1. #1
    ...and would be willing to help me decipher something?

    I was recently gifted a WWII IJ soldier's personal battle flag that was taken on Kwajalein Atoll in February 1944. The flag has some Japanese phrases as well as some signatures.

    I understand (through some preliminary research) that the signatures should signify both the owner's name as well as some of his friends and relatives wishing him well in battle.

    As a proof of peytance/credentials, I also have a photo album with an original picture of him holding it on location shortly after/during the battle (plus many others not deemed appropriate or NSFW).

    If anyone can help with this translation I would greatly appreciate it. Attached is a picture I took for such a purpose.




    TB
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  2. #2
    Treetop64's Avatar Senior Member
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    Well, there's very little Hiragana, and no Katakana, and I can't read Kanji, so no; I am of no use...
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  3. #3
    Cajun76's Avatar Senior Member
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    Try FlatSpinMan or Icefire. There's others I'm sure.

    My writing looks exactly like that, but it's English. Thank goodness for keyboards!
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  4. #4
    I hope this thread stays alive because I am very curious to see what that stuff says.
    Wish I could help.
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  5. #5
    I'll run it by my wife when she gets back from her parents place. I can only make out a couple of the Kanji, and I keep thinking one of them is 'sushi', but I'm guessing it really isn't.
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  6. #6
    Actually it looks like it might be names, at a scientific guess. Am I right in thinking that there is writing on both sides? If you can post anotherpic or two it'd be handy. That cursive script is a buggar even for Japanese to read. My wife's aunt does calligraphy and she sometimes can't actually red what she has written. Seems a touch pointless but hey, I make missions for computer games.
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  7. #7
    Well, I'm fairly sure there's a phrase or two (probably the large font and the others in bold) but you are correct in thinking the others are names.

    The names should be the names of friends and relatives who would sign the individual's flag to give him support and positive energy for battle.

    Also, it's written and signed in ink so it shows through both sides. I really don't know which side is the "front" and just guessed when I took the picture (though my wife seems to think the side shown is the front).

    I have a few other close-up pictures and am going to attempt to remove some of the wrinkles this evening which should make them more legible.

    Thanks for all the help and replies.


    TB
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  8. #8
    Here are a couple more pics:




    I took them in high resolution and can email them if you'd like (to better see them and blow them up perhaps). As I said, I'll attempt to take some better ones this evening after removing some of the fold wrinkles.
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  9. #9
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  10. #10
    danjama's Avatar Banned
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    Japanese writing is beautiful. Sorry i can't help.
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