– An original Shōwa-period Japanese porcelain-enamel (hōrō) advertising sign for the insecticide “Hi-Earth” – Features the popular Shōwa singer Mizuhara Hiroshi – a genuine piece of mid-century Japanese commercial graphic design – A characterful retro wall object for collectors of vintage advertising and Shōwa nostalgia Summary: An original Shōwa-era Japanese enamel (hōrō) advertising sign promoting “Hi-Earth”, an insecticide product of the Earth Pharmaceutical company. The sign features the popular Shōwa-period singer Mizuhara Hiroshi, combining brand advertising with celebrity endorsement in the characteristic bold style of mid-twentieth-century Japanese commercial art. As a piece of vintage graphic design and Shōwa material culture, it appeals to European collectors of advertising signage, retro interiors and Japanese nostalgia. The Japanese porcelain-enamel sign (hōrō kanban) is one of the most evocative survivors of the Shōwa commercial landscape. Made by fusing coloured glass enamel onto a steel plate at high temperature, these signs were durable, weatherproof, and brilliantly coloured – designed to be nailed to shopfronts, station walls and roadside buildings across the country. Today they are highly collectible, prized both for their bold graphic design and as windows into the consumer culture of mid-century Japan. This example pairs a recognisable national product with a celebrity face – the singer Mizuhara Hiroshi, one of the popular entertainers of the era. The combination of product name, illustration and brand colours is typical of the period's confident, eye-catching commercial style. In a European interior, a sign of this kind makes a striking wall object in a kitchen, bar, studio, or retro-styled room. It pairs naturally with other vintage advertising, mid-century design, and industrial décor, and offers an unusual point of cross-cultural interest. Condition reflects genuine age and outdoor life, with rust across the surface consistent with an authentic period sign rather than a modern reproduction. This patina is, for many collectors of advertising signage, an essential part of the appeal. A characterful, genuinely vintage piece of Shōwa commercial design. Shipping & Handling We ship worldwide via DHL or EMS with full insurance and tracking. Professional packing ensures safe arrival; combined shipping available for multiple wins. Local customs duties are the buyer’s responsibility. Seller Guarantee We specialise in authentic Japanese collectibles and guarantee this piece’s authenticity. Questions welcome – we reply within 24 hours. 1606