Hinomaru snaffled in historic raid

[thomas]

14th century Rising Sun flag snaffled in historic raid

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. [...]

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.

In 1336, Emperor Go-Daigo lost a power struggle against Emperor Komyo, who was backed by Takauji Ashikaga, founder of the Muromachi Shogunate. He stayed at Hori's house while escaping from Ashikaga's force before establishing the Southern Court in the neighboring Yoshino.

=> http://mdn.mainichi.co.jp/news/20030...fp012000c.html