Pictorial Postmarks: Japan

This cancel was offered on the occasion of Doraemon's creator Fujiko F. Fujio's 90th anniversary in his hometown Takaoka. It's available for one year.

The date of cancellation is 1 December 2023, Fujio's birthday.

Wow, I do not remember this at all --- but I used to post more prolifically on multiple boards, so that's not entirely surprising.

It's very early morning here in Los Angeles, and I'm on my first cup of coffee, and I'll check some other references a little later on this morning. However, it does not appear to be a first day cancellation, as that issue date is December 1, 1935, which would convert to a traditional Japanese postmark of 10.12.1 (Showa 10 = 1935).

The 4 characters at the top indicate that it's the Tokyo Central Post Office.

I can't help but remark that "11.11" can be construed as Armistice/Remembrance/Veterans Day, but I'm not confident that Japan would be commemorating that in 1935.

The symbol is a crane, which represents longevity, strength, hope, and peace. However, the iconic event that associates the crane with peace in the 20th century occurred as a result of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in World War II.

Here are a couple of links to the symbolism of the crane:

japan-avenue.com/blogs/japan/japanese-crane

libguides.cmich.edu/c.php?g=1217908

I have an online acquaintance who is supremely knowledgeable about about Japanese language, culture and philately, so I'll ask him.

Thanks a bunch !    I'll go with that, it makes sense
If you do find any further info, please post.

I was curious why "scenic postmarks" (or part thereof)  are never evident on used postage stamps.
They must be only on FDC   and not required to cancel any postal labels.
That was why the crane was a curiosity.

I only have Scenic pmks references to 1951
Thanks for your help.

By the way.....in my "crane Pmk"  example (rather tatty)  the 11.11 shows another period, (full stop)  that may indicate a date?    eg:  11.1.1

 

Absolutely outstanding work, darkormex Darrin!

Thank you very much!!

(I've got to spring for those electronic back issues...)

In modern time, there is a name for this kind of pictorial cancels that are neither scenic cancels (fukei-in, available for a long period of time) nor first-day-of-issue-cancels: that is kogata-in (小型印). Here is the official repository for it:

www.post.japanpost.jp/kitte_hagaki/stamp/kogata/

Literally fukei-in means 'landscape / scenic cancel', and kogata-in means 'small cancel'. The latter is usually available for a much shorter period of time, ranging from one day to one year (sometimes its usage can get extended), and it tends to be commemorative of certain anniversary or event. In the previous posts I shared, the Gundam cancels, Doraemon cancel and the JAPEX23 cancels are kogata-in.

Japan Post has standarised the dimension of both cancels since I know-not-when. Fukei-in measures 38 mm in diameter, whereas kogata-in 32 mm.

I have never seen a new-year cancel that old. Thank you for sharing.

Strange ?
Creating a sub set of "New Years Postmarks"  my results contradict Mr Fishers images  ?
Mine suggest the Postmarks were 1935,  1936,  1937   (Not 1936-1937-1938)

Any contructive comments?


Sheesh!  of course, these were issued in calendar prior to the impending new year !
(that was rather embarassing) 

This pictorial cancel in the shape of Japanese plum shows Osaka Castle, the stone lantern in Osaka Castle Park, and sennari byotan -- the ensign bearing a cluster of gourds used by Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

[Date of cancellation: 25 March 2024.]

This kogata-in was released to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the Takarazuka Revue, an all-female musical troupe based in Takarazuka, Japan. I specifically asked for the postmark of the 1st of April because it's the date of the Revue's premiere in 1914.

Perhaps most notable of the Revue is having performers parading down an enormous stage-wide staircase and a Rockette-style kick line. The staircase is seen in this cancel design.

[Date of cancellation: 1 April 2024.]

This cancel available at the post office located in the near the Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Garden in Nagoya shows the zoo's front gate, a koala and the walking trail monument named after Man'yoshu, a collection of Japanese poetry.

[Date of cancellation: 11 March 2024.]

This mushroom-shaped cancel available in Aibetsu, Hokkaido, shows the Ishikari River, Kinoko no Sato Aibetsu Campground (car, tents, trees), and the Daisetsuzan Mountain Range. 

Insofar as I know, there are a couple more Japanese cancels in this kind of mushroom shape.

[Date of cancellation: 20 February 2024.]

This Hiroshima fukei-in shows an elephant in Asa Zoo:

[Date of cancellation: 15 May 2024.]

Fukei-in showing 3 zoo penguins offered at the post office that is located next to Asahiyama Zoo in the city of Asahikawa (Hokkaido):

[Date of cancellation: 15 May 2024.]

This fukei-in offered at a post office in Nagasaki city (Nagasaki) shows the Nagasaki Penguin Aquarium and penguins (ant the mysterious being on the left side of the penguins is said to be a sea otter – do you think it looks like a sea otter? :sweat_smile: )

[Date of cancellation: 14 May 2024.]

This fukei-in offered in Tokyo (Tokyo) shows the Tokyo Port and the Antarctic Exploration Monument that is surrounded by penguins. The monument was erected in 1936 to mark the 25th anniversary of the first Antarctic expedition led by Japanese crew in 1910.

[Date of cancellation: 13 May 2024.]