Editing Flag of Japan (section)

==={{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru Yosegaki}}===
{{Main|Good Luck Flag}}
[[File:Signed Hinomaru flag of Eihachi Yamaguchi.JPG|thumb|right|An example of a {{transliteration|ja|[[Good Luck Flag|Hinomaru Yosegaki]]}} from World War II]]

During World War II, it was a popular custom for friends, classmates, and relatives of a deploying soldier to sign a {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru}} and present it to him. The flag was also used as a good luck charm and a prayer to wish the soldier back safely from battle. One term for this kind of charm is {{nihongo||日の丸寄せ書き|[[Good Luck Flag|Hinomaru Yosegaki]]}}.<ref name='yosegaki'>{{vcite web |url=http://www.city.himeji.lg.jp/koho/press/_18144/_18145/_18955.html |title=開催中の平和資料館収蔵品展から「日の丸寄せ書き」について |trans_title=Museum collections from the exhibition "Group flag efforts" being held for peace |access-date=25 September 2009 |publisher=City of Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture |language=Japanese |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110813054342/http://www.city.himeji.lg.jp/koho/press/_18144/_18145/_18955.html |archive-date=13 August 2011 |df= }}</ref> One tradition is that no writing should touch the sun disc.<ref name='smith75'>{{Harvnb|Smith|1975|p=171}}</ref> After battles, these flags were often captured or later found on deceased Japanese soldiers. Some of these flags have become souvenirs,<ref name="smith75" /> and some have been returned to Japan and the descendants of the deceased.<ref>{{vcite news | author=McBain, Roger | title=Going back home | date=9 July 2005 | publisher= | url=http://www.rose.sannet.ne.jp/nishiha/iryuhin/medea/cpress.html | work=Courier & Press | pages= | access-date=25 September 2009 | language= | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721233111/http://www.rose.sannet.ne.jp/nishiha/iryuhin/medea/cpress.html | archive-date=21 July 2011 | url-status=live }}</ref>

In modern times, the {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru Yosegaki}} is still being used. The tradition of signing the {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru}} as a good luck charm still continues, though in a limited fashion. The {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru Yosegaki}} is shown at sporting events to give support to the Japanese national team.<ref>{{Harvnb|Takenaka|2003|p=101}}</ref> The {{nihongo3|group effort flag|寄せ書き|Yosegaki}} is used for campaigning soldiers,<ref name="siryoukan">{{Cite web |url=http://www.nishi.or.jp/~kyodo/tenji/senji/13/13.htm |script-title=ja:西宮市立郷土資料館の企画展示 |access-date=24 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080619055335/http://www.nishi.or.jp/~kyodo/tenji/senji/13/13.htm |archive-date=19 June 2008 }}</ref> athletes, retirees, transfer students in a community and for friends. The colored paper and flag has writing with a message. In modern Japan, it is given as a present to a person at a send-off party, for athletes, a farewell party for colleagues or transfer students, for graduation and retirement. After natural disasters such as the [[Aftermath of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami|2011 Tōhoku Earthquake and tsunami]] people write notes on a {{transliteration|ja|Hinomaru Yosegaki}} to show support.