The Rising Sun Flag (Japanese: 旭日 旗, Hepburn: Kyokujitsu-ki) is a Japanese flag that consists of a red disc and sixteen red rays emanating from the disc. [1] Like the Japanese national flag, the Rising Sun Flag symbolizes the Sun. The flag was originally used by feudal warlords in Japan during the Edo period (1603–1868 CE). [2]

Beginning in 1870, flags were created for the Japanese Emperor (then Emperor Meiji), the Empress, and other members of the imperial family. [126] At first, the Emperor's flag was ornate, with a sun resting in the center of an artistic pattern.

Each modern prefecture has a unique flag, most often a bicolour geometric highly stylised design , often incorporating the letters of Japanese writing system and resembling company logos. A distinct feature of these flags is that they use a palette of colours not usually found in flags, including orange, purple, aquamarine and brown.

Jun 3, 2023 · So Japan of the early Meiji era ended up with four "national flags", with the army using the 16-ray "Rising Sun" some 20 years before the navy did; yet although the naval ensign at the time was the Hinomaru, it was technically a distinct …

Mar 6, 2025 · Even though the flag of Japan during the Meiji Restoration period was a rectangular white flag with a reddish sun disc in the center, another flag began gaining popularity because it was a symbol of the Imperial Japanese Navy and Army. This …

Japan’s national flag is called the Nisshōki (日章旗), The Flag of The Sun, or The Ball of The Sun, Hinomaru (日の丸). It came into use in the Meiji period and was officially designated as Japan’s flag in 1999. This sun disc flag differs from the Rising Sun flag due to the absence of rays.

Oct 23, 2020 · The flag is based on the same design as the Hinomaru with additional rays emitting from the sun at the center. Its origins can be traced back to feudal warlords using it during the Edo Period. After the Meiji Restoration, it found new purpose as the official war flag for the Japanese Imperial Army. Shortly after, it was also adopted as the ...

The flag of the Rising Sun, also known as the \nKyokujitsu-ki\n (旭日旗), is distinguished by its vivid red sun disc at the center, radiating 16 rays that extend toward the edges of the flag. This design symbolizes the sun as it appears at dawn, projecting rays of light across the sky.

At the beginning of the Meiji period, the country was forced to design state symbols for the first time, such as the national flag, the national anthem, and the imperial emblem. Therefore, after going through an extensive review, the Nisshoki became the de facto national flag in Japan.

The Japan Flag and the Meiji Era. The flag of Japan became officially recognized in its current form during the Meiji Restoration in 1868, when Japan transitioned from a feudal society to a modern state under Emperor Meiji.