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Antarctic exploration ships, 1912 (Japan)

Last modified: 2023-06-03 by zachary harden
Keywords: japan | stars: southern cross | southern cross |
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[flag of Japanese Antarctic esploration ships]
by Jaume Ollé


See also:


Japan and the Antarctic

According to a page on Nobu Shirase, Japanese Antarctic explorer, he originally aiming to reach the South Pole first.
Shirase's expedition explored King Edward VII Land.
A photo on the page shows a flag raising on 28 January 1912 and notes:

He and his men lined up before dawn at south latitude 80o 05', the furthest southern point they would achieve, and stood beneath the Japanese flag to salute the Emperor with a traditional Banzai ceremony.

A short biography of Shirase is located at www.ndl.go.jp.
Jan Mertens, 15 November 2008


[flag of Japanese Antarctic esploration ships]
image located by Nozomi Kariyasu, 02 April 2014

In 1912 Nobu Shirase led the first Japanese exploration team to successfully reach the Antarctic. The blue flag was hoisted on the main mast of the "Kainanmaru" the vessel which was used on the landmark expedition. The flag is called "Southern Cross Flag" and its four stars joined together in a diamond shape which express ideas of firm unity and reliance.
Nozomi Kariyasu, 02 April 2014