Japanese Advertising Prints - Known as hikifuda, advertising handbills or circulars became popular in Japan beginning in the Edo era. Colorful, decorative designs with were printed with large blank areas for the merchant to add his store name and other information. While some featured specific products, most depicted beauties or Japan's famous Seven Lucky Gods and other auspicious imagery. Posters called ebira were pasted up at crossroads or in other busy locations. Ebira were also distributed to announce shop openings or as New Year's greetings. Favorite subjects for holiday ebira included the gods Daikoku and Ebisu with gold coins to ensure good fortune in the coming year. The Meiji era advertising prints in this group come from a publisher's sample book, with binding holes at one side, and appear to be an early form of automated color print, perhaps silk screen or lithograph. An intriguing area of collecting, Japanese advertising prints are fun and unusual items to collect.

Artist - Meiji era artist (unsigned)

Image Size - 9 1/8" x 13 3/8" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Vertical folds. Slight toning and a few creases. Some prints have small tears at edges. Some have slight soiling or a few spots. Please see photos for details.