Original Yosegaki Hinomaru flag (“Good Luck Flag”) containing a lot of names and slogans. The flag comes fully translated to the buyer (except for the names of the family and friends). The original recipient is First Lieutenant Shinbo. Some of the messages include: “Be ferocious and brave“, “Endure the pain patiently“, “Represent your proud nation” etc.
The hinomaru yosegaki was traditionally presented to a man prior to his induction into the Japanese armed forces or before his deployment. The relatives, neighbors, friends, and co-workers of the person receiving the flag would write their names, good luck messages, exhortations, or other personal messages onto the flag in a formation resembling rays dissipating from the sun, though text was also written on any available space if the flag became crowded with messages.
For the military man stationed far away from home and loved ones, the hinomaru offered communal hopes and prayers to the owner every time the flag was unfolded. It was believed that the flag, with its many signatures and slogans, would provide a combined force or power to see its owner through tough times, as well as reminding the soldier of his duties in the war, with the implication that the performance of that duty meant that the warrior was not expected to return home from battle. Often, departing servicemen would leave behind clipped fingernails and hair, so that his relatives would have something of him in which to hold a funeral.
