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 - Oban, approximately 14 1/2" x 9 1/2" (not measured individually)

Condition - This print with nice color and detail as shown. Creases at center. Staining, wrinkling, and tears at edges. Please see photos for details.

Shopping Fuji Arts Clearance-

We sell thousands of clearance prints every year in our three ultra-low price categories. Start collecting, purchase an inexpensive print, or discover something special in Fuji Arts Clearance. Notable collectors worldwide shop the clearance regularly.

What prints are in Fuji Arts Clearance?

- Prints that have moved through our auctions and will sell below cost.
- Overstocked prints.
- Prints with condition issues.

Use the item page and photos to shop clearance. We don’t offer support for clearance purchasing (additional photos or enhanced identifications). All available information is on the item page. Clearance prints are final sale.

Shipping minimums: We do not ship orders totaling less than $24.99.