Illustration of a historical stamp for learning, shown at screen size. Not valid for postage.
How to read it
Kanji only, with the chrysanthemum crest in the middle of the top line: Japan.
- 1大日本帝國郵便
- 2壹錢 (1 sen)
- Inscription
- 大日本帝國郵便 · 壹錢
- Meaning
- Read right to left: 大日本帝國郵便, “Great Japan Imperial Post”. 壹錢 is one sen.
- Issued by
- Empire of Japan
- Today
- Japan Flag of Japan
- Year
- 1937. Issued 11 December 1937.
One fact
This 1-sen stamp of 1937 shows farmers harvesting rice; the chrysanthemum crest sits in the middle of the inscription.
Source and public-domain rule
Japan, published under the name of an organisation more than 70 years ago. Published in 1937 under the name of Japan’s postal ministry: 70 years from publication ended in 2007. A work published under the name of a legal person or organisation, such as Japan’s Ministry of Communications, is protected until 70 years after publication (50 years before the 2018 amendment). Legal sources: Copyright Law of Japan (CRIC translation), Arts. 52–53.
Scan: 1sen stamp in 1937.JPG on Wikimedia Commons (revision 790009964), licence templates {{PD-1996}}, {{PD-Japan-organization}}. Downloaded 2026-10-19, sha256 d7342af15720…; cropped and cleaned for this site. Facts checked 2026-10-19 against source 1 and source 2. Open review note: second source for the 1937 issue date is the Commons page only. Research record, not legal advice; a human rights review is pending. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
