Can't Identify This Non-Denominated Stamp - Maybe Japanese Cinderella?

I haven't been able to find this stamp in the Scott (1999) catalog. The flower looks like it could be Japanese since I see that same flower (cherry blossom?) on the early definitives, however, the language characters don't look Japanese to me and I don't see a denomination. Also didn't see it under Manchukuo.

Maybe this a Cinderella? Any help appreciated in identifying it. I looked through the threads and didn't see this one.

Sorry this is a bit grainy.

Thank You,
Brian




*** Moved by Staff to a more appropriate forum. ***

It's a revenue stamp from Japan. The chrysanthemum and the blocky "figure 8" at the right side of the top tablet are the dead giveaways.

Wow that was fast! Thank you Cjd.

Brian

To be more clear, the chrysanthemum and the figure 8 are indicators of Japan, not just revenues. Here are both, at the left and right, respectively:



The chrysanthemum should always have 16 petals. Earlier forgeries of classic Japan sometimes missed this, and the number of petals varied.

If the middle (horizontal) bar of the figure 8 device doesn't quite touch the two vertical sides, you're still looking at Japan, but a prefecture issue; those are listed separately, so keep flipping pages.

ETA: An item could also say "Nippon" which is Japan.

This is great help! Thank you very much.

1924 General Tax

Thank you Rod. Nice page!

Brian

Brian,
if you Google "Japanese Revenue Stamps" or similar,
you should be able to find a lovely *.pdf catalogue on line for Free

It explains all the markings and with colour images of the stamps.

Anker Nielsen
adapted by Ed Kawasaki
2014

The "figure 8" is number "5".

You're looking at a different "figure 8". The one at the right side of the bottom tablet is the number 5. Cjd was talking about the one at the right side of the top tablet, which represents the sun and is the first character of "Nippon".

Something that hasn't been mentioned yet, but is important to keep in mind, is that horizontal Japanese writing can run from left to right or right to left. Left to right has been the norm since World War II, but older stamps (such as the one that Brian posted) often have inscriptions that run from right to left.

Thanks Rod. I downloaded the PDF. It is a really a nice guide and opens a whole new world to me. I only have one Japanese Revenue stamp now (thanks to the team identifying it) but I really like some of the varieties shown. Some of the color combinations are really unusual like the two tone 1 yen tax stamp (1898 - 1909) and the details are fantastic! The early silk and silkworm egg ones must be exciting to find.

To me it is a pretty exotic collection topic. Is it difficult/expensive to collect?

Hi Brian,
Not difficult, Japan Revenues and seals have a HUGE array,
and I agree, they are handsome and intriguing stamps.

Price? this is relative to where you are and your disposable income.

I was picking them up for years at about 20c to 80c each

Now (Aussie Ebay the cheapest is around $7...outrageous!)

Americans have an embarrassment of riches to pick from,
prices and postage would be envious to me.

Because of price, I stopped collecting them 4 years ago.
Have fun!

Here is an Oz example $32 (c$20 US) =$3 each

Thanks for the info Rod. I have learned a lot over the last few days and I appreciate your help. That guide by Nielsen is tremendous.

It is crazy how the prices on these have blown up. Bet you are glad you got them when you did.