Autographed good luck flag carried by Japanese soldier Itahara Juni at Finschafen, 1943

Japanese soldier's autographed national flag with slogans and signatures written in black ink characters. The flag was presented to Itahara Juni by a teacher (name cannot be deciphered). The signatures are possibly those of primary school students as the writing is unformed and childish. The slogans written on the flag are 'Serve your country from the bottom of your heart' and 'Concentrate your mind'. The flag bears the seal of the Shinto Susa shrine.

Taken from the pack lying near the body of a dead Japanese bugler at Finschhafen, on 22 September 1943. Flags like this were often presented to a soldier at a farewell dinner prior to their departure on active service.