The flag of Japan is just a white background with a red circle called Hinomaru. What is the history and secret behind this simple Japanese flag? In this article, we will see everything about the flag that represents the rising sun and its variations.
The flag of Japan has a rectangular white shape with a large red disc in the center with a size ratio of 2:3. It is officially called Nisshōki [日章旗] which means sun flag, but it is commonly known as Hinomaru [日の丸] which means solar disc.
The flag of Japan displays a circle that represents the Sun and has been used since 1870. The design has been used since the 12th century by samurai who drew the circle of the Sun on fans called “gunsen”. The Hinomaru began to appear frequently in battles of Sekigahara around 1600.
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Meaning of the Flag of Japan
The origin of the flag is somewhat unknown. Some legends state that during the Mongol invasion in the 13th century, a Buddhist priest named Nichiren gave a flag with a red circle to the shogun.
But the main meaning of the “Rising Sun” flag has been a symbol in Japan since the 7th century, an official document from the year 607 sent to Sui Yangdi (an emperor of China) begins with “from the emperor of the rising sun”.
Another reason for the use of the sun on the flag was the desire for simple and elegant designs by Japanese warriors to reflect the cultured condition of the samurai. The sun is also strongly related to the imperial family due to mythology stating that the imperial throne descended from the goddess Amaterasu (goddess of the sun).
The flag also had influence from the name of the country, so we recommend reading the following article: Why is Japan called the “Land of the Rising Sun”?
History of the Flag of Japan
The first recorded flags in Japan date back to the period of unification in the late 16th century. The flags belonged to each Daimyo and were primarily used in battles.
Most of these flags that families used were just a single color with a design in the middle. This may have influenced the simplicity of the Japanese flag. To this day, Japanese states use this simplicity in their flags.
The Hinomaru was officially recognized in 1870 as a merchant flag, becoming the first national flag adopted in Japan between 1870–1885. National symbols were strange things to the Japanese.
After World War II, the flag that was a military symbol began to be criticized and set aside until 1999 when the law about the Flag and the National Anthem was passed officially choosing the Hinomaru and the Kimigayo (anthem) as national symbols of Japan.
We also recommend reading:
- The 6 historical flags of Japan
- The flags of the provinces of Japan
- 25 Warship and Naval Battle Games
Curiosities about the flag of Japan
Many think that the flag of Japan is red and white, but in fact, the shade of red of the flag is a crimson. If you try to make a flag with standard red, you will notice the huge difference.
As mentioned before, most flags of Japan have a simple design, with a solid color accompanied by a centered icon. Some provinces have a symbol related to their history, nature, animal, coat of arms, or ideogram of the name.
The largest flag of Japan is located at the Izumo shrine in Shimane prefecture. It measures exactly 9m by 13.6m and is 47 meters high, weighing an absurd 49kg. This bandana can be tied around the head or around it.
The hachimaki is another way to show nationality, it is a bandana with the circle of the Japanese flag in the middle, with some motivational phrases. The hachimaki can symbolize perseverance, effort, and courage.
We recommend reading: Hachimaki – The traditional Japanese bandanas
Kimigayo – The Short National Anthem
We cannot talk about the flag of Japan without mentioning at least a little about the National Anthem of the Nation. Kimigayo [君が代] is the national anthem with the oldest lyrics in the world, and also one of the shortest anthems in the world.
We recommend reading: Kimigayo – The Short Japanese National Anthem
It has only 5 phrases and 32 syllables, and was originally a poem. For a long time, Kimigayo was known as the Anthem of Japan, but it became the official anthem only in 1999. See below the small National Anthem of Japan:
| Japanese | Romaji | Translation |
| 君が代は 千代に八千代に さざれ（細）石の いわお（巌）となりて こけ（苔）の生すまで | Kimigayo wa Chiyo ni yachiyo ni Sazare-ishi no Iwao to narite Koke no musu made | May the reign of the Emperor last for thousands and thousands of generations, Until the pebble becomes a rock And the moss comes to cover it. |
Imperial Flag of Japan – Rays of the Sun
The rising sun flag with a red circle and sixteen stripes symbolizing the rays of the sun (Kyokujitsu-ki -旭日旗) became the official flag of the Japanese Army in 1870. These flags were primarily used aboard warships and represented the rising sun expanding its light over the world.
This flag, which is sometimes highly regarded by some foreigners, actually has a negative connotation in various countries in Asia due to the numerous wars that occurred. Even the Japanese felt a bit disappointed by the general loss of national pride after World War II.
Read also: History of Imperial Japan – World War II and Fall
In 1870, flags were created for the Emperor and members of the imperial family. Initially, the emperor’s flag was adorned with a sun in the center of an artistic design. The carriage flags were a monochromatic chrysanthemum, with 16 petals, in the center of a monochromatic background.
These flags were discarded in 1889 when the Emperor decided to use the chrysanthemum on a red background as his flag. The current emperor’s flag is a 16-petal chrysanthemum, colored in gold, in the center of a red background.
There are some flags similar to that of Japan. The flag of Bangladesh is similar to that of Japan, with a red disc on a green background. The flag of Palau also resembles that of Japan, although it is a yellow disc on a light blue background.
The Flag of Japan in Schools
There was a law that required schools to salute the flag and sing the anthem at events, festivals, and graduations, teachers were required to encourage students to respect the flag.
This caused strong opposition from teachers who defended the freedom of thought, belief, and conscience of students. Especially after the Emperor became the symbol of Japan by the Constitution and lost all political power.
This law caused the suicide of a school principal in Hiroshima who could not resolve the dispute between the school board and his teachers over the use of the Hinomaru and “Kimigayo“. Fortunately, today the country is free from obligations.
I hope this article has answered some questions about the flag of Japan. If you liked it, share the article and leave your comments.
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