Two questions: Can anyone read kanji, and can you iron really old silk?

[Caliga]

Flag #2.  When I was unrolling this flag for the photo, I noticed for the first time that it has a small tag in the lower right corner (out of the frame) which reads "Eniwetok 1943".  My guess is that this soldier was killed during the Battle of Eniwetok Atoll, which occurred from February 17th to February 23rd, 1944, the result of which was that the Japanese garrison was almost completely wiped out (as usual).  I think the guy was referring to that battle and just got confused about the date.

[Lettow77]

 It is so incredible that you have these.  Put it to a Japanese friend just now- he could not read some of it, but at the bottom it says 'Will of Heaven', and ' Luck in combat, may it last' at the top.

He had more, but it was fragments.  Devotion, loyalty, Japanese Spirit, and such.

[Caliga]

Given the extreme reverence with which the Japanese view their ancestors, I am debating making an attempt to return the flags to Japan.  I wish there was a Japanese consulate in Louisville, but it looks like the closest one is in Nashville.

[Grey Fox]

Keep it! War Spoils.

[Lettow77]

 Update: funny you mentioned it, because my Japanese friend is angry you have it. He is something of a nationalist, and thinks disrespect was meant by its condition. He said he'd be interested in buying it off you?

[Caliga]

I'm not selling them, period.  Either I'm keeping them, or I'll return them to their families... somehow.

[Lettow77]

 He says there are also signatures on it, by the way. Somehow he did not mention that previously.

If its a collective battle flag, I am not sure returning it to 'families' is quite practical. Is selling it to a Japanese person who admires the combatants of his country in WW2 not quite close enough?

Still, I admire your sentiment re: selling it.

(And this is a great guy. He loves the Confederacy, and I love Japan. We get on really well.)

[jimmy olsen]

Aside from the wrinkles it looks like it's in great condition, I'd talk to a professional about cleaning it rather than trying to do it yourself.

[Caliga]

Lettuce, read back through the thread.  When Japanese soldiers were notified that they were to be deployed to the front, it was customary for a village/school to make one of these and the soldier's classmates and family signed them and wrote goodwill messages along with their signatures, and the soldiers carried them personally.  They were commonly looted from dead soldiers, who often tied them around their heads or waists while going into battle (and especially before something like a banzai charge).

[Admiral Yi]

Lettuce's buddy will be gladdened by the condition of the flag in the last pic.

[HisMajestyBOB]

If you send it back to Japan, write "Dokdo Belongs to Korea!" on it first.

[Caliga]

Maybe I will return them in exchange for Fujiko Kano.

[Grey Fox]

Stop with teh stupid "lets return it" idea. Returning it would be trashing the memories of American soldiers.

Why do you hate America, Caliga?

[Monoriu]

You have it upside down 

Corrected.

Jeez this is even worse - the pic is now a mirror image of itself 

You got the wrong side.

[Monoriu]

Flag number 2 is displayed correctly