【Important notes】 ・International buyers are responsible for any import duties, taxes, and charges not included in the item price or shipping cost. Please note that VAT paid to Catawiki is separate from and does not cover import duties or customs charges in your country. You may still be required to pay additional fees upon delivery, as determined by your local customs authorities. ・Shipping Details: Most items are shipped via Japan Post EMS (airmail). If you are in a hurry, we can arrange shipping via DHL or FedEx upon request for an additional fee. ・Damage and Issues: If you receive a damaged item, please contact us immediately. The damage must be reported to your local post office within 7 days of delivery, and promptly to us and Catawiki support. 【Product details】 A wooden sign from the North Fire Station Watari Substation in Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture. The substation was newly built and opened on 25 December 1980, operating with fire engines until around 1993 before later becoming part of the wider network of local substations. The characters are carved from wood and painted with a mixture of lacquer and gold powder, giving the surface a traditional gold-coloured finish. The set also includes the wooden fire department emblem finished in the same technique. The emblem features five hose nozzles arranged in the shape of a snowflake. There are age-related scuffs, worn areas where the lacquer has thinned, surface scratches, and a small chip on the front of one character. A couple of cracks run through both the front and back and have been repaired with glue, and the reverse side also shows several small chips and areas of wear. Overall, the sign displays the natural ageing expected from long-term public use. Please refer to the photos for details. Dimensions of Emblem: approx. H 22 cm W 18.7 cm D 4 cm ・Please make sure to review all the provided information and images before placing your bid. ・We make every effort to accurately represent the product's colors and textures in our photos. However, due to differences in monitors and device displays, as well as photographic conditions, slight color variations between the photos and the actual product may occur. We ask for your understanding in advance. Thank you for your interest, and happy bidding!