Japan - Postcard - 1930-1930
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Eight vintage Japanese RPPC photographic cards from 1930, depicting Kabuki theatre with Onnagata and traditional costumes, in good vintage condition with light oxidation, yellowing, and minor edge wear, one card featuring a non‑penetrating tear.
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Description from the seller
A homogeneous and rare set of 8 vintage photographic postcards (silver gelatin prints in black and white / sepia) from Japan.
These studio and stage photographs of the RPPC (Real Photo Postcard) type highlight the art of traditional Kabuki theater. They capture with great finesse the dramatic theatrical expressions, traditional interior décors (tatami, screens, bamboo partitions, shōji), and period costumes (kimonos, elaborate hairstyles and ritual makeup).
Several of these cards illustrate the fascinating work of the Onnagata, male actors who specialize in the highly stylized interpretation of female roles.
Other shots present typical male roles with traditional period hairstyles (chonmage).
Beginning of the Shōwa period, circa 1930–1945. The modernist typography in a so‑called "Art Deco" style on the back, the clean layout of the text blocks ("Correspondence" / "Address"), the postage stamp box delimited by geometric corners, and the use of directional studio lighting confirm a production from the 1930s (and exclude the 1910 period).
Back not divided by a physical line, but arranged in a modern manner with the printed English labels "POST CARD", "CORRESPONDENCE", "ADDRESS" and the stamp placement "PLACE STAMP HERE". Country of origin: Japan.
Condition: Overall vintage condition: Good with a localized defect. Unused cards (free of any writing or postage stamp on the back).
Presence of light oxidation traces (silvering), natural paper yellowing due to aging, and discreet wear on corners and edges.
Note: One of the cards (depicting the seated actor in profile before his makeup kit and mirror) has a non-through tear at the top center."
A homogeneous and rare set of 8 vintage photographic postcards (silver gelatin prints in black and white / sepia) from Japan.
These studio and stage photographs of the RPPC (Real Photo Postcard) type highlight the art of traditional Kabuki theater. They capture with great finesse the dramatic theatrical expressions, traditional interior décors (tatami, screens, bamboo partitions, shōji), and period costumes (kimonos, elaborate hairstyles and ritual makeup).
Several of these cards illustrate the fascinating work of the Onnagata, male actors who specialize in the highly stylized interpretation of female roles.
Other shots present typical male roles with traditional period hairstyles (chonmage).
Beginning of the Shōwa period, circa 1930–1945. The modernist typography in a so‑called "Art Deco" style on the back, the clean layout of the text blocks ("Correspondence" / "Address"), the postage stamp box delimited by geometric corners, and the use of directional studio lighting confirm a production from the 1930s (and exclude the 1910 period).
Back not divided by a physical line, but arranged in a modern manner with the printed English labels "POST CARD", "CORRESPONDENCE", "ADDRESS" and the stamp placement "PLACE STAMP HERE". Country of origin: Japan.
Condition: Overall vintage condition: Good with a localized defect. Unused cards (free of any writing or postage stamp on the back).
Presence of light oxidation traces (silvering), natural paper yellowing due to aging, and discreet wear on corners and edges.
Note: One of the cards (depicting the seated actor in profile before his makeup kit and mirror) has a non-through tear at the top center."
Details
Era
1900-2000
Country of origin
Japan
Year - youngest item
1930
Year - oldest item
1930
Condition
Good condition
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