[UTAGAWA, KIN]. 宇田川鈞.

年賀状お手本. [Nengajō otehon].
Model Examples of New Years Cards]*.

大日本雄辯會講談社 [Dainihon Yūbenkai Kōdansha]. Showa 12 [ 1937]. Stock ID #176064

Contents bound concertina style between colour card slightly worn and soiled covers, surface of paper abraded in one small place causing loss of 5 characters, 21.02 x 15.2 cm. Issued as a supplement to 少女倶楽部. [Shōjo Kurabu] on New Year's Day Showa 12 [1937]. A good copy offering a fascinating insight to this specialised side of Japanese etiquette.

A 1930s illustrated concertina-folded booklet in Japanese for women illustrating how to make New Year cards. The attractively designed and illustrated booklet emphasises the importance of adjusting the messages according to the recipient (with different messages for relatives, friends, superiors etc), and provides sample texts appropriate for various addressees. The author advises that postcard-style cards are suitable for friends, but that superiors or those to whom one owes a debt of gratitude should be sent cards in sealed envelopes. Readers are also reminded not to send cards to people who are in mourning, and sample texts are provided to be sent when the sender is in mourning, explaining that they will not be sending New year's greetings this year. An intriguing insight into an important and complex Japanese custom which has faded in recent years with the spread of electronic communications.

When referring to this item please quote stockid 176064.

Price: $95.00 AU

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