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Japan Flag
SKU: JPN35P
The national flag of Japan known as the Hi-no-maru has a crimson disc, symbolizing the sun, in the center of a white field. The term "Hi-no-maru" translates literally from Japanese as Sun (or Lotus). Legends state that at the time of the Mongol Invasions of Japan (1274 and 1281) the priest Nichiren presented a sun flag to the shogun. Nichiren, who's own name is derived from the Japanese terms Nichi (Nihon) meaning sun and Ren meaning lotus, were seen as strong symbols of the Buddhist faith. He gave the flag bearing the sun (and lotus) to the Shogun who was then an adversary of the Emperor who himself was seen by his people as a Shinto god. The Tokugawa shogunate (1603-1867) adopted the flag for its ships in the early 1600s and later decreed in the mid-19th century that all Japanese ships would fly flags with the sun on a white field. In 1870 the Meiji government officially designated it for use on Japanese merchant and naval ships. The "rising-sun" flag with its 16 rays which was used by the former Japanese navy and presently by the Maritime Self Defense Forces is a military service flag and has never been officially designated as the national flag. One should also note that the Hi-no-maru was not officially designated as the national flag until 1999, after having risen out of customary use by the Japanese people and its institutions. The Japanese Hi-no-maru is a strong symbol of a nation with a strong past. Today Nichiren is seen as a hero in that modern day Japan is predominately Buddhist compared to its Shintoist past. Many members of the National Diet (Parliament) can trace their roots and political affiliation back to the Nichiren and his flag presentation. Flag Measures 36 in x 60 in and is 100% polyester with grommets for easy flying.
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