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Houseflags of Kawasaki Kisen K.K.

Last modified: 2023-06-03 by zachary harden
Keywords: maritime shipping | kawasaka kisen | k line | kawasaki | heiwa kisen | iino kaiun | taiyo kaiun |
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See also:

K. Line
Kawasaki Dockyard Co.
Kawasaki S.S. Co.
Kokusai Kisen Kaisha

[K Line] image by Jarig Bakker
Source: Brown's Flags and Funnels of British and Foreign Steamship Companies, 1926 [wed26]

Kobe - red flag, white "K".
Jarig Bakker, 14 February 2005


Kokusai Kisan Kaisha (dates unknown)

[Kokusai Kisan Kaisha] image by Ivan Sache, 13 April 2007

The flag of Kokusai Kisan Kaisha is shown in a brochure of the Kokusai Line "Far East-North Europe Fast Service 1937".

The flag in question is red having two wide horizontal edges, white, and bears a large initial ‘A’ (no serifs) in the centre; the initial touches the white edges.

Quoting from the K Line history pages:

"1921 / May / Kawasaki Kisen joins together with Kawasaki Zosen and Kokusai Kisen to form "K" Line".

and especially:

Kawasaki Zosen established Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha after its president, Kojiro Matsukata, reached the conclusion that Japan must develop a shipping industry to rival those of the U.S. and U.K. using Japanese-made ships (…).

(with a table showing Kokusai’s fleet strength compared to two competitors)

Kokusai Kisen Kabushiki Kaisha was established jointly by Kawasaki Kisen, Kawasaki Zosen, Suzuki Shoten and other supporting companies in the aim of consolidating their fleets into a more globally competitive one."

Jan Mertens, 7 April 2007


Heiwa Kisen K.K.

[Heiwa Kisen K.K.] image by Phil Nelson
Source: Flags, Funnels and Hull Colours, 1963 [ste63]

Heiwa Kisen K.K., which is now part of Kawasaki Kisen K.K., was formed 1944 and changed its flag at some point to just having a white "H" on the red band.
Neale Rosanoski, 5 March 2003


Iino Kaiun K.K.

[Iino Kaiun K.K.] image by Jarig Bakker, 8 September 2005
Source: Brown’s Flags and Funnels of Shipping Companies of the World, 1995 [lgr95]

Stewart and Styring rendition
[Iino Kaiun K.K.] image by Phil Nelson
Source: Flags, Funnels and Hull Colours, 1963 [ste63]

Iino Kaiun K.K. Formed 1918. The internal symbol vertical line is straight, not angled as shown. The flag was also used by Iino Kisen K.K. which as an associate company set up to own the dry cargo fleet of the group ready for the 1964 merger into Kawasaki Kisen K.K. Iino Kaiun K.K. at that stage operated tankers only and has continued as a separate identity in the Kawasaki group but now has a varied trade.
Neale Rosanoski, 5 March 2003


Kawasaki Kisen K.K.

company flag
[Kawasaki Kisen K.K.]
image by Jorge Candeias, 16 June 2006
Erroneously reported images
[erroneous Kawasaki Kisen K.K.]
[erroneous Kawasaki Kisen K.K.]
image by Jorge Candeias, 16 June 2006 image by Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 2 January 2008

Kawasaki Kisen K.K. formed 1919 and part of the Kawasaki Jukogyu K.K. group with the flag being used by group. Some sources between the world wars show a red flag with a white K but the company confirms that it never existed.
Neale Rosanoski, 5 March 2003


Taiyo Kaiun K.K.

[Taiyo Kaiun K.K.] image by Phil Nelson
Source: Flags, Funnels and Hull Colours, 1963 [ste63]

Taiyo Kaiun K.K. Formed 1917 and still operating as part of the Kawasaki Kisen K.K. group. Translates as Ocean Transport Co. Ltd.
Neale Rosanoski, 5 March 2003