is some information about the Japanese Destroyer Natsugumo. The ship was sunk by an American aircraft October 12 1942 170 miles of Savo island during the battle of Guadalcanal. What are your thoughts on this and anybody on this board that might have more information. It may just be the artist name Natsugumo whom painted the Tiger or The Ship. Maybe I am looking too much into this especially if Natsugumo was a common name.
 

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You did an excellent job interpreting Natsugumo which means Summer Cloud in Japanese. It's reference in the book Battle carried they stated that part was difficult to read as either the artist or person presenting the gift.
 

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I think this is likely a cloth meant to be a headband (hachimaki) because of its size, and the fold across the middle. But it could just be a hand towel as well. A sennninbari would likely have embroidery on it. But it is a minor point. All of these items are meant to be good luck charms for the wearer.

Regarding Natsugumo, I think its just a coincidence that it is also the name of a ship. This is because the red seal on your cloth also says "Natsugumo" and this red seal is usually the personal seal of the artist. Also, the ship and its administration wouldn't be presenting any sailor with a cloth for good luck. The cloth is presented by the family.
 
Thank you, that makes sense. It seems unlikely that before being deployed the soldiers or sailors would know the tour or destination including a ship that early in their journey or future tour of duty. Thanks again. You definitely have a gift. Thank you for sharing. Sincerely, George
 
I know this is off topic but I am having a difficult time translating the last kanji character on a 14th century Katana that was cut down on the nakago or tang of the sword. The blade was made by the Aoe School which was a highly revered school of smiths during the Nanbokucho era in early feudal Japan. This blade was fitted in WW2 Gunto fittings and was carried during WW2. The last character is partially cut off. It may be Hide as in Hidetsugu or Suetsugu or Munetsugu. Some don't fit the typical mei or inscription of this school of smiths. I've had it looked at and definitely it has the high quality forging characteristics of this school and age at that time
 

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Nagatsugu is another possibility. Here a a few more pics of mei and nakago
 

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Hard to pinpoint. Definitely could be 秀 (hide) or 永 (naga).
Sue and Mune feel like longshots to me. Well, they both feel like such unlikely candidates, I would focus all of my attention on either 秀 or 永. Unfortunately a very quick search didn't turn up any obvious examples of a mei that uses all of those characters.
 
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