1944 Japanese Saipan Battle Flag

[Lynn Allen]

Where could one go to have the writing on a battle flag translated so I can find about the history of it and what company used it?

TIA,

Lynn

[The Inspector]

Just about any larger University that has foreign language schools, big time international legal offices, a counsulate or Embassy in a major city like Houston or Dallas should be able to assist you.
Maybe even give you the true Kanji characters for that biker tattoo you've been wanting too!

[Hemiman]

Lynn..

A friend down the street is Japanese and translated two of my "Good Luck" flags, abet with some difficulty. Seems that the japanese "kanji" used during the war is different that what is used today. If you could post a pic, I can show it to him and see what he can do.

Bill

[turret nate]

I collect alot of Japanese WW2 items myself. I spend some time over at www.gunboards.com , they have a Japanese forum. A number of guys there will translate the old Kanji. If you register there, and make a new post requesting translation with a good picture and someone will help you out.

[Hemiman]

Nate..

kinda addictive, ain't it?? glad the Japanese stuff is cheaper than German! Dad brought back a couple trinkets, so I just added on!

[armyjunk2]

These guys will always translate something for you, give them a good pic.......look at the Translation Requests

http://forum.axishistory.com/viewforum.php?f=65

they translated this for me, take a look its kind of interesting notice the date of the incription, a year after the allies captured the island.

http://www.cdsg.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=33

[tom d. friedman]

Where could one go to have the writing on a battle flag translated so I can find about the history of it and what company used it?

TIA,

Lynn

email me the pic of the flag & i'll forward it it to a friend who has a japanese wife. she has translated many japanese items for me. fbt9598@yahoo.com.

[tom d. friedman]

Nate..

kinda addictive, ain't it?? glad the Japanese stuff is cheaper than German! Dad brought back a couple trinkets, so I just added on!

nice type 94 & type 14 nambu pistols. i had both w/ the type 14 holster. my type 14 had battle damage on the grip metal, a unique piece. had to sell them both though to meet the bills!!

[armyjunk2]

They have a good thread going on right now about Japanese flags, taki is very knowledgeable about all things Japanese

http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic. ... &start=465

[Hemiman]

They have a good thread going on right now about Japanese flags, taki is very knowledgeable about all things Japanese

http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic. ... &start=465

AJ2..
A very good info site for sure!! Guys are extremely helpful!

Tom..

I know that feeling all too well... many of the play toys left when the Mills went down in the early 80"s. I take both the 14 and 94 out with the 45.. Not too shabby accuracy wise with these old warhorses..

Bill

[John Ceglarek]

I also have a flag that my dad brought back. Tom, would you be willing to send a photo of it to your friend for translation? It'll take me a few days before I can photograph it, but if you're willing I'll get to it as soon as I can. I'm moving my mom into an alzheimer's facility this week, and my free time is at a minimum right now.

Thanks,

John

[Lynn Allen]

Where could one go to have the writing on a battle flag translated so I can find about the history of it and what company used it?

TIA,

Lynn

email me the pic of the flag & i'll forward it it to a friend who has a japanese wife. she has translated many japanese items for me. fbt9598@yahoo.com.

Thanks Tom, I'll get a picture or two it tomorrow and send it your way...

[turret nate]

You are right Hemiman about Japanese being more affordable. You can still find decent deals on rifles. The Nambus seem to be up in price though. I think there is more interest after movies like Letters from Iwo Jima, The Pacific, etc.

8mm Nambu is pricey and can be hard to find. Do you have a good source? The Type 14 seems to suffer from weak war time springs. Wolff Gunsprings makes new springs for the Nambu pistols:
http://www.gunsprings.com/index.cfm?page=items&cID=1&mID=44

The prize of the collection is a registered Type 99 LMG. Here is a video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBLiT_0wwM4

New 7.7x58 runs over $1 a round but I can get it to about .25 on reloads - I buy the 440 round spam cans of 7.62x54R, pull the bullets apart and re-use 90% of the Russian powder load and the pulled bullet in my re-formed brass. Sorry to go off topic but I wanted to share this unique piece of history with you fellow Japanese collectors.

[tom d. friedman]

I also have a flag that my dad brought back. Tom, would you be willing to send a photo of it to your friend for translation? It'll take me a few days before I can photograph it, but if you're willing I'll get to it as soon as I can. I'm moving my mom into an alzheimer's facility this week, and my free time is at a minimum right now.

Thanks,

John

glad to do it john!! just email it to me!! good luck with your mom, alzheimers is rough to watch. both of my inlaws had it.

[Hemiman]

Better late than never....

Bill-san
Can you believe that I found the person who wrote the phrase in bold chinese letters?
His name is Yoshio Yanagibashi (1915-2007) and stationed as a soldier in Pohnapei Island where locates about one thousand miles southeast of Guam.

Meaning of the phrase.
1. 8 bold letters: With sincere heart, serve to the public. Upon achieving duty, leave your fate to God.　Yoshio

2. Long sentence with small letters:　Farewell（Good-by) now. I shall wait your return safely to the home country, upon performing exploit. Shoujyudou

3.Center of the flag: Yanagibashi Yoshio (family name & first name)

Bill-san, I hope you would understand the meaning of my translation.
Should you have any question of this flag, please do not hesitate to ask me anyting. Tom