Item Story & Historical Context
Perched on the verdant slopes overlooking Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture, Mii-dera (Onjo-ji) is one of the most storied Buddhist temple complexes in the nation, famed throughout classical literature and art for the evening chimes of its giant bronze bell—one of the celebrated Eight Views of Omi.
The front of this postcard presents an atmospheric bird’s-eye collotype view titled “View of Mii-dera Temple” alongside an evocative classical waka poem inscribed in the upper margin. Printed in rich emerald and deep forest-green duotone on fine fibrous paper stock, the composition looks down onto the intricate tiled pavilion roofs, stone pathways, and sweeping hillside precincts of the ancient sanctuary.
The reverse preserves a direct personal dispatch from July 21, 1928 (Showa Year 3). Penned in dark fountain-pen ink, the traveler details their journey from Kyoto into the scenic Otsu and Mii-dera region, reflecting on visiting the revered temple and admiring its historic temple bell before preparing to travel onward.
Bearing an authentic blue 1.5-sen definitive stamp tied by a crisp circular postal date cancel (3.7.21), this piece offers an authentic window into pre-war cultural tourism and Buddhist pilgrimage in the Kansai region.
Condition & Details
- Type: Vintage Scenic Postcard / Travel & Pilgrimage Correspondence
- Origin/Context: Mii-dera Temple (Otsu, Shiga Prefecture) to Hyogo Prefecture, Dated July 21, 1928 (Showa 3)
- Markings:
- Front: Lower red dual-language caption reading “View of Mii-dera”; upper waka poem cartouche; green duotone print.
- Reverse: Original blue 1.5-sen definitive stamp cancelled with Showa circular date postmark (“3.7.21”); blue typography header “POST CARD”; dense personal handwritten travel log in fountain-pen ink.
- Condition: Very good vintage condition. Cardstock displays an organic, warm-toned natural paper patina with gentle corner handling wear consistent with its 1928 postal transit. Ink inscriptions, stamp, and postal cancels remain sharp and deeply legible.
- Includes: Comes carefully packed in a protective archival sleeve with rigid backing to ensure safe transit.
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- 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).