Printed Japanese religious banner, good luck charm : Private M J Robinson, 2/3 Battalion

Red, black and dark blue printed cotton national flag in the shape and dimensions of a traditional Japanese hand towel. It is similar to good luck charms and souvenirs bought by religious pilgrims, in this case by a pilgrim visiting the 33 temples in the Kento district which enshrine Kannon (Avalokitevara). The flag has also been bought as a religious gift for a soldier on the way to the battlefield, although the name of the recipient does not appear on the it. The characters on the flag translate as 'Long lasting good fortune in war under Kannon', 'Under Kannon is Power, All the grudges disperse, written by a priest of the Senso-ji Temple, Ryajun'. In the upper left corner there is a dedication to 'a soldier on the way to a battlefield, Mr.', but a name has not been filled in. Beneath it are the words 'In commemoration of a pilgrimage to the 33 holy sites of Kannon for the unveiling of the icon'.

Captured by Private Michael Joseph Robinson, 2/3 Battalion during the fighting for Dagua in the Aitape-Wewak area of New Guinea in early 1945. Private Robinson was born on 19 April 1916 at Condoblin, NSW and was serving with the Militia when he enlisted in the AIF on 25 January 1943. Private Robinson served with 2/3 Battalion until his discharge in October 1945.