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"Merchant Advertising" Hand Carved Woodblock Set

"Merchant Advertising" Hand Carved Woodblock Set

Set of Three

Regular price $99.00
Regular price $125.00 Sale price $99.00
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Low stock: 1 left

  • Ships from NY
  • One-of-a-kind
  • Sourced from Japan

This group of three hand-carved blocks features auspicious phrases traditionally used in merchant advertising and celebratory prints. The characters are carved in reverse so they would print correctly when inked and pressed onto paper.

One block reads, "A warm welcome to all guests", a phrase commonly displayed by shops and inns. 

The second block reads, "Kumamoto Confectionery Shop", suggesting it may have been used for packaging, labels, or promotional paper from a sweets merchant.

The third block features the phrase "Good fortune opens and progress advances each day", a classic prosperity wish associated with business success. 

The darkened surfaces, ink staining, and worn carving marks reflects their history as functional printing tools used repeatedly in traditional Japanese printing practices.

2.75" x 2.25" x .75"

1.75" x 1.75" x .5"

2.75" x 1.5" x .75"

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Made In (Estimated): Late 1800s to Early 1900s
Condition: Excellent Vintage

SKU:0326misc26

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