Japanese Showa era definitive stamps
Record status
Individual type · research required
Period
Showa era
Issuing entity
JapanJapanese Showa era definitive stamps are regular-issue postage stamps released by Japan during the Showa era, featuring designs drawn from national landmarks and cultural motifs alongside changing state imagery. Earlier stamps within the era carried forward longstanding traditions, including the depiction of the imperial chrysanthemum crest in lieu of the emperor's portrait, along with denominations expressed in Latin characters.
The series experienced major shifts in manufacturing and subject matter across the mid-twentieth century. In 1942, a definitive series portrayed war workers and saluting aviators, which was followed in 1945 and 1946 by crudely printed, imperforate issues. Post-war definitives saw the removal of the imperial chrysanthemum after 1947 and the addition of the Latin inscription "NIPPON" starting in 1966 in compliance with Universal Postal Union regulations.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 2
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
Japanese definitives of this period are dated by era year, which requires conversion to the Gregorian calendar. The stamps directly mirrored Japan's political and military trajectory during the Showa era, shifting to wartime subjects such as industrial laborers and saluting aviators following entry into World War II in 1942. The disruption at the war's end led to emergency production conditions, seen in the crudely printed and imperforate issues of 1945 and 1946. The imperial chrysanthemum crest was permanently removed from Japanese stamp designs in 1947, and postal practices modernized further in 1966 when the name "NIPPON" was officially incorporated in Latin script to conform with UPU rules.
Identification
- Recognition pointers (from background sources)
- Look for the imperial chrysanthemum crest on definitives produced up to 1947. Identify 1945 and 1946 definitive issues by their crude printing quality and imperforate edges. Check for the Latin-character inscription "NIPPON", which was introduced on stamps starting in 1966. Note era-based year dates, which require conversion to Gregorian calendar years.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Series list, era-year to Gregorian conversions and perforation data require a standard catalogue