Those who contact OBON SOCIETY believe these items belong with their families in Japan. Since these items are very meaningful, we want to create awareness of where they came from and why soldiers carried them.

When Japanese men were drafted into service, their family and friends gathered to show their support. A small Japanese flag would be signed by the family with black ink. The flag was folded and carried securely beneath their clothing into war.

On the battlefields, foreign soldiers searched for souvenirs they could carry home with them. Rifles and swords were popular; however, the most common souvenir was the small Japanese flag inscribed with writing.

In America, the flags were popular as badges of victory and often given to mothers, sisters or town mayors.

Many 'souvenirs' were kept by veterans and their families. Some were framed and hung on display but many were stored away in boxes and attics. Seventy-five years later, as these items are discovered, many want to return them to Japan.

There are no addresses that tell where the item was created. Families change in 75 years. However, OBON SOCIETY has created an efficient network for tracing heirlooms back to their families in Japan. We often find relatives of missing soldiers.

There are no addresses that tell where the item was created. Families change in 75 years. However, OBON SOCIETY has created an efficient network for tracing heirlooms back to their families in Japan. We often find relatives of missing soldiers.

About 1.2 million Japanese soldiers vanished on the battlefields of WWII leaving millions of their children and siblings with the grief of a missing family member. The return of each NBHR brings that missing person home in a spiritual way.