Japanese Flag Translation

[Charlie1]

A friend of mine just showed me this flag and was wondering what some of the Kanji said. Sorry for upside down pic

[ghp95134]

This is all written in the same hand. Though seeming fluid, I think the writer is not native Japanese. I'm especially noting the possessive の "no" -- the way it's written seems open instead of curling inward -- or perhaps it's just the writer's style. Hopefully Takasan or someone who is a native-speaker can give an opinion.

The grammar seems backwards to me, i.e.:

[出征軍]
記念の Commemoration's
太平洋 Pacific Ocean
勝利 Victory

I would think the grammar would be:
[出征軍]
太平洋 Pacific Ocean
勝利の Victory's
記念 Commemoration


Additionally, the three square red seals appear to be the same seal -- I would expect different seals, especially one near a title such as "North China HQ".

from 4 o'clock position:

大日本軍の
にく????
勝利記念

Greater Japanese Army's
??????
Victory Commemoration


小林正二郎
出征軍
記念の
太平洋
勝利こ
んちれね
とらほの
わこに ?？
北支那軍司令部

小林正二郎
Kobayashi Shōjirō

出征軍
shusseigun
Front-line soldier

記念の
kinen no
commemoration's

太平洋
taiheiyō
Pacific Ocean

勝利こ
shōri ko
Victory [is "ko" part of the following line???]

[こ]んちれね

とらほの

わこに ?？

北支那軍司令部
Kita shina-gun Shireibu
North China Army HQ

At just right of the 12 o'clock position:

東京市
Tōkyō-shi
Tōkyō City

I noticed three other names .... all the family names are Kobayashi..... I do not have the energy to try any more translations.



Something just does not feel right to me -- then again, I am NOT an expert and I look forward to other comments.

I do not want to condemn the flag outright .... I just have some reservations.

--Guy

[Charlie1]

Thanks for the info.

[Stu W]

After having spent some time looking at this flag I have come to the conclusion, or perhaps suspicion, that it was not period done. Given the availability of known authentic flags I'd not purchase this one if I were you.

Regards,
Stu

[Jareth]

I agree with Stu