Hinomaru No Yosegaki Translation Assistance

[Bobby]

Hello: I would appreciate any assistance in the translation of any interesting slogans, owner or presenter's names, locations, etc. in this flag.

Also if it appears to be a genuine period flag.

My apologies for not having better pictures at this time.

Thank you!

[ghp95134]

Right border:

御嶽教普寛元丸阿講社結社長清水清� �
Ontake-kyō Fukan Motomaru Association President Shimizu Seikichi

1. Ontake-kyo (sect of Shinto); also pronounced as Mitake-kyo
2. The surname Shimizu can also be read as Kiyomizu

祈武運長久
Inori Bu'un Chōkyu.
Prayers/Wishes for Continued luck in the fortunes of war

1. When read in Japanese: "Bu'un Chōkyu wo Inorimasu."

To the left of this:

サムハラ
Sa-Mu-Ha-Ra
Neo-Shinto chant to ward off enemy bullets
These are "conrived kanji" and are not in any online dictionary

Four corners right to left, top to bottom
盡忠奉公
Shinchū Hōkō
Devoted Loyalty Public Duty

Left border, middle:
忠勇義烈
Chūyū Giretsu
Loyalty & Bravery is Heroism

The balance of writing are signatures of well-wishers.

Cheers,
-- Guy

[ghp95134]

Double-posted; deleted.

[Bobby]

Thank you Guy! Would it be likely that Shimizu Seikichi, as President of the Shinto Sect, be the giver of the flag? If yes, is the recepient not able to be determined, based on the pictures that I posted?

Are the kanji for "Sa-Mu-Ha-Ra" of any particular interest that indicate that this flag is period correct?

The condition of the flag appears to be very good, including the leather tab corners. Sometimes that gives me pause for concern that such a condition could indicate a post-war "fake". Or perhaps never carried since signed.

[ghp95134]

I think Shimizu Seikichi was president of a seminar group/study group, not the head of that particular Shinto shrine. I ran a cursory google search in English and Japanese on the man's name, and the study group. I can find nothing except for a few references of an 御嶽 Ontake shrine.

I saw no recipient's name. Usually indicated by adding ~kun to the person's name.

Sa-mu-ha-ra shrine (shrines?) still exist; however, I think this flag is pre-1945. Especially given the unusual name of the group who signed the flag. And possibly not every signature were members.

It's a nice flag!!

Cheers,
-- Guy

[Bobby]

Thanks Guy!