A Long and Twisty Road
Art, a firearms instructor of a different stripe than myself, wrote an interesting post about an odd Japanese flag he picked up somewhere.
I just wrote a very long post where I discuss the meaning of such flags, and speculated as to how it found its way into Art’s hands. But there really is nothing I can say that Art hasn’t said better, so just hit that last link above and go read for yourself.
For anyone who might decide to return Japanese war artifacts home to the Land of the Rising Sun, you might be interested to know that the Japanese consulate in Chicago has an office which handles such requests. You can find out all about it through a very small, 2-page pdf file.
The concept of synchronicity is that stuff just lines up on its own. In this case, both Wonderduck and Steven have just posted thoughtful essays concerning the sacrifices made by Japanese soldiers during WWII. All of it is worth your time.
(Hat tip to James, who first clued me in to Art’s post.)
November 24th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
Greetings from Texas,
Thank you for the kind words James. When I was a kid World War Two was an excellent adventure played out on TV and movie screens. As I grew older and studied history I realized there was a lot more to the story. I have had the privilage of interviewing men on both sides who were there, and from their stories I have come to appreciate the tragedy of war.
Objects like this flag are time machines if you let them be. I can close my eyes and see a room full of people gathered around a table with a flag and paint pots. They add their names, and prayers, and tears.
I can make due with photos, The flag needs to go home.
I am grateful for your assistance in making that happen.
November 24th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
With all respect, I would also consider the wishes of the men who shed blood to win such a flag from the enemy and bring it home.
My uncle, as an armored vehicle mechanic, ended up being used as infantry reinforcements during the Bulge breakout. He brought home a handful of mementoes that he had taken on the field of battle. He bore no deep animosity towards the Germans (as many soldiers and Marines who served in the Pacific would feel towards the Japanese)… but I still don’t think he would have turned a smiling face on me if I had offered to take his trophies down to the German Consulate.
November 24th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
“With all respect, I would also consider the wishes of the men who shed blood to win such a flag from the enemy and bring it home.”
Oh, I agree completely. But don’t forget that Art picked up the flag at a gun show. That means whoever acquired it during the war didn’t mind letting it go later on, and there is not any way to trace the GI who sold it.
December 6th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Such war trophies are very personal. IMO, the flag should have stayed in the family of the one who won it. Once it was given up (probably by a grandchild or inlaw) the best thing became sending it back to the family of one of the original Japanese who had it.