In two critical junctures in the naval history of Japan, a now famous symbol was used to exhort the men aboard ships to do their absolute best as the fate of Imperial Japan hung in the balance. What was this symbol and when were the two times it was used? +++++++++++++++ 09-25-03, 11:04 AM DorianGreyed I can only guess at the symbol, but I think it is Mt. Fujiyama. The only other possibilities I can think of would be a chrysanthemum or the words "Divine Wind." The royal throne in Japan is also known as the Chrysanthemum Throne, and Japan was saved from the Mongols by the "Divine Wind" that drove the Mongols away from the island. In the West, the words for Devine Wind are spelled kamikazi. My scant knowledge of Japanese history is little help, but I would assume that the two occasions were the naval war with Russia in 1905 (where they were saved by the idiocy of the Russian naval commander), and near the end of WW II, with the kamikazi pilots.
Regardless of the answers, I found this an interesting question, and enjoyed thinking about it. thanks, Kwll.
09-25-03, 12:31 PM Kwll DG, you got the first event but the wrong symbol. Maybe this will help, it was an actual signal that was sent as well.
09-25-03, 02:16 PM DorianGreyed In that case, I think I have it, and, so as not to take the tiger's share of the fun, will let others try.
09-26-03, 06:54 AM Kwll Sorry, Miles, those are code words, not symbols and did not have anything to do with the first event in 1905. Smile
09-26-03, 02:44 PM DorianGreyed In that case, I do not know, and surrender! But let others try.
09-26-03, 03:59 PM Kwll Well, if dg is stumped I'm sure we need a hint. This signal did not become a symbol until after it flew from the Mikasa, Admiral Togo's flagship.
09-28-03, 01:54 PM DorianGreyed Since no one else is willing to guess the obvious, I will say the rising sun flag.
09-29-03, 08:10 AM Kwll Dg, I will say it is a flag, but the wrong one in this case.
09-29-03, 08:26 AM clarebear The Japanese Imperial Navy Flag
09-29-03, 09:21 AM Kwll Good try Clare, but again incorrect. This flag was flown at two critical junctures in Japan's Naval History. The flag still flies to this day in Yokosuka.
09-29-03, 01:55 PM clarebear Ok.. this is getting tricky!
Is it the Z Flag?
09-29-03, 01:58 PM Sailracer You beat me to it Clare:
09-29-03, 02:00 PM Kwll Excellent response clare, you got it. The Z-flag was raised by Admiral Togo during the Battle of Tsushima Straits in 1905 to exhort his sailors to do their best. The same flag was raised by Admiral Nagumo prior to the launch of the first wave in the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. The flag still flies on Admiral Togo's flagship, "The Mikasa" near Tokyo. A ship I am happy to say I was able to visit during a military cultural exchange trip. http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/jp_zflag.html
09-29-03, 04:45 PM clarebear Very cool question! Smile
09-30-03, 01:50 PM Kwll thanks Clare!
This message has been edited. Last edited by: DorianGreyed,
