Bonhams 1793 : Iwo Jima captured soldier's personal silk Japanese prayer flag February

A captured Japanese silk prayer flag, painted in black ink, decorated with the names of his colleagues and of his Captain, a Nagahisa Muren?, leather corner pieces at the luff with the original cord ties. 28in. x 36in.; together with a dress uniform tunic from a 5th Marine veteran, the tunic bearing the 5th division patch and Sargent's stripes. Small moth hole to the front of the tunic, some light staining and a few small moth holes to the flag.

Sold for US$ 23,750 inc. premium

Footnotes

Provenance:
The War Museum

A poignant relic of the battle of Iwo Jima, the Japanese silk prayer flag, the Yosegaki flag (gathered writing), was carried by most Japanese soldiers in WWII, and was a common form of trophy taken home by US soldiers. These signed prayer flags were farewell gifts and the text is like signatures on a best wishes card that you might give to a departing employee. They were a Bon Voyage souvenir, the larger signature often being the soldier's squadron commander.

Category: Books / Books, Maps and Manuscripts

Auction terms and conditions