When catching many fishes, Japanese fishers also hoist banners with images of the rising sun, sea waves, and Mont Fuji to show the fishing went well. The combination of red and white has been considered a ¨lucky combination¨ since ancient times in Japan.Īccording to MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan), the design of the rising sun is often used during seasonal matsuri (traditional Japanese festivals) and weddings, as well as for celebrating childbirth. In addition to war, the rising sun flag is also historically associated with other more pleasant events. The official name of the flag is ¨kyokujitsuki¨ (旭日旗), and a red sun disc still means it with 16 red light rays around it on a white background. Present-Day Use in Japan Military FlagĪfter Japan’s defeat in 1945, the flag was left aside for a time but was eventually re-adopted in 1954 to represent the country’s army again. Known as ¨comfort women¨, they were put in brothels and coerced into prostitution for the Japanese soldiers. Hundreds of thousands of people were forced into labor, and many young women were kidnapped. It was also used as the symbol of the Japanese military during World War II, a time when it came to be associated with Japan’s aggressive and imperialist policies.ĭuring this period, the Japanese army committed several serious crimes against its colonies. This flag continued to be used during Japan’s period of imperial expansion in the early 20th century when several Asian territories were invaded, including Korea, Taiwan, Karafuto, and some parts of China (Nanjing city). While the ¨Hinomaru flag¨ (the current flag of Japan) was used as the national flag, the rising sun flag with its 16 red rayons was adopted as the official war flag for the new Imperial Japanese Army and Navy. Key aspects of this transformation included establishing a centralized government, importing Western technology, and the heavy militarization of the country. The Empire of Japanĭuring the Meiji Restoration of 1868, Japan underwent an important period of modernization which came after centuries of feudal rule and followed the opening of the country to foreigners by Emperor Meiji. The rising sun was also extensively used in artworks and ukiyo-e prints produced during the 19th century, such as Futami-ga-ura Rocks at Ise, Land of Dawn (by Utagawa Kunisada, 1835), and Three Great Bridges (by Utagawa Kunikazu, 1854). One example would be the crest of the Ryuzoji Clan (Hizen Province), represented by a sun with twelve rays.īy the start of the Edo Period in 1603, the rising sun had become a real national symbol that all Japanese could identify with. Warriors used it on their crest, which was called ¨Hiashimon¨ (日足紋), particularly in the Region of Kyushu. The Asahi design was trendy among the samurai class when each Daimyo (feudal lord) had his own flag. The Heike Monogatari (Tale of The Heike), an epic account of the Genpei war between two prominent Japanese Clans (likely compiled in the 12th century), mentions samurais carrying war fans decorated with representations of the sun. The Japanese call it ¨asahi¨, meaning the rising sun. The sun being a traditional motif associated with the country, it is no surprise it has been used in multiple ways throughout Japan’s history. Today, people call it ¨Nihon¨ or Nippon¨ (日本). Nihonkoku is composed of 3 Chinese characters (sun-origin-country) and could be literally translated as the ¨country where the sun originates¨. Then at the beginning of the 7th century, the Japanese Emperor of the time started to call himself “Emperor of the Rising Sun,” and the country’s name progressively changed from Wakoku (和国) to Nihonkoku (日本国).
When Japan was first mentioned in Chinese records, it was referred to as ¨Wakoku¨. The sun always rises in the East, and Japan is located in the eastern part of Asia. Japan is often called the ¨ Land of the Rising Sun¨.
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