Houseflags of Japanese shipping companies (12)

Last modified: 2003-08-16 by phil nelson
Keywords: maritime shipping |
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These flags are based upon a booklet called "Fune to Hata" (Ships and Flags) published by the Nihon Maru Memorial Foundation in 1994 following an exhibit at the Yokahama Maritime Museum by the same name and during the same year. Photocopies of the flags were provided by Nozomi Kariyasu for these images.

The photocopies show actual flags, not artistic images. Several different sizes are shown. The flags, particularly from 1916, are weathered and torn, but allow for some degree in accuracy in representation.
Phil Nelson, 04 February 2002

• Sanin-Kisen (1916)
• Tatsuma-Kisen (1916)
• Tanaka Kisen (1916)
• Tokai Kisen
• Tokyo-Wan Kisen (1916)
• Yamashita-Shin-Nihon Kisan (circa 1964)
• Yamazaki Kisen (1916)

See also:

• House flags of Japanese shipping companies (index)
• Japan
• House flags of shipping companies

by Phil Nelson

by Phil Nelson

The flag is shown in reverse hoist.

Tatsuma-Kisen. Spelling varies with sources but Tatsuuma Kisen K.K. appears to be the correct version. The company originated from Tatsuuma Shoji which was formed in the 19th Century with the shipping division becoming independent in 1909 adopting this particular title in 1916 and then in 1947 it was re-organised as Shinnihon Kisen K.K. According to another source the image is correctly portrayed and is not "reverse hoist" i.e. the small symbol is in the upper fly. This source also shows a small variation in the design of the internal part of the major emblem with the 2nd of the 2 smaller horizontal lines not being connected to the vertical line in the hoist i.e. it becomes "T" like being connected to the lower segment by the other vertical line and then the 3rd of the vertical lines in the fly meets the top horizontal line of the lower part of the design so that it becomes continuous. This flag, without the small symbol in the upper fly, was that of the parent company Tatsuuma Shoji.
Neale Rosanoski, 5 March 2003

by Phil Nelson

Tokai Kisen K.K. Began 1889 as Tokiowan Kisen K.K. and still operating. I presume the original company is the Tokyo-Wan Kisen of the next image with that shown in (16) being an even earlier flag.
Neale Rosanoski, 5 March 2003

by Phil Nelson

by Phil Nelson

by Phil Nelson

Yamashita-Shin-Nihon Kisen, usually shown as Yamashita-Shinnihon Kisen K.K., was formed 1964 by the merger of Yamashita Kisen K.K. and Shinnihon Kisen K.K. and in turn it merged with Japan Line K.K. in 1989 to form Navix Line K.K. Brown 1982 and 1995 show a narrower red band which appears to be incorrect.
Neale Rosanoski, 5 March 2003

by Phil Nelson