UBB.threads Forums General Militaria Japanese Militaria Forum WWII Japanese Flag - Kamikaze?

Hello:

I purchased a large silk Japanese WWII flag (white with a red circle, leather corners) at the estate sale of an elderly Japanese gentleman who lived in the neighborhood I grew up in.

My Mom shared with me that while she was talking with him many years ago, he revealed that he was a pilot in WWII and had volunteered to be a Kamikaze pilot.

Obviously he never flew a mission, maybe the practice was ended during his service, I don't know. The flag is in pristine, unused condition. I've seen a good handful of Kamikaze flags with writing on them.

My question is, were these silk flags given to all Japanese soldiers as a government issue or only to pilots who were chosen to fly kamekazi missions? Or where they given to the family members to wave as they flew off?

Thank you for your help!

Julie