1920s Japanese Matchbook Labels, Aviation

Bunkerhill · 3 Jan 2023

Hello, one and all!

I recently added two items to my Japanese matchbook label collection. Both are aviation related and I really the enjoy the designs. Could someone translate the text?

My sincere thanks.

The first depicts aircraft from

mdchachi · 3 Jan 2023

The blue one says 洋酒 "western liquor" on the left airplane and the right airplane says ツバサ "TSUBASA."
I think the bottom is a location:
芝神明境内 Shiba Shinmei Keidai

The white one:
太平洋横断 = Trans-pacific
無着陸飛行‼ = Non-stop flight
帝國飛行協會 = Imperial Aviation Association
東京 = Tokyo
丸の内 = Marunouchi (area near Tokyo station)
援助せよ我が同胞！= Supporting our countrymen
東京芝白金台町二ノ世四帝國マッチ?? = Imperial Match Tokyo Shiba Shirakanedai-machi

Might not be 100% correct but if not hopefully @Majestic will correct it.

Bunkerhill · 4 Jan 2023

mdchachi,

Thank you! The blue label must be for a bar. Does the name in gold letters make sense to you? I have had difficulty reading the letters. I google searched ' Shiba Shinmei Keidai ' and oddly enough came up with a Hiroshige print of a shrine.

again, my thanks for your help.

Majestic · 4 Jan 2023

I think you nailed 98% of it. The only thing is the tiny writing on the bottom of the matchbook on the far right. I think its
東京芝白金台町二ノ丗四. 帝国マッチ社納

Tōkyō, Shiba, Shirokanedai-chō 2-34. Supplied by Imperial Match Company.

Shiba is a section or ward of Tokyo, and Shinmei was a further division inside Shiba ward. From fishing around on the internet, I think the matchbook might be part of a campaign to solicit public funds for the first Japanese non-stop trans Pacific flight in 1928. The Japanese were hoping to be the first to cross the Pacific non-stop, and there was considerable effort put into this endeavor, but apparently the planes built for this purpose weren't able to pass some strict safety inspections, so the planned flight was delayed. Then the public lost interest and the funds ran out, and one thing led to another and the project died out.

Here is what I was reading:

Kawanishi K-12 Sakura - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Majestic · 4 Jan 2023

Tsubasa Kiccha must be the name of a bar/coffee/tea shop.
These kind of small (mom and pop) coffee shops are called "kissaten", or, many decades ago, just "kissa" or "kiccha".
Tsubasa means "wing".

Grandpa Frank · 4 Jan 2023

In the 70's in Japan , it seemed all businesses had small koi ponds out front and free matches with their name , location and phone number. I thought they were super helpful when I wanted to find a place again and would give it to the taxi driver who would take me there fast and cheap.

Bunkerhill · 4 Jan 2023

This is great information, Majestic - thank you so much. I'd never have figured this out. I tried Google translate with other labels and the translation always seems off.

Frank, I had no idea such places in Japan were still using this type of promotion through the 1970s. The ones I collect date from around 1920 - 1930s but some even earlier. The ones from the 1920 - 1930s are very diverse in design. Very inventive. The ones from after the war into the 1950s are also interesting but the earlier ones can get pretty far out with their designs.

Thans again everyone. Always appreciate the help you send along.

mdchachi · 4 Jan 2023

The Keidai part of the name actually means

So it's possible that this cafe was in the environs of the temple you found.

Even in the 90s they were giving out matchbooks all the time. I have my own collection. Probably a gallon container's worth. It will make for a good/small bonfire some day. I should probably try to sell them before my kids get burdened with it. Is it ok to mail matches?

Grandpa Frank · 4 Jan 2023

With no kids , who ever ends up cleaning out my house will fill several dumpsters full of the junk I couldn't bring myself to throw away , LOL.

Bunkerhill · 5 Jan 2023

mdchachi, I think it is illegal to send matches through the mail. Most matchbook label collectors only collect the covers. I have a variety of covers and more modern American labels ( 1940s ) and I rarely ever see covers offered with the matches.

But I see US presidential matchbooks being sold too and those have the matches intact. There must be some legal way around the shipping restriction. You might even try a large group lot of lots of ten matches.

Bunkerhill · 5 Jan 2023

Frank, I'm in the same boat: no children and no relatives who have any interest in what I collect. Nor sure what is going to happen to everything.

Majestic · 5 Jan 2023

Bunkerhill said:
Nor sure what is going to happen to everything.

The "Majestic Family Living Trust" is currently accepting donations.

Bunkerhill · 6 Jan 2023

I'm sure they are!

1920s Japanese Matchbook Labels, Aviation

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