Flag, Japan (Hinomaru) (Circle of the Sun)
Some of the earliest recordings of Japan as a “Land of the Rising Sun” come from the early 600s. The sun is tied deeply to old Japanese culture and mythos, directly linking the sun and the emperor. History ties the Hinomaru or “Circle of the Sun” flag throughout Japanese history; the earliest claimed Hinomaru flag is from 701, though it is unknown if it is the same design as the current Japanese flag.

The oldest still surviving flag of the current Hinomaru design dates from before the 16th century; legends claim it is as old as the 11th century.
The flag, commonly known as Hinomaru in Japan, is ceremonial.
This flag flew above the Kure, Japan train station when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945 at 8:16 a.m. Kure is just 14.9 miles from Hiroshima. The flag was presented subsequently to Sgt. Jack Beresford, Royal Engineers, and signed by his military comrades, liaison staff and interpreters.
