Item Story & Historical Context
Welcoming the arrival of 1932 (Showa Year 7), this artful New Year greeting postcard celebrates the auspicious Year of the Rooster through classical Japanese decorative aesthetics.
The front design features a striking double-fan composition: a vermilion lacquered court fan patterned with stylized plum blossoms and pine needles sits behind a white folding fan. The inner fan showcases a traditional monochrome ink-wash (sumi-e) painting of a proud rooster standing among bamboo shoots beneath a rising dawn sun. Above the illustration, elegant typography proclaims formal New Year felicitations (“谨贺新年” / “Happy New Year”). A delicate gilded gold-foil border frames the entire perimeter of the card.
The reverse tells a personal story of holiday postal tradition. Addressed in bold, calligraphic black brush strokes to Fujiidera in Osaka Prefecture, the card carries an authentic blue 1.5-sen definitive stamp tied with a remarkably crisp, circular New Year’s Day commemorative date cancel (7.1.1 — January 1, 1932). The lower margin retains an export-era typography imprint reading “Made in Japan.”
A wonderfully preserved artifact capturing traditional seasonal celebration, zodiac symbolism, and pre-war postal culture.
Condition & Details
- Type: Vintage Zodiac New Year Greeting Postcard / Real Postal Correspondence
- Origin/Context: Mailed on New Year’s Day, January 1, 1932 (Showa 7) to Fujiidera, Osaka Prefecture
- Markings:
- Front: Gilt border; fan-shaped artwork with Rooster and seasonal auspicious symbols; printed New Year greeting.
- Reverse: Blue 1.5-sen definitive stamp tied by crisp circular New Year’s Day cancel dated “7.1.1” (1932.1.1); fluid sumi brush calligraphy; lower “Made in Japan” imprint.
- Condition: Excellent vintage condition. Cardstock retains its crisp structure with clean margins, vibrant cinnabar-red inks, intact gold foil trim, and bold, deeply saturated brush calligraphy.
- Includes: Comes carefully packed in a protective archival sleeve with rigid backing to ensure safe transit.
Shipping & Payment
- Payment: Secure checkout powered by Stripe. All major credit cards accepted.
- Fulfillment: Ships directly from Japan via Japan Post with end-to-end tracking. Every order is dispatched within 3 business days, and your tracking number will be sent directly to your email as soon as it’s on its way.
- Shipping Notice: To ensure maximum care, archival safety, and accurate weight-based insurance for each distinct historical artifact, all items are packaged and shipped individually (no combined shipping available).