Page semi-protected

Rising Sun Flag

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Naval Ensign of Japan as in World War II

The Rising Sun Flag (旭日旗, Kyokujitsu-ki) is a Japanese flag that consists of a red disc and sixteen red rays emanating from the disc.[1] Like the Japanese national flag, the Rising Sun Flag symbolizes the sun.

The flag was originally used by feudal warlords in Japan during the Edo period (1603–1868 CE).[2] On May 15, 1870, as a policy of the Meiji government, it was adopted as the war flag of the Imperial Japanese Army, and on October 7, 1889, it was adopted as the naval ensign of the Imperial Japanese Navy.[3]

At present, the flag is flown by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and an eight-ray version is flown by the Japan Self-Defense Forces and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.[2] The rising sun design is also seen in numerous scenes in daily life of Japan, such as in fishermen's banners hoisted to signify large catch of fish, flags to celebrate childbirth, and in flags for seasonal festivities.[4]

The flag is controversial in parts of East Asia, especially in China and Korea, because of its association with Japanese militarism and imperialism.[5][6][7]

History and design

The emblem (mon) of the Kikuchi clan, eight sun-rays (八つ日足紋)
The emblem (mon) of the Ryūzōji clan and Kusano clan, twelve sun-ray variation (変わり十二日足)

The flag of Japan and the symbolism of the rising Sun has held symbolic meaning in Japan since the Asuka period (538–710 CE). The Japanese archipelago is east of the Asian mainland, and is thus where the Sun "rises". In 607 CE, an official correspondence that began with "from the Emperor of the rising sun" was sent to Chinese Emperor Yang of Sui.[8] Japan is often referred to as "the land of the rising sun".[9] In the 12th century work The Tale of the Heike, it was written that different samurai carried drawings of the Sun on their fans.[10]

The Japanese word for Japan is 日本, which is pronounced 'Nihon' or 'Nippon', and literally means "the origin of the sun". The character nichi (日) means "sun" or "day"; hon (本) means "base" or "origin".[11] The compound therefore means "origin of the sun" and is the source of the popular Western epithet "Land of the Rising Sun".[12] The red disc symbolizes the Sun and the red lines are light rays shining from the rising sun.

The design of the Rising Sun Flag (Asahi) has been widely used since ancient times, and a part of it was called "Hiashi" (日足/ひあし) and used as the samurai's crest ("Hiashimon" (日足紋)).[13][14] The flag was especially used by samurai in the Kyushu region. Examples include the "twelve sun-rays" (変わり十二日足) of the Ryūzōji clan (1186–1607 CE) in Hizen Province and the (草野氏) in Chikugo Province, and the "eight sun-rays" (八つ日足紋) of the Kikuchi clan (1070–1554 CE) in Higo Province. There is a theory that in many parts of the Kyushu region, Hizen and Higo are related to what was called "the country of Japan (Hi)".[15][a]

FIAV 001000.svg War flag of the Imperial Japanese Army (1870–1945)

There have been many types of Asahi flags since ancient times, and the design in which light rays spread in all directions without clouds expresses honored day or auspicious events, and was a design that was used for celebrate a good catch, childbirth and seasonal festivities.[16][17][18] A well-known variant of the flag of the sun disc design is the sun disc with 16 red rays in a Siemens star formation. The Rising Sun Flag (旭日 旗, Kyokujitsu-ki) has been used as a traditional national symbol of Japan since at least the Edo period (1603 CE).[2] It is featured in artwork such as ukiyo-e prints, one example being the Lucky Gods' visit to Enoshima ukiyo-e print by Utagawa Yoshiiku in 1869 and the One Hundred Views of Osaka, Three Great Bridges print by Utagawa Kunikazu in 1854. The Fujiyama Tea Co. used it as a wooden box label of Japanese green tea for export in the Meiji period (1880s).[19]

FIAV 000001.svg Naval ensign, flown by ships of the Imperial Japanese Navy (1889–1945). Flag ratio: 2:3.

The Rising Sun Flag was historically used by the daimyō (大名) and Japan's military, particularly the Imperial Japanese Army and the Imperial Japanese Navy. The ensign, known in Japanese as the Jyūrokujō-Kyokujitsu-ki (十六条旭日旗), was first adopted as the war flag on May 15, 1870, and was used until the end of World War II in 1945. It was re-adopted on June 30, 1954, and is now used by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). The Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) use a variation of the Rising Sun Flag with red, white and gold colors.[20]

The design is similar to the flag of Japan, which has a red circle in the center signifying the Sun. The difference compared to the flag of Japan is that the Rising Sun Flag has extra sun rays (16 for the ensign) exemplifying the name of Japan as "The Land of the Rising Sun". The Imperial Japanese Army first adopted the Rising Sun Flag in 1870.[21] The Imperial Japanese Army and the Imperial Japanese Navy both had a version of the flag; the naval ensign was off-set, with the red sun closer to the lanyard side, while the army's version (which was part of the regimental colors) was centered. The flags were used until Japan's surrender in World War II during August 1945. After the establishment of the Japan Self-Defense Forces in 1954, the off-set Rising Sun Flag was re-adopted for the JMSDF and a new 8-rays Rising Sun Flag with a yellow border for the JGSDF and JSDF was approved by the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (SCAP/GHQ). The flag with the off-set sun and 16 rays is the ensign of the Maritime Self-Defense Force, but it was modified with a different color red. The old flag is darker red (RGB #b12d3d) and the post-WW2 modified version is brighter red (RGB #bd0029).[22]

The Imperial Japanese Army flag with symmetrical 16 rays and a 2:3 ratio was abolished. The Japan Self-Defense Forces and the Ground Self-Defense Force use a significantly different Rising Sun Flag with 8-rays and an 8:9 ratio. The edges of the rays are asymmetrical since they form angles 19, 21, 26 and 24 degrees. It also has indentations for the yellow (golden) irregular triangles along borders. The JSDF Rising Sun Flag was adopted by a law/order/decree published in the Official Gazette of June 30, 1954.[22]

Regardless of the military flag, before the Meiji period, the design of Asahi was used for prayers, festivals, celebration events, reconstruction, logos of companies and products, big catch flags (Tairyō-bata), corporate and product logos and sports.[23][24][25][26][27][28]

Present-day use

FIAV 000001.svg The Japanese naval ensign, which is flown by ships of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (established in 1954). It uses a 2:3 ratio.
FIAV 001000.svg The flag of the Japan Self-Defense Forces and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (established in 1954)

Commercially the Rising Sun Flag is used on many products, designs, clothing, posters, beer cans (Asahi Breweries), newspapers (Asahi Shimbun), bands, manga, comics, anime, movies, video games (such as E. Honda's stage of Street Fighter II, although this was removed in the 2021 re-release[29]), as well as appearing elsewhere. The Rising Sun Flag appears on commercial product labels, such as on the cans of one variety of Asahi Breweries lager beer.[30] Among fishermen, the tairyō-ki (大漁旗, "Good Catch Flag") represents their hope for a good catch of fish. Today it is used as a decorative flag on vessels as well as for festivals and events. The Rising Sun Flag is also used at sporting events by the supporters of Japanese teams and individual athletes.[31]

Since June 30, 1954, the Rising Sun Flag has been the war flag and naval ensign of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). JSDF Chief of Staff Katsutoshi Kawano said the Rising Sun Flag is the Maritime Self-Defense Force sailors' "pride".[32] The Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) use the Rising Sun Flag with eight red rays extending outward, called Hachijō-Kyokujitsuki (八条旭日旗). A gold border partially lines the edge.[20]

The flag is also used by non-Japanese, for example, in the emblems of some U.S. military units based in Japan, and by the American blues rock band Hot Tuna, on the cover of its album Live in Japan. It is used as an emblem of the United States Fleet Activities Sasebo, as a patch of the Strike Fighter Squadron 94, a mural at Misawa Air Base, the former insignia of Strike Fighter Squadron 192 and Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System with patches of the 14th Fighter Squadron. Some extreme right-wing groups display it at political protests.[33]

Controversy

As the flag was used by the Imperial Japanese military during Japan's actions during World War II, it is regarded as offensive by some in East Asia, particularly in South Korea[34][35] (which was ruled by Japan) and China.[36] This symbol is often associated with Japanese imperialism in the early 20th century in these two countries.[37][38]

South Korean campaigns against the Rising Sun Flag began in earnest in 2011. In an association football match against Japan, South Korean footballer Ki Sung-yueng was accused of making a racist gesture, sparking outrage in Japan. Ki responded that he had intended to highlight the racism he had experienced at Celtic F.C. and that his "heart shed tears" after he saw the Rising Sun Flag at the match.[39][40] On the other hand, many in Japan insist that the Rising Sun Flag was not in the stadium.[39][41] For this reason, there is a widespread view in Japan that Ki Sung-yueng used the Rising Sun Flag to justify racist gesture.[42][43]

In 2012, South Koreans who disapproved of the flag began to refer to it as a "war crime flag".[44][45] According to political scientist Kan Kimura, in 2012, following Ki Sung-yueng's remarks, Koreans living in New York formed a political group "The Citizens Against War Criminal Symbolism" and started a campaign to equate the Rising Sun Flag with the Nazi swastika and ban it. The following year at the 2013 EAFF East Asian Cup, a banner with a slogan about historical issues with Japan appeared on the Korean cheering squad. As these events were often reported in the Korean media, an international political movement among Koreans to equate the Rising Sun Flag with that of the Nazi swastika and to prohibit it intensified.[46]

Critic Katsumi Murotani, a correspondent of the Jiji Newsletter Seoul in the 1980s, stated that the Rising Sun Flag had not been criticized until recently in South Korea.[47][48] South Korea did not object to Japan's adoption of the Rising Sun Flag for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force in 1952, nor to the entry into South Korean ports Japanese warships flying the flag on a warship at the 1998 and 2008 navy fleet reviews held in South Korea.[49]

When hosting an international fleet review at Jeju Island from October 10 to 14, 2018, South Korea requested all participating countries to display only their national flags and the South Korean flag on their vessels, a request apparently aimed at preventing Japan from flying the Rising Sun Flag, which had been the ensign of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force since it was established in 1954. Japan announced on October 5, 2018 that it would be withdrawing from the fleet review because it could not accept Seoul's request to remove the Rising Sun Flag. Japanese officials say the flag is mandatory for Japan’s naval ships under domestic laws and is widely recognized as identification for the Japanese military under an international maritime convention. On October 6, 2018, JSDF Chief of Staff Katsutoshi Kawano said the Rising Sun Flag was the "pride" of Maritime Self-Defense Force sailors, and that the JMSDF would absolutely not go if they had to remove the flag.[1]

The South Korean parliamentary committee for sports asked the organizers of the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo to ban the Rising Sun Flag, with South Korean lawmaker An Min-suk stating that the Olympics could not proceed peacefully with the flag in the stadium. The organizers refused to ban the flag from venues.[50][51] In September 2019, the Chinese Civil Association for Claiming Compensation from Japan sent a letter to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to ban the flag.[52] According to the Associated Press, the IOC confirmed the receipt of the letter and said in a statement "sports stadiums should be free of any political demonstration. When concerns arise at games time we look at them on a case by case basis."[53]

In 2021, Capcom removed the appearances of the Rising Sun Flag from their re-release of Street Fighter II. Capcom did not provide an official reason for the flag's removal, but it is likely that the flag was removed in an effort not to offend any parts of the Street Fighter community.[29]

The Japanese government's basic position on the Rising Sun Flag is that "claims that the flag is an expression of political assertions or a symbol of militarism are absolutely false."[54] The Sankei Shimbun, a right-wing Japanese newspaper, criticized South Korea's attitude toward the Rising Sun Flag, stating that even the United States, who had opposed Japan during World War II, had not protested formally against the Rising Sun Flag.[55][56] The same newspaper argued that the history of the flag dates back much further than World War II,[57] and that the corporate logo of the Asahi Shimbun, which is praised for being conscientious in South Korea,[58] also uses the rising sun design.[59]

The Japanese Vexillological Association states that the flag was designed for the Japanese army in the early Meiji period, with a different version adopted by naval forces,[57] stating that "Flags used by the military are domestic decisions",[57] arguing that "the Rising Sun flag existed before Japan went to war and the nature of the issue is different from that of the swastika flag, which was created to symbolize the Nazi regime's political ideologies."[57] Former Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida has stated that "There is no country in the world that does not know this flag. The flag can be recognized as Japan's in any sea", with the flag having been adopted for its "recognizability" as the naval flag of the JMSDF.[57]

Examples of the Rising Sun Flag design in use

Art

  • Kabuki actor Bandō Mitsugorō III (c1822)

  • Jiraiya, Sunrise and Boat, ukiyo-e by Utagawa Kunisada (1852).

  • Lucky Gods' visit to Enoshima, ukiyo-e print by Utagawa Yoshiiku, 1869

  • One Hundred Views of Osaka, Three Great Bridges, ukiyo-e print by Utagawa Kunikazu, 1854. The composition shows the morning sun rising behind the Nanhwa Three Bridge.

  • From "Good and evil child's hand", "Kiyomori entrance" (Adachi Ginbo, 1885)

  • "Fugitoshi Fish Entering" (author unknown, 19th century Edo period)

  • The postcard of anti-Tuberculosis groups in Japan (June 27, 1925)

  • Suehiro Tokyo sights - the Edobashi office of Communications and Transportation (1882)

Products

  • Tairyō-bata is a traditional Japanese fisherman's flag. Today it is used as a decorative flag on vessels and for festivals and events.

  • Postcard of a Japanese woman draped in the rising sun flag of Japan (1910).

  • Flag of the Asahi Shimbun Company since 1889

  • Asahi Gold Beer

  • Asahi Beer poster. The Asahi logo is on the bottle label (in 2013, at a pub in Higashiosaka city).

  • Wooden box label (Fujiyama Tea Co.) of Japanese green tea for export in the Meiji/Taisho period. Such a label was called orchid.

  • "Yamagata phone launch anniversary" postcard (Yamagata post office, 1907). Telephone exchange service began in Yamagata on November 26, 1868.

  • Japan raw silk pack sticker (in French and Japanese) (1880)

Sports

  • Japanese footballing fans wave a Rising Sun Flag during a Japan vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina match in January 2008.

  • Japanese athlete Kinue Hitomi at the 1928 Summer Olympics

  • Sumo wrestler Asashio Tarō I with rising sun waves kesho mawashi, 1901

Japan Self-Defense Forces

United States military

See also

Notes

  1. ^ In modern times, it is also used as a simple pattern, for example, Yurikamome Inc. (company), Hinode Station pattern.

References

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "Japan to skip South Korea fleet event over 'rising sun' flag". AP NEWS. October 5, 2018. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Japanese Symbols". Japan Visitor/Japan Tourist Info. Retrieved October 9, 2014.
  3. ^ "船舶旗について" (PDF). Kobe University Repository:Kernel. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
  4. ^ "The Rising Sun Flag As Part Of Japanese Culture" (PDF). Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. November 8, 2019. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  5. ^ Taylor, Adam (June 2, 2015). "Japan has a flag problem, too". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
  6. ^ "'Symbol of the devil': Why South Korea wants Japan to ban the Rising Sun flag from the Tokyo Olympics". CNN. September 7, 2019. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  7. ^ "South Korea compares Japan's 'rising sun' flag to swastika as Olympic row deepens". the Guardian. October 29, 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  8. ^ Dyer 1909, p. 24
  9. ^ Edgington 2003, pp. 123–124
  10. ^ Itoh 2003, p. 205
  11. ^ "Where does the name Japan come from?". Retrieved January 29, 2017.
  12. ^ Piggott, Joan R. (1997). The emergence of Japanese kingship. Stanford University Press. pp. 143–144. ISBN 978-0-8047-2832-4.
  13. ^ "日足紋". www.harimaya.com.
  14. ^ "家紋の由来". www.harimaya.com.
  15. ^ "見聞諸家紋". www2.harimaya.com.
  16. ^ 韓国世論「旭日旗とナチス党旗を同一視」の大いなる誤解 2013年4月16日
  17. ^ 中国においても、広東語で通勝と称される中国古来の黄暦には、古くから春牛図が描かれており、その図中の日の意匠は日本の旭日に類似していた（豊作祈願）芒神春牛圖
  18. ^ Rising Sun Flag Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
  19. ^ Designer Idezaka (September 9, 2013). 浮世絵と西洋の出合い 戦前の輸出茶ラベルの魅力 [Ukiyo-e and Western encounter The charm of the exported tea label before the war]. Nikkei Style (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 4, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
  20. ^ Jump up to: a b "自衛隊法施行令" [Self-Defense Forces Law Enforcement Order] (in Japanese). Government of Japan. June 3, 1954. Retrieved January 25, 2008.
  21. ^ "海軍旗の由来". kwn.ne.jp. Retrieved October 6, 2011.
  22. ^ Jump up to: a b Phil Nelson; various. "Japanese military flags". Flags of the World. Flagspot.
  23. ^ "神戸新聞NEXT｜淡路｜新造船、鮮やか大漁旗まとい進水式 淡路市". www.kobe-np.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved October 12, 2018.
  24. ^ "天然マダイ船１２年ぶり進水 糸島の船越漁港". 西日本新聞Web (in Japanese). Retrieved October 12, 2018.
  25. ^ "【オリックス】新守護神・増井、「大漁旗」モチーフ応援グッズ発売". スポーツ報知 (in Japanese). April 3, 2018. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
  26. ^ "オリックス増井応援グッズは故郷焼津市の大漁旗原案 – プロ野球 : 日刊スポーツ". nikkansports.com (in Japanese). Retrieved October 12, 2018.
  27. ^ "宗像大社みあれ祭：大漁旗はためかせパレード – 毎日新聞". 毎日新聞 (in Japanese). Retrieved October 12, 2018.
  28. ^ "＜塩釜みなと祭＞震災と豪雨復興願う 御座船、松島湾巡る「頑張ろう西日本！」掲げた船も". 河北新報オンラインニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved October 12, 2018.
  29. ^ Jump up to: a b "Rising Sun removed from 'Street Fighter II' background in game's latest rerelease". JAPAN TODAY. February 22, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
  30. ^ "Asahi Beer New Design". Japan Visitor Blog. December 12, 2011.
  31. ^ "A great decade for Japan". FIFATV. December 1, 2012.
  32. ^ "Japan to skip S. Korea fleet event over 'rising sun' flag". The Asahi Shimbun. October 6, 2018. Archived from the original on October 6, 2018. Retrieved October 7, 2018.
  33. ^ "World: Asia-Pacific Reprise for Japan's anthem". BBC News. August 15, 1999.
  34. ^ "'Rising Sun' art sets off bashing".
  35. ^ "Here's why #CancelKorea is trending on Twitter". GMA News Online.
  36. ^ Taylor, Adam (June 2, 2015). "Japan has a flag problem, too". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
  37. ^ "Korean lawmakers adopt resolution calling on Japan not to use rising sun flag". Korea Herald. August 29, 2012. Retrieved September 18, 2012.
  38. ^ Bill McMichael (August 2, 2011). "That Flag". Navy Times Scoop Deck.
  39. ^ Jump up to: a b "South Korean footballer's monkey impression angers Japan". The Guardian. January 28, 2011. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020.
  40. ^ "「旭日旗」問題の契機はサッカー・アジア杯 奥薗静岡県立大准教授" [Rising Sun Flag controversy began at an Asian Cup Football match – Associate Professor of the University of Shizuoka Okuzono]. Sankei Shimbun. October 5, 2018. Archived from the original on October 6, 2018.
  41. ^ "Why did a Korean soccer player insult the Japanese by mimicking a monkey?". MSN News. February 2, 2011. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016.
  42. ^ "Why is Asahi Shimbun OK? South Korea's campaign to oust the Rising Sun Flag has been inconsistent". J-CAST News. August 6, 2013. Archived from the original on February 15, 2021.
  43. ^ "The power hidden in South Korea's campaign against the Rising Sun Flag. The target is also South Korea's leading companies, entertainers and toys". Yahoo News Japan. March 4, 2021. Archived from the original on March 4, 2021.
  44. ^ "[Why] 욱일기 때문에 불참통보한 일본군함, 우린 왜 지금 더 분노하나" [[Why] The Japanese warship conveyed an absence. Why are we angry now?]. The Chosun Ilbo. October 6, 2018. Archived from the original on October 6, 2018.
  45. ^ "[팩트체크] 욱일기는 전범기? '전범기'는 없다" [[Fact check] Rising Sun Flag is war crime flag? There is no "war crime flag"]. News True or Fake. October 6, 2018. In the picture above, the word "war crime flag" was first used in Korea in August 2012.
  46. ^ Kan Kimura. "New Aspects of Korean Nationalism Seen in the Rising Sun Flag Problem" (PDF). Journal of International Cooperation Studies, Vol.27, No.1. pp. 31–37. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 12, 2020. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  47. ^ ‘영국에서도 욱일기가?’ 日, 욱일기 흔든 사례보니…일간스포츠 中央日報 2013年7月31日
  48. ^ 「日本は意味分かっている」 旭日旗使用で韓国外務省 共同通信 2013年8月2日
  49. ^ "[특파원 칼럼] 대일외교, '감정'보다 '사실' 앞세워야" [Foreign diplomacy, Put forward "fact" rather than "emotion"]. Korea Economic Daily. October 12, 2018.
  50. ^ "'Symbol of the devil': Why South Korea wants Japan to ban the Rising Sun flag from the Tokyo Olympics". September 7, 2019.
  51. ^ "Democratic Party lawmaker proposes resolution opposing Rising Sun Flag in Ntl. Assembly". October 2, 2019.
  52. ^ "China group asks IOC to ban 'rising sun' flag at Tokyo Olympics". September 2, 2019. Archived from the original on October 1, 2019.
  53. ^ "S. Korea urges IOC to ban Japanese imperial flag from 2020 Olympics". Kyodo News. September 12, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  54. ^ "Rising Sun Flag: Japan's basic position (Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary SUGA, September 26, 2013(AM))". MOFA, Japan. November 8, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  55. ^ 韓国の反日から旭日旗の名誉を守れ （第三段 国際社会は受け入れ） 産経新聞 2013年8月3日
  56. ^ "日本の艦艇、旭日旗を掲げて韓国に入港し物議＝韓国ネット���...｜". レコードチャイナ. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  57. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e "Why the Uproar Over Japan's Rising Sun Flag? It's A Symbol for Celebrating Life and Bounty". Sankei Shimbun, Japan Forward. December 19, 2018. Archived from the original on January 17, 2021.
  58. ^ "日우파기자가 밝힌 우파들의 본심" [Real intention of the rightist revealed by a Japanese rightist reporter]. The Chosun Ilbo.
  59. ^ 皆川豪志. "なぜ韓国人は、朝日の社旗に怒らないのか,繰り返されるマッチポンプ". iRONNA. 産経デジタル. Retrieved May 18, 2018.

External links

Retrieved from ""