Houseflags of Mitsu O.S.K. companies

This is Mitsui Osaka Shosen Kaisha, described in "All about Ships & Shipping" (1959) as "White with Red Charges". Accordingly this would be: "three horizontal bands white -red- white, proportioned (approximately) 2:3:2; the red band with white charges."
Jarig Bakker, 22 October 2003

Founded 1884, as Osaka Shosen Kaisha (O.S.K. Line) is founded. In 1964, Japan's shipping industry undergoes a major consolidation, creating Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) through mergers.

The company resulted from the merger of Osaka Shosen Kaisha and Mitsui Senpaku K.K. being generally known by the English version of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd., the Japanese version reversing the name order as Osaka Shosen Mitsui Senpaku Kabushiki Kaisha.The flag incorporates features from both companies with the 3 red bands representing the Kanji and Katakana meaning "Mi" or "Mitsu" which translates as "3", and the white "squashed x" symbol the Kanji "O".
Neale Rosanoski, 3 January 2004

Inui Kisen K.K.

image by Phil Nelson
Source: Flags, Funnels and Hull Colours, 1963 [ste63]

Inui Kisen K.K. still trades under its own name as a subsidiary of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd.
Neale Rosanoski, 5 March 2003

Itaya Shosen K.K

image by Phil Nelson
Source: Flags, Funnels and Hull Colours, 1963 [ste63]

Itaya Shosen K.K. was formed 1903 and still operates as a subsidiary of Mitsui OSK Lines.
Neale Rosanoski, 5 March 2003

Kotani Kisen K.K.

image by Phil Nelson
Source: Flags, Funnels and Hull Colours, 1963 [ste63]

By 1970 Kotani Kisen K.K. appears to have become Osaka Senpaku K.K. and going by their funnel markings the flag was retained although it may now be no longer used as the company is now part of Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd.
Neale Rosanoski, 5 March 2003

Meiji Kaiun K.K.

image by Phil Nelson
Source: Flags, Funnels and Hull Colours, 1963 [ste63]

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

From the The National Maritime Museum:

The house flag of Mitsui Senpaku K. K., Tokyo. A white flag with a red motif. The flag is made of a wool and synthetic fibre bunting. It has a cotton hoist and is machine sewn. The design is printed. A rope and two Inglefield clips is attached attached. The logo refers to the company name which means three ships.

Jarig Bakker, 20 August 2004

There are three bars (mitsu = 3) inside a square, a stylized version of a kanji meaning "well" (as in water, read "i".) Mitsui is a common surname having nothing to do with ships. Thus the name "Mitsui" could be translated as "three wells".
Albert S. Kirsch, 20 August 2004

Mitsui Senpaku K.K. originated 1876 as Mitsui Bussan Kaisha involved the carriage of coal. In 1942 the shipping division became independent as Mitsui Senpaku K.K.and then in the 1964 merges it combined into Osaka Shosen Mitsui Senpaku K.K. which is more usually known as Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd.
Neale Rosanoski, 5 March 2003

Osaka Shosen Kaisha

image by Phil Nelson
Source: Flags, Funnels and Hull Colours, 1963 [ste63]

Osaka Shosen Kaisha. Some sources incorrectly give a blue field to the flag prior to the 1930s but it has always been white as shown. Dating from 1884 it formed part of the 1964 merging resulting in Mitsui O.S.K. Lines.
Neale Rosanoski, 5 March 2003

Tamai Shosen K.K.

image by Phil Nelson
Source: Flags, Funnels and Hull Colours, 1963 [ste63]

Tamai Shosen K.K. was formed 1937 and is now part of Mitui OSK Lines. Many Japanese companies are now known by their equivalent English titles but this company actually changed its name to Tamai Steamship Co. Ltd. in 1987.
Neale Rosanoski, 5 March 2003