Japan – Scott # 1351

Description

This mint never hinged miniature sheet from Japan, Scott #1351, was issued in 1979 as part of Japan’s traditional New Year (Otoshidama) Lottery, with sheets of this type distributed as prizes to winning ticket holders. These lottery prize issues are a distinctive feature of modern Japanese philately, combining postal validity with celebratory presentation and limited-purpose distribution.

The sheet contains two 20-yen stamps, each depicting a treasure bag (takarabukuro), a classic New Year symbol representing prosperity, good fortune, and gift-giving. The stamps are set within a larger decorative sheet, linked visually by a central illustration of daffodil flowers, a motif associated with renewal and the turning of the year. The soft, sketch-like floral artwork contrasts elegantly with the bold green stamp designs.

The layout emphasizes symmetry and refinement, with the stamps framed by dotted borders and fully integrated into the overall sheet design rather than treated as standalone elements. As a New Year Lottery prize issue, this miniature sheet reflects both Japanese cultural tradition and thoughtful graphic design, appealing strongly to collectors of Japan, holiday issues, symbolic art, and lottery-related philatelic material.

The sheet is offered MNH, with full original gum, fresh color, and clean, undisturbed margins throughout.

Scott Catalog Number: 1351
Country: Japan
Year of Issue: 1979
Denomination: ¥20 (x2)
Subject: New Year Lottery (Otoshidama)
Theme: Holiday / Culture / Symbolism / Flora / Lottery
Format: Miniature Sheet of 2
Condition: Mint Never Hinged (MNH)