Yosegaki flag authentication

Mikemike88 · 24 Jan 2026

Hi, I'm considering purchasing this flag and was just wanting to undertake some due diligence in relation to authenticity. Does the kanji used appear to be of WW2 era (or earlier)? Thanks

NANGI · 27 Jan 2026

Konnichiwa Mikemike88-san!

Unfortunately, I cannot tell if this item is genuine. If this item is genuine, it was made before World War II(1941).

This item contains not only names but also addresses. And that includes everyone's. I think this feature is very rare.

However, there are some parts where addresses that do not actually exist are written.

土岐郡下呂町

It is written at the bottom left, this address does not actually exist.

NANGI

Majestic · 28 Jan 2026

I think its 土岐郡下石町（Toki-gun, Oroshi-chō), which exists.
I agree the addresses on the flags make it very unique, and quite possibly indicate it is authentic. I can't make out the big characters on the left. The right side is 應徴征, but the left I'm not sure. Maybe 君 for the big character on the bottom. Anyway, it would be a good luck phrase for getting drafted and going off to war. Actually 應徴 is more of a Chinese phrase. I don't think its common in Japan.

NANGI · 28 Jan 2026

Konnichiwa Majestic-san!

Wow, You're right! "土岐郡下石町" is correct.

I traveled to 下呂 last year, so it only looked like 下呂. Sorry!

NANGI

Mikemike88 · 29 Jan 2026

Thanks guys for taking the time to consider this item. I think I'll go for it. There was just something about the aesthetics of how the writing was arranged in this particular example that appealed to me. Its funny how that happens sometimes.

Mikemike88 · 29 Jan 2026

Out of interest is it only names and addresses in the smaller kanji or did you spot any slogans?

NANGI · 29 Jan 2026

Konnichiwa Mikemike88-san!

The small characters are name and address, no message included. However, the military rank is written in two places at the bottom right.

分隊長騎兵:cavalry squad leader
陸軍騎兵上等兵:Army cavalry private first class

I also think the big letters on the top right are "應", "徴" and "征". "應徴" means to respond to military conscription. "征" means to go to the front line. Both Japanese words are old words, especially used in legal terms, and were not words used in everyday life even at the time.

The three large letters in the upper left corner are unreadable. However, just guessing, it might be "友", "記" and "君". "友" is a friend, "記" means writting, "君" means you.

This is just a prediction and may not be correctly.

NANGI

Mikemike88 · 30 Jan 2026

NANGI said:
Konnichiwa Mikemike88-san!

The small characters are name and address, no message included. However, the military rank is written in two places at the bottom right.

分隊長騎兵:cavalry squad leader
陸軍騎兵上等兵:Army cavalry private first class

I also think the big letters on the top right are "應", "徴" and "征". "應徴" means to respond to military conscription. "征" means to go to the front line. Both Japanese words are old words, especially used in legal terms, and were not words used in everyday life even at the time.

The three large letters in the upper left corner are unreadable. However, just guessing, it might be "友", "記" and "君". "友" is a friend, "記" means writting, "君" means you.

This is just a prediction and may not be correctly.

NANGI

Your input and efforts are greatly appreciated. Thank you once again.

Mikemike88 · 30 Jan 2026

NANGI said:
Konnichiwa Mikemike88-san!

Unfortunately, I cannot tell if this item is genuine. If this item is genuine, it was made before World War II(1941).

This item contains not only names but also addresses. And that includes everyone's. I think this feature is very rare.

However, there are some parts where addresses that do not actually exist are written.

土岐郡下呂町

It is written at the bottom left, this address does not actually exist.

NANGI

I was wondering about your comment that the flag may be pre World War 2. What indicators are there that led you to that assessment?

NANGI · 30 Jan 2026

Konnichiwa Mikemike88-san!

This Yosegaki is unusual also includes an address. Furthermore, the address can be used to estimate the approximate age of the address based on the merger and abolition of municipalities.

Address "静岡懸中泉町:Nakaizumi Town" is written in the top right corner of the flag. This town merged with other towns and villages to become "磐田町:Iwata Town" in November 1940(about 1941).

This shows that the Yosegaki was made before November 1940.

If this flag was made after November 1940, it would have listed address "磐田町:Iwata Town" instead of "中泉町:Nakaizumi Town".

Yosegaki flag was generally made between the 1930s and 1945. As far as I have researched on the flag, the oldest merged town or village from this period is "中泉町:Nakaizumi Town".

However, please note that some addresses could not be read and not all addresses were checked.

NANGI

Mikemike88 · 30 Jan 2026

NANGI said:
Konnichiwa Mikemike88-san!

This Yosegaki is unusual also includes an address. Furthermore, the address can be used to estimate the approximate age of the address based on the merger and abolition of municipalities.

Address "静岡懸中泉町:Nakaizumi Town" is written in the top right corner of the flag. This town merged with other towns and villages to become "磐田町:Iwata Town" in November 1940(about 1941).

This shows that the Yosegaki was made before November 1940.

If this flag was made after November 1940, it would have listed address "磐田町:Iwata Town" instead of "中泉町:Nakaizumi Town".

Yosegaki flag was generally made between the 1930s and 1945. As far as I have researched on the flag, the oldest merged town or village from this period is "中泉町:Nakaizumi Town".

However, please note that some addresses could not be read and not all addresses were checked.

NANGI

Ah yes, that makes sense. In the past I was researching a surrender tag on a sword and I could see how the stated address changed over the years. Thank you.

Mikemike88 · 15 Feb 2026

I've finally got the flag in hand. I've taken some better close ups of pics for reference. The thing that struck me is an impression that the kanji appears to be neatly written. Perhaps if there was some connection to the legal profession in relation to the recipient of the flag and therefore the signatories, then that would imply a high level of education and therefore the well-written kanji. Interested to hear your thoughts on this?

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