Portland Association Publication 1

Portland Flag Association “Free, and Worth Every Penny!” Issue 31 December 2011

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: A Flag for All Mankind in the 21st Century

A Flag for All Mankind 1 By David W. Ferriday Japanese Battle Standards 2 November 2011 Flutterings 4 There are thousands of Remembering John Hood 5 representing many Flags in the News 5 different groups of people New Wave: Facts About Flags 6 around the world. The The Flag Quiz 7 United Nations flag and The of the State of Jefferson 8 the Olympic flag are the Next Meeting Announcement 8 most inclusive. But there is, I believe, a need for a www.portlandflag.org flag that represents each and understanding of some of this every one of us, as a member of extremely complex set of factors the human species, and so I have with a flag. designed a flag with that in mind. The specific design is representa- People are divided by race, tive of earth, air, fire, and water religion, nationality, and many (elements found in many historic, other factors large small. religious, and early scientific Recent developments in science, contexts), as well as the sun—the and concerns for the ecological ultimate source of power for our stability of our planet, have world. brought some people together and pushed others apart. We The colors express these: need to be reminded of our com- earth—black, air—white, humanity and our home. fire—red, water—blue, and the sun—yellow. In addition to the Flags appear regularly in the news extremes of black and white are as of our various inter- added the three primary colors. ests and alliances, and are surely a The human race is a race very important means of commu- The particular graphic way in of cowards, and I am not nication and representation. This which I have brought these together in the form a flag are only marching in that is one reason why I have chosen simply my own sense of design. procession but I am to express my feelings and my carrying a . If you wish to compliment the interim editor, or to contribute in the future, contact Ted —Mark Twain Kaye at 503-223-4660 or [email protected]. If you wish to complain, call your mother. 2 Portland Flag Association Publication Japanese Battle Standards: Military Communication of Feudal Japan Submitted by Patrick Genna from samurai used their own names or and thus one of the most honor- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ mon rather than that of their lord, able, positions on the of - while other factions, such as the tle. A variety of methods were used Ikkō-ikki, could be identified by to communicate across the bat- declaring namu amida Sashimono were small rectangular tlefield in feudal Japan, much like butsu, praising the name of the banners worn on the backs of in any other culture. These Amida Buddha. ashigaru, or common soldiers. methods included visual signals They typically featured the mon of like flags and banners and audi- By the mid-16th century, flags their daimyo or clan, and used col- ble signals using drums and and banners were seen in greater ors to denote units or divisions. horns. Messengers on horseback numbers than ever before, and in used ciphers and other methods an unprecedented variety of to prevent their messages from styles, sizes, shapes and colors. falling into the wrong hands. Where once only higher-ranking By the beginning of the Sengoku samurai and commanders had Period, battlefield communica- standards (flags), now lower- tions had become fairly compli- ranking warriors wore flags to

cated affairs, with larger armies denote their unit or division, than ever before, and a multitude along with their clan or lord. of flags and banners covered in a Not only were armies larger than myriad of colors and designs. in the past, but the number of Since the beginnings of what we clans present on any given side in would today recognize as Japa- a battle had increased as well. In nese culture, and probably earlier, any one battle, a single daimyo various symbols, crests, banners, could have under him several or markings on armor were used other daimyo, each with a number of to help identify and distinguish units or divisions, and sub- warriors on the battlefield. commanders, as well as individual samurai of such a reputation (or wealth) as to warrant their own individual banner. Sashimono. This profusion of banners meant that the commanders, especially the daimyo at the head of each side Uma-jirushi (馬印, lit. horse stan- of the battle, had to have espe- dard) were the massive, often three- cially large and noticeable stan- dimensional, banners used to dis- dards to identify their location; tinguish the daimyo or other top warriors needed to know where The mon, or symbol, of a clan or commanders on the battlefield. to rally around, whose orders to a daimyo (above) was particularly While this did wonders for the follow, and what those orders common, identifying which side organization and morale of the were. The role of standard bearer a warrior fought on; some daimyo's troops, it also attracted was one of the most dangerous, the attention of the enemy.

Portland Flag Association Publication 3

The horo (母衣)(below) were large pieces of cloth, not entirely unlike a cape or cloak, which would be worn on the back, sup- ported and shaped by a series of bamboo or wooden sticks. In addition to displaying an identify- ing mon or symbol, and making A variety of Uma-Jirushi designs, taken from the 15th century book O Uma Jirushi. For other pages from this book see the collection of Japanese heraldry the samurai appear larger-than- at http://commons.wikimedia.org. life, it served the purpose of arrow entangler. Ultimately, it marked that warrior as someone On the scroll above are depicted important, usually a messenger or uma-jirushi—battle standards set scout, and worthy of honorable up beside a military commander's treatment, even by his enemies. horse to show his position—of 170 soldiers. The illustrations are printed in color and also painted by hand. This scroll is important for marking the origin of multi- color woodblock printing (nishiki- e) in Japan. The sixth volume of this work, which was found only recently, is the only scroll still known to exist. It was created 1624-1644; its Japanese title is 御馬印.

Hata-jirushi were one of the older types of standards; they were long streaming banners attached to a Horo. crosspiece and held up on a long A daimyo would often signal with bamboo or wooden rod. his war fan (gunbai or gunpai) as Nobori (幟, lit. flag, banner ) (right) well. While these fans were much are perhaps the best-known of larger than the usual paper or silk feudal Japanese military flags. ones, it seems unlikely that orders Introduced somewhat later than could be conveyed to thousands the hata-jirushi, a nobori was a stiff- or tens of thousands of warriors ened piece of cloth, attached to in this way. a pole through loops, and includ- Saihai were signal batons used by ing, of course, a mon or other samurai commanders, these were identifying mark on it, to repre- small hand-held staffs with strips sent the samurai or daimyo who of leather, lacquered paper, or a carried it. streamer of animal hair on one Nobori. end. 4 Portland Flag Association Publication November 2011 Flutterings You Need to Know In our November meeting, hosted blazon to a graphic representation thanking Max and complimenting generously by Mike Hale, we cov- of the heraldic ? him for his able help in develop- ered a lot of territory (a flag lot?). ing it. See page 6 for the correct Max Liberman showed the suite image and description. Scott Mainwaring passed around a of flags that he’d created for his Chinese car-flag attachment he’d own country, the Kingdom of David Ferriday shared more recently picked up on eBay, and Æfira, and presented as a Vexibit about his flag for all humanity— read excerpts from a new book, at the 24th International Congress with primary colors plus black & Christ to Coke, which has a section of . white representing earth-air-fire- on the American flag. water and the sun (see page 1). Mike Hale has sold Elmer’s Flag He also showed designs he’d cre- Michael Orelove introduced what & Banner. He briefed us on the ated to commemorate the 7 bil- the U.S. flag would now look like new owner, and showed some of lionth person on the planet, and had the Third flag Act of 1820 not the cotton flags he’s collected, the 8th and 9th billions (below). returned the stripe count to 13: including many U.S. historical a 50-, 50-stripe flag (below). flags and a few others, including (Continued on page 5) We speculated that the field would the “Jantzen Diving Girl”. look pink from a distance, a form of “American Pink Ensign”, and Ken Dale, in recognition of the wondered how many other flags even of Veteran’s Day 11-11-11, had pink fields. told of his military service and what the holiday meant to him. David Koski brought up a fasci- nating idea—could software be Patrick Genna talked about the developed to translate a heraldic latest version of his personal flag,

David Ferriday’s flag for the 7 billion people on the planet (with back- ground representing land and water), and his anticipatory designs for the 8 billion and 9 billion (by the last flag Michael Orelove and his 50-Star, 50-Stripe American Flag the planet will be nearly finished).

Portland Flag Association Publication 5

(Continued from page 4) John Niggley related how he had Ted Kaye distributed posters, free the opportunity to help unfurl a Flags in the News thanks to Alain Raullet (Breton gigantic Timbers banner on the Occupy Portland, the recent Flags) and Peter Orenski (American field at Jeld-Wen Park. The Tim- protest movement and encamp- Indian Flags), and showed an un- bers, of course, are our [new] ma- ment in downtown Portland, has usual 99% flag observed the day jor league soccer team. used flags in interesting ways. before at the Chap- Ted Kaye observed a march in man Square en- late October in which the flags campment of the used included USA, Cascadia, Occupy Portland Tunisia, and red (IWW) and black protest (lower right). (Anarchists). He also passed around an image of the Timbers Army waving dozens of Portland flags at a recent game (right).

Remembering John Hood read the letter and recruited Ken We spent a special time in our to the PFA. Ted told a humorous November meeting recalling John story about John and Vivian at Hood, a charter member of our the NAVA 40 meeting in Reno. Part of a national movement, the Portland Flag Association and the John S. recalled how John would Portland group created a logo creator and longtime editor of call to remind him to attend PFA based on the flag of the city of this Tabloid, who died in meetings, and Max showed a Portland, a wonderfully innova- September. book that John had given him: tive use (what would Doug Lynch How to Start your own Country. have thought?). Mike described John as the best example of charity he’d ever David F. was the last of us to see known. In one example, he and John, days before his death, visit- Virginia would often bring baked ing just after our September meet- treats to Mike’s staff at Elmer’s. ing to deliver flag gifts to him and David K. remembered how John Vivian. Patrick reminisced about could gently bring a wide-ranging John’s generosity in giving him PFA discussion back on track. rides to PFA meetings. And Scott Michael recalled the first meeting remembered how nice John could of the PFA he had attended—in be even when pestering him for John’s living room. an item for the Vexilloid Tabloid, and John’s constant and welcom- This unusual “Gadsden Variant”, Ken talked about how he had ing hospitality. Then, as re- drawn on cardboard by an artist written to Dear Abby after 9/11, quested by Vivian, we engaged in named Bobby, turns the well- complaining about the disrespect a fulfilling and useful discussion known rattlesnake into the “99%” shown by people allowing the US about what to do with John’s flag image reflecting the movement’s flag to get ragged and dirty; John collection. “We are the 99%”. 6 Portland Flag Association Publication Book Review: New Wave – Facts about Flags Update on Patrick Genna’s Flag By Ted Kaye New Wave is part a com- [With the editor’s apologies for 5”x7”, full color, 144 pages pilation of the error in the last issue, here is Black Dog Publishing (2011) flag trivia, the correct image for Patrick part a mini- Genna’s personal flag, along with ISBN: 978-1-907317-30-9 reference its formal description.] Many of us like to give flag books book, and The green, white, and red colors as gifts to those who don’t yet part a series indicate Patrick’s Italian immi- fully understand why flags appeal of short grant origin and the red-white- to us. Here’s one that merits a articles on blue his American citizenship. place in the “present drawer”. several flag-related topics. Also, the blue-white-red (in re- New Wave is not the typical flag The fun section on Fictional Flags verse) represent his place of birth, book—a compilation of flags of probably makes it the only flag St. Louis, a French settlement the world arranged by country. book with an illustration of Star founded 25 years before the While it devotes a few pages in Trek’s Mr. Spock. In a shout-out Revolution of 1789. the back to national flags and to vexillologists, the flag of FIAV some sub-national sets (Brazil, is included among the Interna- The royal fleur de lis represents St. Canada, Spain, U.S.A.), it is more tional Flags. Louis, while the Mississippi and a book about flags. Sections Missouri rivers below it are repre- Its own blurb correctly says cover: The History of the Flag, sented by a triple wave of white- “Spanning geography, politics, Colours, National Flag Stories, blue-white. history, culture, design, and art Twentieth Century Flags, Flag and presented in an accessible and Families, Religious Flags, Protest The yellow or gold disk repre- refreshing format, New Wave is an Flags, Flag Etiquette, Flags at Sea, sents both the Midwestern entertaining exploration of the Sports Flags, Popular Culture, (Missouri) sun and a turning circle diversity of flags, as well as the Sovereign Flags, and Flag Terms. of life and death centered in Bud- rituals and communication as- dhism. A pocket-sized paperback, New pects that inform them.” Wave uses a bold graphic style Black Dog Publishing is offering with large blocks of color and a NAVA members a 40% discount Max Liberman produced the artwork very dynamic layout. It would off the regular price of US$15.00 for the flag. engage both a younger reader and for New Wave: Facts About Flags. an adult. It has color on every page. While a British book, To at the discounted price hardly any aspects of it would jar of US$9.00 (£4.77 for customers an American or Canadian reader. outside the U.S.) plus postage, And though Max and Patrick email [email protected] found some factual errors in our with your delivery address and last meeting, it is well-researched quoting ‘NAVA Offer’ as the sub- and quite accurate. Interestingly, ject heading. You will then re- no author is credited, as if the ceive the book with an invoice book were a team effort at its Personal Flag: (payment can be made via check J. Patrick Genna London publishing house. or credit card).

Portland Flag Association Publication 7 What’s that Flag? What Was that Flag? Answers to the last quiz

By Max Liberman These are all national civil ensigns (flags flown on civilian ships) which differ from the national flag. The theme of these flags is obvi- ous, but what do they represent?

Answers in the next issue...

Singapore.

Pakistan.

Luxembourg. Israel.

Albania. Malta. 8 Portland Flag Association Publication The Seal of the State of Jefferson By Michael Orelove Kathleen and I went to the museum to see the gold pan, Kathleen Forrest and I recently which was in the vault. After drove from Portland to the San seeing our Jefferson flag and Francisco area and passed hearing that I was a member of through the State of Jefferson the Portland Flag Association, (parts of southern Oregon and the staff put on white gloves and northern California). brought out the pan from the We carried a flag of the State of vault. I also put on white gloves Jefferson on their trip. The flag and held both the pan and the a reproduction of the seal flag for a photo. of the State of Jefferson—a gold The museum has wonderful ex- pan with two large Xs, represent- hibits about the Native American ing the feeling of being double culture of the area and is a nice crossed by the two state govern- place to stop and visit if you are ments. driving by on Interstate 5. The original Jefferson Citizen’s The original 1941 seal of the State of [ Note: Ted Kaye’s comprehen- Committee chose Yreka, Califor- Jefferson, a gold pan with two Xs on sive article on the Jefferson’s nia, as the interim state capital in the bottom and “The Great Seal of history, flag, and symbols, “The November 1941. State of Jefferson” around the rim, shown with a contemporary State of State of Jefferson”, was pub- The original seal of the State of Jefferson flag (no flags were created lished in The Flag Bulletin #150 during the actual secession). Jefferson is at the Siskiyou (vol. 32, no. 1), Jan.–Feb. 1993, County Museum in Yreka. pp. 22–30.]

January Meeting

The next meeting of the Portland Flag Association will be at 7 p.m., Thursday, January 12, 2012, at Michael Orelove’s house, 2905 S.E. Palmquist Rd #4, Gresham. He lives in a trailer park and the address is for the overall park; the trailer is #4. (503) 703-4495.

See the map at right.

We look forward to seeing those of you who have been otherwise com- mitted, and hear some new war sto- ries, see some different flags, and hear some provocative discussion.