WW II Japanese Hinomaru
Often referred to as a meatball.

WW II Japanese Hinomaru
Red disc side, showing the seam.

WW II Japanese Hinomaru
Red disc as viewed from the opposite side.

WW II Japanese Hinomaru
Tie strips and re-enforced corner sections.

This is a WWII Japanese national flag or Hinomaru, often referred to as a Japanese meatball flag by US GI's. It was given to me by my uncle who was in the US Army and served in the Pacific theatre during WWII. It is a professionally made - machine sewn, light weight cotton type. This has a red center disc sewn to one side that shows through a circular opening in the white fabric. Some flags were a full piece of white fabric with a red disc sewn to both sides. It measures 38" x 26". It has the ties strips and re-enforced corners on the end with the ties. Overall it is in excellent condition with no rips or tears and only a few minor stains. It is slightly yellowed and the red disc is faded. Not bad for 67 plus years. My uncle participated in taking one or two islands, unfortunately he has passed and I don't remember which islands he was on or which one this came from.