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Grand Rapids Public Museum returns rare Japanese ‘Good Luck Flag’ to soldier’s family in Japan

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By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Japanese “Good Luck” flags are decorated with messages from family members, friends, and community members that wish victory, safety, and good luck for the soldier. (Supplied)

The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) and OBON Society are in the process of returning another Yosegaki Hinomaru or Japanese “Good Luck” flag (circa 1939-1945) from the Museum’s Collections to its rightful family. OBON Society provides reconciliation between American and Japanese families through the return of personal items acquired during World War II.

Japanese “Good Luck” flags are decorated with messages from family members, friends and community members that wish victory, safety and good luck for the soldier. Through extensive research, the GRPM was able to connect with OBON Society to share high-resolution images of the flag for translation. Volunteer Japanese scholars interpret the messages, which can reveal the soldier’s origins, name and location of death. The information obtained from this particular flag in the Museum’s Collections allowed OBON Society to locate the deceased soldier’s niece, who is still living in Japan.

“We are creating a space for people who fought, suffered and grieved because of the war to enter in conversation and have the opportunity for healing and reconciliation,” said a spokesperson from OBON Society. “When news of our work travels around the world, we have witnessed the profound effect it can have on humanity.”

A Grand Rapids Public Museum staff member prepares the Japanese Good Luck flag for return to its family. (Supplied)

The flag is currently in the process of being returned to the soldier’s niece in Japan through OBON Society. The GRPM currently has possession of two more Japanese “Good Luck Flags,” which are logged in the Museum’s Collections database, accessible at grpmcollections.org. The GRPM has provided details about the remaining flags to OBON society, who will continue to search for the family members.

“The GRPM is honored to take care of these important heirlooms,” said Alex Forist, Chief Curator at the GRPM. “It is our hope they will be returned to families in Japan who may not have any other tangible connection to their loved ones who were killed in combat.”