Japan – Scott #s 1403-04

Description

This mint never hinged pair from Japan, Scott #1403–1404, features reproductions of modern Japanese paintings, each issued with a 50-yen denomination. The two designs highlight contrasting artistic traditions, pairing Western-influenced portraiture with classical Japanese figurative elegance.

One stamp reproduces a painterly portrait of a young woman holding a fan, rendered in a soft, impressionistic style with subtle shading and expressive facial detail. The composition reflects the influence of Western oil painting techniques adopted by Japanese artists in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, emphasizing mood, realism, and personal presence.

The companion stamp presents a traditional Japanese female figure in kimono, shown in profile holding an open fan. The crisp linework, refined patterns, and restrained background evoke classical ukiyo-e and nihonga aesthetics, emphasizing grace, costume, and formal beauty.

Together, the pair illustrates the dialogue between Western and traditional Japanese art forms that shaped modern Japanese painting. Issued as part of Japan’s fine art stamp program, this set appeals strongly to collectors of art on stamps, portraiture, costume, and cultural history.

The pair is offered MNH, with full original gum, bright color, and clean, well-defined perforations throughout.

Scott Catalog Numbers: 1403–1404
Country: Japan
Denomination: ¥50 (x2)
Subject: Modern Japanese Paintings
Theme: Art / Culture / Painting / Portrait
Format: Pair of Stamps
Condition: Mint Never Hinged (MNH)