Japanese Flag Translation

[Wedgehead30]

I recently obtained this flag from the estate of a local veteran. Can anyone give me an idea of what is written on it? Sorry if it's upside down. I can post additional pictures.
Thanks,
Scott

[MAP]

Here it is right side up.

[ghp95134]

Phew!

正氣
Shōki
Sanity; Senses: Become Conscious
気 is the modern version of 氣

不惜身命惜身命
柏鳳
Fu-shakushinmyō Shakushinmyō
Kashiwaotori

"Don't spare your life for a worthy cause; yet, spare [value] your life."
Oaken Phoenix
[the calligrapher's art name]

[poem in hiragana that I cannot read]
大和魂
yamatodamashī
Japanese spirit

不惜身命 is a Buddhist phrase; the kanji 不 is a prefix-negation, much like "un~" or "non~" in English. Here is another example I found; you might get a better understanding of "without X, do X"

これを旗印にすることは「不惜身命」（ふしゃくしんみょう：仏法のために身命をささげて惜しまないこと）を意味するといわれている。

It is said that using them as the emblem on a flag means 'fushakushinmyo' (to generously devote one's body and life to the Buddhist law).

--Guy