Hello all,I just received my eagerly awaited package today containing the second senninbari in my collection.Most of you are familiar with the Hinomaru Yosigaki or "Good Luck" flags carried into battle by Japanese soldiers. Encountered a little less often are the Senninbari or "One-thousand stitch" belts. This belt is a little more elaborate than most as it has a 5 sen coin attached and a hand done image of a tiger as well as the knots.The tiger was an inspiration to fight fiercely in battle and was also viewed as travelling long distances seeking its prey and always returning home safely.In Japanese lore the tiger was also considered a messenger to the Gods.Intended to protect the wearer, each knot made the belt more powerful until it finally reached the number 1000. Usually made by a wife, mother or other female family member, the women would often gather knots from other women in the neighborhood,or at bus and train stations in the community. Each knot was done by a different person so it was quite a task to obtain the required 1000 stitches.Unfortunately in many instances,1000 stitches just not enough...Due to the fact this piece does not have tie strings it was most likely carried in a pack or inside the soldiers helmet liner.Although beautiful, to me it is a sobering reminder of the price of war.
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