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Sake Retailer, Japanese Woodblock Ad

Item Type: Antique Print

Year: c.1928 - 98 years old

Artist: Kubo Shozaburo

Size: 9.75" x 14.0" (25cm x 36cm)

Condition: Very Good

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Condition Details


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.

Description

This colorful Japanese advertisement from the Taisho to early Showa period brings together two important traditions of Japanese culture: kabuki theater and sake. Created for a sake retailer in Kyoto, the design uses the dramatic image of a kabuki actor to transform an everyday commercial advertisement into a highly decorative work.

The actor appears in theatrical makeup with an intense expression and raised hands, emerging above a large sake barrel that cleverly serves as the central field for the merchant's information. Cherry blossoms and chrysanthemums frame the composition, while the red lacquer sake cup at lower right immediately identifies the product being promoted.

Kabuki was one of Japan's most popular forms of entertainment, and its actors were major cultural celebrities whose distinctive faces, costumes, and dramatic poses had been celebrated in Japanese prints for centuries. Using this familiar theatrical imagery allowed the merchant to connect his sake business with the excitement and cultural prestige of the theater.

The Kyoto setting is particularly fitting. The city had been an important center of sake culture for centuries, with nearby Fushimi developing into one of Japan's major sake-producing districts. By the early twentieth century, traditional sake merchants were operating within an increasingly modern consumer economy, adopting colorful advertising while continuing to draw upon imagery deeply rooted in Japanese culture.

Originally created as commercial advertising rather than fine art, this piece offers a wonderful glimpse into the worlds of kabuki, sake, and everyday commerce in early twentieth-century Kyoto.

Size: 14.0" x 9.75"

Artist: Kubo Shozaburo

Condition: 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.

Condition Details

Condition - 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.

Grading System

We us a widely recognized 6 scale system to grade our posters.

  • MINT - A poster in mint condition looks like it just came off of the press. It will have no blemishes or defects of any kind. It can be folded or rolled, depending on the original packing method (most movie posters were sent folded).
  • NEAR MINT - A poster in near mint condition may have minor imperfections in the border only. The artwork is in excellent condition with no blemishes whatsoever.
  • VERY GOOD - A poster in very good condition may have blemishes in the border and up to approximately one inch of the poster's artwork. There may be small tears in the artwork along the fold lines only. It may also have minor fading. In general, a poster in very good condition may show some wear and often will project a subtle classic vintage vibe without detracting from the artwork.
  • GOOD - A poster in good condition may have tears or small holes that measure no larger than a quarter on the outer edges of the poster's artwork. Pieces of the border may be torn or missing or have holes; there may be mild bleed-through in the outer area of the artwork; there may be mild fading. In general, a poster in good condition will have minor blemishes around the border and into the outer edges of the artwork. The major area of the artwork will be clear of any blemishes. Some people actually prefer this type of poster, which definitely shows some age and character.
  • FAIR - A poster in fair condition may have major blemishes that directly affect the artwork of the poster. The poster is recognizable and the artwork is primarily intact. A poster in fair condition can benefit from professional restoration.
  • POOR - Posters in poor condition will have serious blemishes or tears or in such poor shape that even the slightest handling might add to the damage. In many cases, a poster in this condition should be professionally restored.
Shipping

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.

Express Shipping: An optional Express Shipping (estimated 2–3 business days) upgrade is available at checkout for domestic U.S. orders.

Unless otherwise noted in the product description or a special offer, shipping rates are as follows:

Posters

  • Domestic shipping- USA: $20 (FREE USA shipping over $125)
  • Canada: $40
  • Europe: $60 USD
  • Australia/New Zealand/Japan/Singapore: $70
  • Israel: $60

Antique Prints, Cover Art & Illustrations

  • Domestic Shipping- USA: $15 (FREE USA shipping over $125)
  • Canada: $30
  • Europe: $40 USD
  • Australia/New Zealand/Japan/Singapore: $50
  • Israel: $50

NOTE for International Shipments: Shipping rates do not include international taxes or duties which may be charged by your country's border customs control agency. 

Returns

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. 

Shipping

To return your product, you should mail your product to:

Authentic Vintage Posters- RETURNS
7514 Girard Ave
STE 1615
La Jolla, CA 92037

You will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable.

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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