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Item Type: Antique Print
Year: c.1900 - 126 years old
Size: 9.75" x 14.5" (25cm x 37cm)
Condition:
This Meiji-era hikifuda was created as an advertising handbill for Misugie Store, a paper and stationery merchant with locations in Shiga Prefecture near Lake Biwa. Hikifuda were a uniquely Japanese form of commercial advertising, distributed by merchants to customers as both promotional material and decorative gifts.
The design features a pair of shishi, traditional guardian lions associated with protection and good fortune, surrounded by colorful peonies. The pairing is particularly auspicious, as peonies symbolize wealth, prosperity, and honor in East Asian culture. Together, the lions and flowers created an image of protection and prosperity well suited to a merchant wishing success for both his business and customers.
The central calligraphy advertises Misugie Store's selection of paper, account books, and stationery supplies. These were increasingly important goods during the Meiji period as literacy, education, modern business practices, and record keeping expanded throughout Japan. Shiga Prefecture itself had a long commercial history, with nearby Ōtsu serving as an important stop along the historic Tōkaidō route connecting Kyoto and Edo, present-day Tokyo.
The piece reflects the fascinating transformation of Japanese commerce during the Meiji period (1868–1912). As Japan rapidly modernized and adopted new approaches to business and advertising, merchants continued to rely on familiar artistic traditions and symbols to appeal to their customers.
Originally created as everyday commercial material rather than fine art, this hikifuda transforms an advertisement for something as practical as paper and stationery into a colorful decorative print and a wonderful record of regional commerce in Meiji-era Japan.
Size: 14.5" x 9.75"
Condition: Good to Very Good, Age-appropriate wear. Paper toning in accordance with the print's age. Marks/stains as per photo. Wear around the edges and minor paper loss might be present in some prints. Please refer to each print's image to get a better understanding of the condition.
Age-appropriate wear. Paper toning in accordance with the print's age. Marks/stains as per photo. Wear around the edges and minor paper loss might be present in some prints. Please refer to each print's image to get a better understanding of the condition.
We us a widely recognized 6 scale system to grade our posters.
All items are carefully hand-packed and shipped in a sturdy tube within 3 business days of payment unless otherwise indicated. Some items which were previously folded or not suitable for rolling will be sent in a flat pack. Please note that an adult signature may be required upon delivery, so we are unable to ship to PO boxes.
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Our Guarantee
All of our posters are guaranteed to be authentic and as described in the product description to the best of our knowledge and belief, and in good faith. Quite simply, if you are not satisfied with your purchase for any reason, simply contact us within 14 days of receipt and we'll gladly accept your return, providing the item is in the same condition as it was sent.
Returns
Our policy lasts 14 days. If 14 days have gone by since your purchase, unfortunately, we can’t offer you a refund or exchange.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be in the same condition that you received it. It must also be sent in the original packaging.
There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted (if applicable). Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error. Any item that is returned more than 14 days after delivery may also be ineligible.
Once your return is received and inspected, we will send you an email to notify you that we have received your returned item. Your refund will be processed, and a credit will automatically be applied to your credit card or original method of payment, within two business days. Original shipping costs are not refundable.
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To return your product, you should mail your product to:
Authentic Vintage Posters- RETURNS
7514 Girard Ave
STE 1615
La Jolla, CA 92037
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If you are returning an item over $75, you should consider using a trackable shipping service and purchasing shipping insurance. We can't guarantee that we will receive your returned item.
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