Description: The definitive stamp belongs to a highly regarded regional scenery series released by the postal administration of the Empire of Japan. Centered at the top sits the prominent sixteen-petal Imperial Chrysanthemum Crest, which represents the sovereign authority of the Emperor. The central vignette captures the sweeping, curved gables and stone foundations of Nagoya Castle framed by stylized pine trees. Traditional kanji characters across the bottom margin read ten sen, which is flanked symmetrically by Western digits on the left and the abbreviated currency symbol on the right. This specific example exhibits typical comb perforations and carries a bold, dark hand-stamped cancellation mark slicing diagonally across the right side of the frame.
Circa: 1926
Condition: Used.
Notes:
Nagoya Castle, completed in the early seventeenth century, remained one of Japan’s best-known feudal landmarks until its destruction in 1945. This stamp preserves the original castle in miniature and gives the issue a quiet documentary value beyond its postal function.
The design holds great architectural and historical significance for collectors because the majestic main keep depicted on the stamp was completely destroyed by Allied bombing raids during World War II, leaving this vintage engraving as a beautiful record of its pre-war appearance.