Vintage Japanese Calendar — Paper, 1989, Showa Era (SKU: 26M-hsato1989)

Vintage Japanese Calendar 1979, Showa Era (SKU 26M-HSATO1989)

Hand-printed folk-art calendar in the style of Keisuke Serizawa, richly colored on washi for the Showa 54 (1979) year.

This vintage Japanese calendar set presents twelve boldly graphic sheets housed in a textured washi portfolio, each month designed with intricate patterns, playful numerals and seasonal motifs. Executed in the katazome stencil-dyeing tradition associated with Keisuke Serizawa, the pages combine vivid vermilion, soft blues and moss greens with stylized kanji, zodiac symbols and auspicious icons, creating a lively fusion of mingei (folk craft) warmth and modern design.

Printed on thick, deckle-edged washi, the sheets have a tactile, handmade presence that makes them ideal for framing individually or enjoyed together as a complete Showa-era calendar. The inner Japanese text sheet outlines the importance of Serizawa’s calendar work and provides a brief chronology of his career, underscoring the cultural value of this piece for collectors of 20th-century Japanese prints and design.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: Showa period, 1979 (Showa 54)
• Material: Hand-printed pigments on washi paper with washi portfolio
• Use: Wall calendar, print collection, or individual sheets for framing and interior display
• Features: Folk-art style calendar attributed to the katazome tradition of Keisuke Serizawa; twelve richly colored monthly sheets plus printed Japanese colophon/biography; decorative cover design dated 1979; strong graphic numerals and seasonal motifs ideal for Showa-era and mingei design enthusiasts.
• Dimensions: --
• Condition: Excellent vintage condition with bright colors and only minor age toning appropriate to paper of this period.

A vibrant and collectible Showa calendar that beautifully represents the enduring appeal of Serizawa-inspired Japanese stencil-dyed design.

We use professional studio lighting to highlight the natural character of the wood. As a result, the tone may appear slightly warmer than under natural daylight.

All vintage and antique items are sold as-is. Each piece may exhibit signs of age, including scratches, wear, or minor imperfections. These are not considered defects but natural evidence of the item’s authenticity and age.