WW2 Japanese Going to War Banner 115″ X 27″

This item is a Japanese “Going to War” banner dating from the World War II era, measuring approximately 115 inches by 27 inches. These banners, known as “sashimono” or “good luck banners,” were traditionally presented to soldiers by family members, friends, or local communities prior to their deployment. The purpose was to convey best wishes, express patriotic support, and inspire the recipient with messages of encouragement or nationalistic slogans. Typically made from cloth, banners of this type often feature calligraphic Japanese script and, at times, symbolic motifs or the Japanese national flag. This example retains its original size and displays period-appropriate construction techniques characteristic of mid-20th-century Japanese textiles. Going to War banners played a significant cultural role, reflecting societal attitudes and the mobilization efforts of wartime Japan. They remain important artifacts for the study of military history, social customs, and commemorative practices during the Second World War.