For Today's Dilemma, We Look At A Japanese Cover

I can't help translate the Japanese, but I will point out one thing. The proper orientation of this cover is vertical. I discovered this after acquiring some postal stationery from Japan.

Just for the sake of closure, the following info came compliments of Scott Payton (paraphrased):

The Japanese cover was mailed to the Zojoji Temple, Shiba Koen (Shiba Park), Tokyo around 1914 franked by a 3-sen rose issue of 1914, Scott 131. The stamp is tied to the envelope by a lightly struck (and hence unreadable) circular handstamp.

Notations on the envelope reference a planned pilgrimage to be made to the temple and requests support from the addressee. The purple handstamp is likely that of the writer making the request.

Of note is that the Zojoji Temple was the only temple in Tokyo that was still standing at the end of World War II.

Good, as I did not receive an answer from my contact.

Appreciate you trying...thanks !

Hi docgfd,

Might be a bit-too-late reply to this topic, but would like to provide adequate information on this cover -

The cover is addressed to No. 33, 5-ban-cho, Shimo Honda Machi, Kanazawa city, Ishikawa prefecture. The sender's address (on the back) is No. 1191, Uehara, Yoyogi, Tokyo Prefecture.

The scripts on the front could be read as (from right to left, top to bottom):

Ishikawa Ken Kanazawa Shi (Ishikawa prefecture, Kanazawa city)
Shimo Hon Da Machi 5 Ban Cho 33
Hira-o Matsu-Saku Sama (to Mr. Matsusaku HIRAO) (note: Mr Hirao's given name may be pronounced different, such as Sho-Saku etc.)

The scripts on the back could be read as (from right to left, top to bottom):

Tokyo Shi Gai Yo Yo Gi (Tokyo city suburb Yoyogi)
Ue Hara 1191
August 28
Hirao Kazuyoshi

(Seems that the sender and recipient are relatives)

So there is no connection to Zozoji Temple, nor any request or other notations on the cover.

The purple seal (read as "Kan" = "to seal") is a common (private) chop for sealing the envelope, which is still often used here in Japan.


- Hironobu

(1) the oval violet mark over the backflap says "sealed". This also comes handwritten. Purely private.

(2) It is adressed to Kanazawa city, Ishikawa prefecture.
Senders address on reverse is Tokyo Yoyogi Uehara.
Yoyogi is the northern part of Shibuya district.
Top left there is a written date of 8th month 2nd day.

(3) The postmark is very faint. The only thing apprx visible is a "1" at left, part of the inland style year writing at left.
The stamp is old plate of 1914/19, so this perhaps 11th year/1922.
So a guess is August 2, 1922

(4) Stamp has two straight edges so was the bottom left corner of a booklet pane. These were first issued in May of 1914.