{"product_id":"vintage-japanese-advertising-matchboxes-showa-retro-graphic-design","title":"Vintage Japanese Advertising Matchboxes | Showa Retro Graphic Design","description":"\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOnce commonly given away as complimentary advertisements by cafés, restaurants, bars, and local businesses, matchboxes were a familiar part of everyday life in Japan. Their small surfaces often featured surprisingly creative illustrations, lettering, and local advertising.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDisplay it on a shelf, frame it as miniature graphic artwork, or add it to a collection of Japanese ephemera and retro design.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese vintage Japanese matchboxes are sold individually. Please select your preferred design from the available options.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCoffee Shop Kenya\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eA charming kissaten-style design featuring an illustration of a cup of coffee. The warm colour palette, playful lettering, and distinctly retro typography capture the atmosphere of a neighbourhood Japanese coffee shop during the Showa era.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYakumo (Vessels Design)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eDecorated with a collection of vessels in various shapes, this design has an expressive, handcrafted quality. Both the illustrations and lettering resemble a small piece of woodblock or print art. The original business has not been confirmed, but it may have been associated with tableware, ceramics, or a restaurant.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUni (Sun Face Design) \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eA wonderfully unusual advertising design featuring a sun with a human-like face. This matchbox was produced for a consumer finance company and appears somewhat newer than the other designs. A map printed on the reverse uses the word \u003cem style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eKokuden\u003c\/em\u003e, the former name commonly used for urban trains operated by Japanese National Railways, suggesting that it dates from the late Showa period, likely before or around 1987.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePLEASE NOTE\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis listing is for one empty vintage matchbox only. Matches are not included due to shipping regulations.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlease select your preferred design. Each matchbox is sold separately, not as a set.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nagamochi Shop","offers":[{"title":"CoffeeShop Kenya","offer_id":46931682525383,"sku":null,"price":6.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Yakumo (Vessels Design)","offer_id":46931682558151,"sku":null,"price":6.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Uni (Sun Face Design)","offer_id":46931682590919,"sku":null,"price":6.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0541\/0727\/5463\/files\/japanese_vintage_matchboxes_9471.jpg?v=1785569408","url":"https:\/\/nagamochishop.com\/en-us\/products\/vintage-japanese-advertising-matchboxes-showa-retro-graphic-design","provider":"Nagamochi Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}