Japan 10 Sen, Meiji Era, Syllabic 10 (Ro)

Japan · 1875 · 10 Sen

This definitive stamp from the Meiji era features an allegorical portrait of a court official, representing a traditional figure from Japan's past. The design is part of the 'Kobun' series, characterized by its intricate engraving and the use of syllabic characters (in this case, 'ro' for 10) in the corners as anti-forgery devices. The denomination is 10 Sen, indicated at the bottom.

Issued in 1875 during the Meiji Restoration, this stamp represents a period of rapid modernization in Japan while still honoring traditional aesthetics. The 'Kobun' series was Japan's third definitive issue and was printed by the Imperial Printing Bureau (Insatsu-kyoku).