Item Story & Historical Context
Nestled in the quiet, historic outskirts of Kyoto, Kosen-in was celebrated for its secluded tea gardens, traditional wooden architecture, and moss-draped stone landscaping that offered a tranquil retreat from urban life.
The front of this card features an evocative real-photo sepia view titled “Kosen-in, Kyoto”, capturing a serene garden pathway leading toward an elegant wooden teahouse pavilion framed by ancient trees and moss-covered rockeries. In the upper right sky, a poetic verse is inscribed in graceful vertical brushwork.
The reverse presents a remarkably dense, intimate piece of pre-war domestic correspondence dispatched on August 20 from central Osaka to a recipient in Fujiidera, Osaka Prefecture. The sender details personal news, family health, and upcoming visits in a rapid, flowing cursive hand.
Franked with an authentic blue 1.5-sen definitive stamp tied by a clear machine postmark (August 20), this artifact beautifully merges traditional Kyoto garden aesthetics with the warmth of early Showa family correspondence.
Condition & Details
- Type: Vintage Real-Photo Scenic Postcard / Personal Postal Correspondence
- Origin/Context: Sent from Osaka to Fujiidera, Osaka Prefecture, early Showa Era (August 20, c. 1930s)
- Markings:
- Front: Real-photo sepia print; lower margin caption reading “KOSEN-IN, KYOTO”; upper vertical poetic inscription.
- Reverse: Blue 1.5-sen definitive stamp tied by wavy machine cancellation and circular date postmark; dense personal correspondence in dark ink.
- Condition: Very good authentic traveled condition. Exhibits an organic warm age patina, soft surface handling creases from its postal journey, and strong, clear contrast in both the photograph and the handwritten ink text.
- Includes: Comes carefully packed in a protective archival sleeve with rigid backing to ensure safe transit.
Shipping & Payment
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- 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).