Description:

JAPANESE FLAG SIGNED BY 26 TOKYO WAR CRIMES DEFENDANTS
An outstanding and excessively rare item, a large Japanese flag signed by twenty-six of the most notorious Japanese war criminals as they awaited trial at Sugamo Prison in Tokyo, 1946. The silk flag, obtained by American guard M.P. Fritz Bock, is a Japanese national flag with a large red circle upon a white field and measures 36" x 27" with the typical leather corner tables along the hoist. All of the signatures are in blue ink, with each signer writing his name in both English and Japanese, some adding their war-time positions. Included are the following defendants, with the sentence handed down by the tribunal also noted: General and Premier HIDEKI TOJO (Death), Diplomat SHIGENORI TOGO (20 Years), General HEITARO KIMURA (Death), General SADAO TARAKI (Life Imprisonment), Hirohito's advisor KOICHI KIDO (Life Imprisonment), General SEISHIRO ITAGAKI (Death), GeneralTAKASUMI OKA (Life Imprisonment), Ambassador TOSHIO SHIRATORI (Life Imprisonment), Minister NAOKI HOSHINO (Life Imprisonment), Minister OKINORI KAYA (Life Imprisonment), Admiral SHIGETARO SHIMADA (Life Imprisonment), Field Marshal SHUNROKU HATA (Life Imprisonment), General KUNIAKI KOISO (Life Imprisonment), General KENJI DOIHARA (Death), BaronKOKI HIROTA (Death), General JIRO MINAMI (Life Imprisonment), Ambassador MAMORU SHIGEMITSU (Seven Years), Colonel INGORO HASHIMOTO (Life Imprisonment), General HIROSHI OSHIMA (Life Imprisonment), Baron KIICHIRO HIRANUMA (Life Imprisonment), General KENRYO SATO (Life Imprisonment), General AKIRA MUTO (Death), General IWANE MATSUI (Death), General TEIICHI SUZUKI (Life Imprisonment) and General YOSHIJIRO UMEZU (Life Imprisonment). Some signatures have lightened a bit over time, especially that of Tojo, yet they remain entirely legible and would be brought out very well with the piece matted on a white backing. Very fine condition. Sold with Bock's original Jan. 29, 1948 Army customs declaration completed when the flag and other items were sent home to his family. The signatures of the Japanese war criminals are far rarer than those of their German counterparts, and this is the most desirable format in which to find them. A superb item for display.

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August 23, 2016 10:30 AM EDT
Chesapeake City, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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