Japanese Trophy flag "Jin, chuu, hou, koku"

It was common in Japan during WWII for communities to present an inscribed Japanese flag to their friends or family members who were deploying to war. These flags, known as yosegaki hinomaru, were meant to serve as good luck charms for the soldiers who carried them. This flag, which translates to “Dedication, royalty, contribute, country” was taken by a U.S. soldier in the Philippines following the battle. Symbolic of a Japanese soldier’s commitment to their country, it is also representative of their ultimate sacrifice in defending the Philippines.