Last modified: 2025-05-03 by 
zachary harden
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[Ed note; copied from UFE 12-18. Mysterious Okinawan Flag]
Image from Barney Sievers, 5 April 2012
The attached pics of a war souvienor Japanese flag my father (US Army) picked up in Okinowa in the early 1960's seems to be quite a mystery. Any ideas?
Barney Sievers, 5 April 2012
I can provide larger images to anyone off-list if you need them to see finer details. Note: it is not a flag of Okinawa (that was merely where it was acquired).
Rob Raeside, 5 April 2012
I am Toru Fukubayashi, the co-president of POW Research Network Japan. The flag is not the Japanese Naval Flag. Though I am not sure, as the star is a symbol for the Japanese Army and the anchor is for the Japanese Navy, it may be a flag for the local veteran soldier society (both army and navy) of Ofuna Town area, Kanagawa Prefecture. I guess the owner of this flag and the samurai sword was a veteran officer who lived in Ofuna.
Toru Fukubayashi, 2 April 2011
My friend provided me an answer to your flag question. Her father was born in Kyoto in 1948 and has responded. Sorry I could not provide further information, since I don't specialize in flags per se. Here is his quote:
"Just received a reply from my dad regarding the flag. His translation is:
'Community group: OFUNA (community block) branch, group of 5.'"
I hope that helps. Maybe, a group of sea scouts?
Alan Cagle, 3 April 2011
This was the flag of the Fifth Group, Ofuna Combined Branch (now in the city of Kamakura) of the Imperial Veterans Association (Teikoku Zaigo Gunjinkai). That's much closer to Yokohama than
Okinawa!!
Miles Li, 20 October 2012
I'll accept that it would translate that way, if mirrored. The text looks to me to be the wrong way round, though. The emblem, I've seen somewhere on a veterans' pin, I think, and if so the anchor chain is supposed to start sinister. So, it's not just the writing that's on the reverse, but rather I think we're seeing the reverse of the flag. "Veteran", BTW, as from the time that Japan still had offence forces.
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 17 November 2012
image contributed by William Garrison, 13 February 2025
Silk printed flag for unidentified Japanese naval association with printed insignia to the centre; size: 68 x 53 ½ cms.
William Garrison, 13 February 2025
The photo shows the reverse side of the flag.
Attached is a reversed image and the text on the flag
reads “Imperial troops in the townships
Nakayama Village branch Shimoizumi Group".
The flag has right hoist.
Nozomi Kariyasu, 13 February 2025
This was the flag of the Shimoizumi Group (Eighth Group), Nakayama Village Branch of the Imperial Veterans Association (Teikoku Zaigo Gunjinkai).
Miles Li, 14 February 2025