1949 Postal Week 'Beauty Looking Back'

Name: 1949 Postal Week 'Beauty Looking Back'
Brand: Japan

Japan · 1949 · 8 JPY

This stamp commemorates Postal Week and features the famous ukiyo-e painting 'Mikaeri Bijin' (Beauty Looking Back) by Hishikawa Moronobu. The artwork, dating from the late 17th century, is a masterpiece of the genre and depicts an elegant woman in a vibrant red kimono glancing over her shoulder. It is considered one of the most beautiful and iconic Japanese stamps ever issued.

Issued during the post-WWII occupation period, this stamp was part of a series celebrating Japanese culture and heritage, helping to foster national pride and international recognition of its artistic traditions.

Printing Method

Photogravure

Themes

art painting ukiyo-e postal-week hishikawa-moronobu

Catalog Numbers

sg510

scott438

michel488

Image: · License:

View on Wikimedia Commons

Estimated Values by Condition

Superb(S)

Perfectly centered, fresh, no faults

$15

Extremely Fine(XF)

Well centered, fresh colors

Very Fine(VF)

Nicely centered, minor flaws

Fine(F)

Average centering, acceptable

Good(G)

Off-center or visible wear

$0.5

Prices are approximate market estimates for educational purposes. Actual values depend on specific factors including cancel type, margins, and provenance.