Vintage Japanese Signboard (SKU: 25D-318-2) -

Vintage Japanese Kanban Signboard - 1970s Showa Era (25D-318-2)

SKU:
25D-318-2
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IMPORTED FROM JAPAN
Dimensions: 9 1/2"W X 9 1/2"H
Ship From Location: Berkeley, California

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Description

Vintage Japanese Kanban Signboard (SKU 25D-318-2)

Showa-era metal stencil signboard with bold cut-out kanji and shop mark

This vintage Japanese signboard is actually an original metal stencil plate once used to mark product boxes or sacks for a traditional merchant. The surface is richly patinated from decades of use, while the crisply cut-out kanji, numerals, and circular shop emblem create a striking interplay of light and shadow when hung on the wall.

Likely dating to the mid–Showa period, this industrial yet artisanal piece embodies the atmosphere of Japan’s postwar shōtengai (shopping streets). Whether displayed as wabi-sabi wall art, integrated into a minka-style interior, or repurposed in a retail space, it offers an authentic fragment of everyday commercial history.

  • Origin: Japan
  • Era: Showa period (circa 1950s–1970s)
  • Material: Cut steel sheet with aged patina
  • Use: Merchant’s stencil / signboard for marking goods and packaging
  • Features: Showa-era typography; circular shop crest; kanji and numeric cut-outs; original hanging wire; dark industrial patina ideal for vintage Japanese décor and wall display
  • Dimensions: 9 1/2"W X 9 1/2"H
  • Condition: Excellent vintage condition with surface wear, spots, and oxidation consistent with age and use

A characterful piece of Showa-era signage that brings genuine Japanese shopfront atmosphere to any space.

 

As part of our mission to preserve and share Japanese craftsmanship, we offer antiques that were made not just to be admired, but to be used. These pieces were crafted for everyday life, and we honor their purpose by ensuring they can continue to be enjoyed and lived with today.

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.

Additional Information
size:
9 1/2"W X 9 1/2"H