JAPANESE GOOD LUCK FLAG CEREMONIAL REUNION IN TOKYO

August 23, 2023 / The Coastal Crone / 21 Comments

Representatives from the USS Lexington Museum were in Tokyo, Japan recently, to reconnect a family after 80 years of separation, with the return of the Yosegaki Hinomaru or “Good Luck Flag”, that belonged to World War II Japanese soldier Shigeyoshi Mutsuda . The ceremony took place at a national shrine in Tokyo July 29th. The children of Mr.Mutsuda received the flag, viewed as his spirit returning home, that can reunite with his wife who recently passed away at the age of 102.

Steve Banta, Executive Directer of the USS Lexington Museum (left); Toshihiro Mutsuda (right) son of Shigeyoshi Mutsuda (Photo Shuji Kajiyama/AP)

The flag being returned was donated to the USS Lexington Museum in 1994. It was only recently identified as a “Good Luck” flag; signed by family and friends of Japanese service members prior to leaving home for war. For Japanese families, the Good Luck Flags are often all that remains of their loved ones killed in action, and the return of the flag is seen as the return of their family member’s remains.

“Like many women of her time, Mrs. Mutsuda’s husband made the ultimate sacrifice for his country, which left her to provide for all of their family’s needs. The feeling of loss of her soulmate was very difficult, and only eased on rare occasions when she could make the long journey to the national shrine to commune with her husband’s spirit.

This shrine is where the ceremonial reuniting took place, with husband and wife finally finding peace, together.” (From USS Lexington Museum site)

Here is a link to my post about the Reparation Ceremony held July 20, 2023 on the USS Lexington Museum in Corpus Christi, Texas: https://coastalcrone.com/2023/08/09/japanese-good-luck-flag-reparation/

FRIDAY FOTO: MIRROR WITH A VIEW

August 18, 2023 / The Coastal Crone / 23 Comments

From Elizabeth’s at the Art Museum of South Texas; credit unknown

I saw this photo on the Facebook page of a restaurant, Elizabeth’s at the Art Museum of South Texas. The photo was taken inside the restaurant with the mirror reflecting the interior and the USS Lexington Museum across the way. The Art Museum of South Texas is located right beside tihe Corpus Christi Ship Channel and offers views of ships coming in and out of the port. Often one can catch a dolphin playfully breaking the water.

The restaurant is located inside the museum and is available even if you are not visiting the museum. The menu is Mediterranean-inspired and the Turkish coffee is excellent!

JAPANESE GOOD LUCK FLAG REPARATION

August 9, 2023 / The Coastal Crone / 25 Comments

THE JAPANESE GOOD LUCK FLAG

A special ceremony was held July 20,2023 at the USS Lexington Museum; below is a portion of the program.

“A flag donated to the USS Lexington Museum in 1994 was recently identified as belonging to a Japanese soldier named Shigeyoshi Mutsuda, killed in action during World War II. Known as Yosegakki Hinomaru, or Good Luck Flags, these types of flags were signed by family and friends of Japanese service members prior to leaving home for war. For Japanese families, the Good Luck Flags are often all that remains of their loved ones killed in action, and the return of the flag is seen as the return of their family member’s remains.

USS Lexington Museum is working in partnership with the OBON SOCIETY to repatriate the flag back to Japan for the flag to be reunited with the soldier’s surviving family members. OBON SOCIETY is a non-profit organization that over the past 13 years has repatriated more than 500 flags back to Japanese families and communities. The organization’s founders, Rex and Keiko Ziak, will act as representatives of the family to accept the flag and bring their long-lost patriarch home, including a ceremonial reuniting with his wife who recently passed at the age of 102. Representatives from the USS Lexington Museum will accompany OBON SOCIETY to escort the flag on its journey back to Japan and the family.”

MELANIE TEMPLIN, left, Historian/Registrar; RACHELLE BANDA, right, Special Events Coordinator

As part of the ceremony, the flag (encased in a frame) was taken down from its place in an exhibit and presented to the representatives of the Japanese family. Our daughter, on the left, is the Historian/Registrar for the USS Lexington Museum; the woman on the right is also an employee. Those in the back in yellow shirts are volunteers for the museum; many are veterans. The Japanese soldiers would have been able to fold the flag very small and keep it near their heart underneath their uniforms as they went into battle.

As the flag was removed from the exhibit and brought down for presentation, a Japanese song about love and loss was played. It became popular first in Japan and then hit the top of the charts in 1963 in the United States. I remember it well

Below is a link to the ceremony held in the hanger bay of the museum. It is about an hour long but is well done and symbolizes the friendship and strong ties between the two countries today. The flag was returned to members of the Mutsuda family in Japan a week later. I will have a post about that soon. War brings loss and pain for the families on both sides.

FRIDAY FOTO: FARRAH FAWCETT MURAL

August 4, 2023 / The Coastal Crone / 37 Comments

PHOTO BY SON

“SWEET FARRAH” by artist Krystal Cook

This is one of six new murals in downtown Corpus Christi as part of Mural Fest 2023 held in June. The quote at the top right hand corner reads : “Every day is a good day, just some days are better. – Farrah Fawcett” The traffic light and palm tree distract a bit to me, but it is a colorful addition to the downtown area.

Below is a part of the description of the mural on the plaque next to it on the lower left.

This artwork commemorates the late Farrah Fawcett, celebrating her talent and the vibrant city she hailed from. Born in Corpus Christi on February 2nd, 1947, Farrah attended Ray High School before becoming an award-winning actress and beloved international icon. The mural portrays her using black and white imagery, blending her. classical aura with modern elements. Surrounding her are Texas wildflowers, emphasizing the beauty of her hometown.