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/
THE COASTAL CRONE 
What a lovely thought. The two now reunited.
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Yes.apparently it was important to the family for them to be “reunited.” The Lex shared a video that was taken at the shrine in Tokyo but the audio was not good and much of it was in Japanese. Still very moving with a glimpse into another culture.
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😊
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A very meaningful ceremony.
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Definitely. Not the same at all perhaps, but rather like a widow/widower or family member being presented an American flag at a veteran’s funeral Thanks for coming by!
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A beautiful ceremony. The family must be so thankful that they are together again and at peace.
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Hello JoNell. For some reason, I wasn’t able to post a comment after reading your post. What an amazing sense of peace that must’ve given he sold his family to receive his good luck flag. After so many years, the museum must be praised for returning this item. Thanks for sharing it with us. Regards, Judith
Judith Baxter Proofreader/CopyEditor Judith@judithbaxter.net.nz T (64) 021797400 https://growingyoungereachday.wordpress.com https://books&morebooks2017.wordpress.com
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I have problems posting comments too – and even likes. Yes, given their culture it meant even more. There have been many other flags that were returned to families when they could be identified. Apparently the flags were taken like souvenirs. The flag had been on display for many years at the museum. They took a really good photo of it and will hang that where the flag was. There will be a written explanation of the true history of the flag. There was never any doubt that the flag would be returned. Take care, Judith,
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Yes, it must have brought the family peace and perhaps closure.
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I’m so glad that you have this record of the completion of the transfer, and that you shared it with us. Both the giving and receiving are important when it comes to any kind of gift, and in this case it was especially wonderful that the family was able to receive it.
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The family did give a gift back at the ceremony and the museum will incorporate it into a display with a photo of the flag and an explanation. I thought I should share the return ceremony also.
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What a touching ceremony! Thanks for sharing.
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And having it in a shrine that was important to the widow made it even more touching, not just a simple, here is your flag,
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Interesting piece of history and culture. Thank you!
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Yes, it was a lesson in the Japanese culture. And a bit like giving someone a lucky charm to take with them. Thanks for stopping by!
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Pleasure! I’ve bee away on Art Gowns. Apologies for the tardy reply!
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No apology needed!
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Oh wow … Just another example of great stories that people need to know. Thanks for this, Jo!
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We sometimes forget that there are stories on the other side of war. I think both should be told. Glad you liked it, Frank.
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Really Nice stories
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Thanks. I thought they were feel-good stories. Thanks for dropping by!
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