Japan's oldest Rising Sun flag stolen

News from Japan:

Some 50 priceless works of art and curios, including Japan's oldest Hinomaru (Rising Sun) flag, have been stolen from a historic house in Nishiyoshino, Nara Prefecture, which was used by Emperors during the 14th century Imperial Court schism, police said Sunday.

The owner of the Hori Family home, which is a designated important cultural property of the nation and also known as the Imperial Palace in Anou, found the property ransacked Saturday morning and raised the alarm. Anou is an old name of Nishiyoshino.

Police confirmed that missing valuables included the flag and many old works of art. Investigators suspect that the theft could be related to a recent series of burglaries targeting important cultural properties in the prefecture.

The lost flag was believed to have been used by Emperor Go-Daigo's army during the Nambokucho period (1336-1392), when the Imperial Court was split into the Northern Court in Kyoto and the Southern Court in Yoshino of present day Nara Prefecture.

Posted by David on January 21, 2003 11:22 AM