BACKGROUND: Most Japanese troops during the second world war carried a personal flag. They had practical as well as patriotic uses, such as marking positions to keep them safe from friendly aircraft while advancing. Typically produced from silk, they where also produced is other materials such as cotton.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: One piece silk example is 36" x 27", with small, triangular leather cardstock reinforcements sewn to its hoist edge corners, from each of which extend short, woven silk tie-strings (one set tie strings is missing). An approximately 16" diameter red "Himaru" is printed to the center of the flag's white field. Handwritten, in black, around the Himaru are numerous kanji characters with various slogans. Interestingly there is a section on the end of this example where it has been folded over and sewn in a half moon shape. What the purpose is of the shape, I’m not sure. Definitely period done for some unknown reason.

GRADE ***                             PRICE $255.00