WW2 Japanese Banner - Need Translation ?

Question

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk80/besunny/WW2Japanesebanner2.jpg

This is one side of a banner or flag a late relative obtained in postwar Japan, in the early months of the American occupation (Aug-Dec 1945).

With it was a note with these words: SHADOW OF THE WEEPING WILLOW. I assume he, or someone else, translated the script.

(On the edit I will add the other side, which looks similar to me, but slightly different.)

A guy who works in a Japanese restaurant here thinks it may have been some kind of veterans group, maybe Japanese saddened over the defeat and occupation of their country.

Anyone want to give it a go, both a translation and the background, or either?  (I don't know if i photographed it right side up!)

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

This is 御蔭會 , Mikagekai.
The old characters of 御蔭会 in the semi-cursive style.

mi 御 : prefix of respect
kage 蔭 : 1) shade of grass or shadow of grass 2) favor or aid (same as okage ,おかげ) 3) cover
kai 會(=会) : meeting , party , society , organization etc

Mikage is Mikageyama , the name of the place in Kyoto.
There is Mikage Shrine.
God of thunder is enshrined here.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/katsuzin13/2952136166/

Mikage Matsuri (Mikage Festival) is celebrated at Mikage Shrine and Kamo Shrine in May.
Mikagekai seems to be the organization that relates to this festival. 
(sorry , link is in Japanese)
http://page.freett.com/james95/kyoto-data/kyoto-event.htm

--
Kamo shrine is famous for Aoi Matsuri. 
Mikage Matsuri is a part of Aoi Matsuri.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamo_Shrine
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aoi_Matsuri
http://kaiwai.city.kyoto.jp/raku/backnum/may07_e/buttone3.html

Srta. Argentina · Answer

Can't read the calligraphy. 

Both sides are the same, and you posted it sideways, fyi. 

I think it's something like æ è­æ

It's shadow of something.

Trending News

WW2 Japanese Banner - Need Translation ?

2 Answers