Houseflags of Japanese shipping companies (4)

Kyokuyo Hogei K.K. was formed 1937 with the translation being the Polar Seas Whaling Ltd. It changed name 1971 to K.K. Kyokuyo, withdrawing from whaling in 1976 and from deep sea trawling in 1993 according to one source but Lloyds 2000 still showed it owning some fishing vessels.
Neale Rosanoski, 5 March 2003

Kyokuyo Shipping Co. Ltd. This flag is similar to that which should be shown for Kyoei Tanker K.K. The name is presumably a translation of Kyokuyo Kaiun K.K. of which I can find no real candidates for a flag. As Stewart has been the source of most these flags I wonder whether there has been some confusion and transposition of the Kyoei flag.
Neale Rosanoski, 5 March 2003

Kyoritsu Kisen K.K. appears to have been a post WW2 company which ceased in the later 1960s.
Neale Rosanoski, 5 March 2003

Meiji Kaiun K.K. was formed 1911 but appears to have not quite made the end of last century after becoming part of the Mitsui OSK group
Neale Rosanoski, 5 March 2003

The logo of Mitsubishi is nowadays probably most often seen on cars. If I remember correctly my ancient and unfruitful attempts to learn Japanese, Mitsubishi means "three diamonds", so we have a kind of canting flag.
Ivan Sache, 06 May 2000

You are right. Mitsubishi means three diamonds and the logo derives from three leaves Mon of the Iwasaki family ,founder of Mitsubishi.
Nozomi Kariyasu, 7 May 2000

Yes, it is canting, and, yes, it is more or less "three diamonds". Read more about it in the FAQ at: www.mitsubishi.or.jp/e/faq.html#q8

The same site also holds some information about the history of Mitsubishi, and since they started as a shipping line, also about the history of the shipping line.
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 08 May 2000

The red three diamonds on white background flags are used by all companies having name of "Mitsubishi" such as Mitsubishi Chemical, Mitsubishi Heavy Industry, Mitsubishi Motors, Mitsubishi Electrics etc but the companies not having name of "Mitsubishi" working in Mitsubishi business group such as Tokio Marine insurance, Kirin Brewery, NYK (NIppon Yusen Kaisha) use flag without three diamonds.
Nozomi Kariyasu,

Houseflags of Japanese shipping companies (4)

Kyokuyo Hogei K.K.

Kyokuyo Shipping Co., Ltd.

Kyoritsu Kisen

Meiji Kaiun K.K.

Mitsubishi Kaiun K.K.