SIGNED JAPANESE FLAG CELEBRATES THE FALL OF NANKING

SIGNED JAPANESE FLAG CELEBRATES THE FALL OF NANKING
SIGNED JAPANESE FLAG CELEBRATES THE FALL OF NANKING
An extremely rare relic, a heavily-inscribed Japanese national "hinomaru" flag celebrating the fall of Nanking, 33.5 x 28.5 in., and bearing approx. 70 unidentified signatures in Japanese kanji, likely by Japanese soldiers present at the battle. The flag has additionally been inscribed with Japanese characters representing various slogans, including 'Fall of Nanking, 'Long live your warrior luck', 'Banzai!', 'Sure Victory', 'Invincible Imperial Army'. The hoist corners contain leather reinforcements, each bearing remnants of cord loops which have since been severed. Two horizontal splits across the red 'hinomaru' sun symbol, some damp stains, one hole at lower right, else very good condition. The 'Rape of Nanking' massacre occurred over a period of six weeks starting on December 13, 1937, the day that the Japanese captured Nanjing. During this period, soldiers of the Imperial Japanese Army murdered Chinese civilians and disarmed combatants who numbered an estimated 40,000 to over 300,000, and perpetrated widespread rape and looting.