T. Yoshikawa Weighing Instrument (c. 1915–1930)
An outstanding example of Japan's early industrial age, this wooden sign advertises T. Yoshikawa's precision weighing instruments (Hakari). The heavy timber (Keyaki - Elm), solid construction, reinforced by thick battens visible on the reverse, signifies its value and permanence. Its design is a striking hybrid: high-quality traditional gilt Japanese carving fused with bold, prominent English text ("TRADE MARK," "MANUFACTURE by T. YOSHIKAWA"). This bilingual aesthetic is a key marker of Taishō Modernism, projecting international credibility for precision machinery. This kamban captures Japan’s ambition to compete with Western industrial firms and is a rare, museum-quality piece of commercial history.
