John C

"So" 231. @Bruce Pennington Do you have this one? John C.

Yoshiharu or Yoshimichi perhaps? John C.

The yosegaki hinomaru that wasn’t… sorry for putting this here. Seemed the most logical of the forums. This short monograph is about a flag I bought, or more appropriately the box it came in. I’m sharing this as a small example of rudimentary translation, historical research, and how the potential story can mean more than the item itself. So if interested, get your favorite beverage, sit back and relax, and read on… While perusing an online auction site, I came across this seemingly uninteresting Japanese flag (hinomaru 日の丸) in a box. What intrigued me was the number and variety of labels on the box. I assumed the flag was a modern one. But intrigued none-the-less. Fast forward two weeks and the box arrived. The first thing I noticed was that the flag seemed original – possibly silk or Rayon, silk himo cords on the corners with leather corner stiffeners. A quick measurement confirmed this suspicion with a Silver Ratio of 7:10 Y to X ratio and the center “sun” being 3/5Y (see Nick Komiya’s articles about yosegaki flags on Warrelics.com for an explanation on what this means). So the flag was from the time period; a pleasant surprise. Next, was to tackle the various labels. A dream for practicing a bit of translating and research; though a bit frustrating as it turned out. I do not speak, read, or write Japanese. So I use a technique that I suppose many use, however I wanted to talk a little about it for those who struggle as I do and need a method. As shown in the pictures, there were 4 labels, writing, and a stamp all over the thing. To affect the translation, I started with pictures of the individual labels. I then take screen shots of the labels and, in some cases, part of the labels or individual characters. I drop those pictures into the Google search bar and hit the translate button. Here’s the tricky bit – you can’t trust the translation. It’s always something weird. But it can point you in a direction. So the next step is to reverse the process. I ask google “XXXX (whatever the words were) in Japanese kanji.” I then match the results to the kanji on the label. If it matches, great. If not, then I start putting in the individual characters and repeat the process. Sometimes I use the drawing app to draw the kanji and get an individual word. Eventually, I get to what I believe to be the closest meaning to what is written on the label. I know, it would probably be faster to just learn Japanese. But teaching an old dog new tricks and all that… So get to the results, you ask. Okay, here it is. The first question is whether or not the box is as old as the flag. And I think it is. The writing on the front says “National Flag” and the stamp says “Great Japan National Flag Association.” (大日本國旗協會). The long vertical label in the center translates to Chief Priest of Meiji Jinju Admiral Arima Ryokitsu.” That’s interesting. Why is that there? More on that later, however he lived from 1861 to 1944 so if the label is period, that’s good. The round label translates to roughly “Humbly made by the Japan National Flag Company, Ltd. (日本国旗株式会社)” and their address of Tokyo City, Kyobashi-ku district, Kobikicho (a neighborhood). The important part of knowing that is because the Kyobashi district was merged into another district in 1947. More evidence the label is period. The horizontal label, says “Great Japan National Flag Association.” This was a nationalistic group that promoted the military, nationalism, and the use of the hinomaru flag. If you look at the two sets of kanji marked by arrows, you’ll notice on both labels that those characters are the old style characters used prior to the 1946 revision. This further points to the labels being period. Now to the small label on the back. The kanji means “stop”, however when combined with the .25 yen it most probably means “discontinued” or what we might say in the States “clearance.” The whole package paints an interesting potential picture. An unmarked period flag in a period box labeled with the Greater Japan National Flag Association and the Japan National Flag Company with the label from Chief Priest of Meiji shrine Admiral Arima Ryokitsu. How does it all fit together? Well, Admiral Ryokitsu was the Chief Priest of Meiji Shrine from 1931 to 1943, which matches the period for the box, labels, and the flag. Additionally, flags were sold, and sometimes blessed as an amulet, by various shrines to citizens to be used as yosegaki (寄せ書き) flags. But this flag has no writing and it has a clearance tag. So here’s my theory: the flag was made by the Japan National Flag Company Ltd. for the Greater Japan National Flag Association who donated the flag to the Meiji Shrine sometime before 1943. As it’s chief priest, Admiral Ryokitsu’s label was attached. But the flag never sold. So when Admiral Fujita took over as chief priest in 1944, the flag went on clearance. It must have sold at that time because US fire-bombing destroyed the temple in Feb 1945. And for whatever reason, the flag was never used. Disclaimer: The translations, and therefore the theory, may be completely incorrect. And of course, the true story of the flag/box may never be known. John C.

The label under that one might be interesting as well. John C.

I think I have those in my backyard. Horsetail grass? Not sure what I would use them for. I treat them like weeds, though they are too hardy to get rid of. I guess you could use them as straws? John C.

@Bruce Pennington FYI John C.

Steve: The following passage is from an AI search: The Four Gentlemen (四君子; Sì Jūnzǐ) are plum blossom, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum, representing the four seasons and core Confucian virtues. Deeply rooted in Chinese culture, they symbolize the ideal Confucian scholar (junzi) by embodying resilience, humility, integrity, and grace, often depicted in traditional, meditative ink wash paintings. [1, 2] Key Elements of the Four Gentlemen Plum Blossom (Winter): Symbolizes perseverance and inner beauty, blooming in the cold when other flowers do not. Orchid (Spring): Represents humility and high moral character, often found in remote, quiet places. Bamboo (Summer): Signifies strength, flexibility, and integrity, standing tall yet bending without breaking. Chrysanthemum (Autumn): Represents fortitude and dignity, thriving in the autumn when other plants fade. [1, 2, 3] Confucian Significance The Junzi Ideal: The term jūnzǐ literally means "gentleman" or "noble person." These four plants embody the virtues a Confucian scholar aims to cultivate, including standing firm in adversity (plum) and remaining modest (orchid). Moral Symbolism: They have been used for centuries to represent the four seasons, symbolizing the natural order and harmony, which are key principles in Confucian philosophy. Artistic Practice: Painting the Four Gentlemen is considered a meditative practice to cultivate these virtues, emphasizing a calm, focused, and upright moral nature, notes 0.5.14 in a 0.5.14Korean context. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] Symbolic Meanings in Art The Four Gentlemen have been popular subjects in "Bird-and-Flower" painting for over a thousand years, highlighting the harmony between humanity and nature. These plants represent: [1, 2, 3] Perseverance: Standing against the elements. Purity: Remaining untainted by worldly corruption. Humility: Growing without arrogance. Uprightness: Maintaining moral character. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] In my case, rather than a painting, the artist quoted Li Bai's poem about the orchid carved into a tabako bon. Then he signed it noting "the gentlemen of a cold winter" or words to that effect. This suggests to me he was creating a Confucian theme. The kiseruzutsu, however, has a daruma carved into it - so more Zen Buddhist. John C.

Kind of thought so too when I saw it, Bruce. John C.

Steve: That's interesting as I am also currently doing research on a piece relating to orchids - the Four Flowers/Four Gentlemen and their significance in Confucianism. John C.

Thank you, BJ. Very cool stuff. Your efforts are greatly appreciated. The meaning does make some sense as the "gentleman" could relate to the theme of the orchid. And the "cold winter" could refer to the strength of the orchid surviving and blooming in the spring. I'm not familiar with all of the meaning but it seems to relate somehow to Confucianism, according to some of the research on the Four Flowers / Four Gentlemen (orchid, bamboo, plum flower, chresanthemum). Again, your efforts on this are stellar! John C.

Now I can see the top of the S. John C.

I don't think I could resist putting a lollipop in his hand. John C.

Criss: I'm not seeing the refinement typical of Japanese netsuke. Could be a reproduction. @Scogg Sam: could you plese move to Other Japanese Arts. John C.

I wonder if it is the "he" stamp from Jinsen. John C.

I think the stamped mark is dai, for size large. John C.

Could make a difference if proven to be tied to a specific battle. And more so if tied to a specific samurai in that battle. An equivalent would be a colt 6 shooter vs the same gun owned by Billy the Kid with notches. But it's all about the proof, so not likely to happen. John C.

Very Zatoichi-like. I'm diggin' it. John C.

Right near Kasuga shrine - isn't that where Watanabe Kanenaga had is forge? John C.

Piers: Is that a disguised "fan gun" on the back of the table (last pic)? John C.

George: Did you ever hear back from them? John C.

Thanks again, BJ. I really appreciate not only the translation but also the in depth meaning. It helps to figure out the overall theme intended by the artist. John C.

I have a question about the engraving on the tabako-bon I'm hoping you all could answer. I was concerned the writing was made by a rotary tool of some kind due to the way the carvings have a scalloped edge. I've been able to take some closer pictures and it does not appear to be a rotary tool (the bottom of the carvings are not smooth and some of the areas come to a point). Indeed, the width of the carvings is very thin. It does not look like it was carved with a straight blade or chisel either. If I had to guess, a small circular or semi-circular gouge of some sort. Note the valleys coming off of the scalloped edges into the bottom. Have you all seen this before? Any ideas what tool was used? Thank you for looking. Regards, John C.

Rieker: Sorry to say both are reproductions. The tells are 1) the numbered habaki - the Japanese didn't do that; 2) the western Damascus style steel - not usually a Japanese technique; 3) the sharp ending to the bohi (groove) stopping in the wrong place; 4) the hamon appears to be acid etched or ground on. Price on each would be 50-100 dollars to someone into cosplay or a wall display. Regards, John C.

As this paper is from 1982, you should be okay. The local branch issuing of papers was stopped by 1980 for the incidents with the mafia. John C.

Hello again: I have a better shot of the 4 characters on the front of the tobacco bon from an earlier post. I believe the bottom left is Ne (rat) but not sure of the others. Could be Chinese??? Thank you again, John C.