Nihon Sakari Sake Kamban (SV12)
This substantial shop sign (kamban) is a magnificent piece of Japanese commercial and sake history. The large, prominent central characters read Nihon Sakari (日本盛), a famous and long-established sake brand produced by the Nada Nishinomiya Sake Brewery Co. The two characters above, Seishu (清酒), translate to "clear liquor," the traditional designation for high-quality sake.
The craftsmanship is exceptional, with the main brand name deeply hand-carved into the thick timber and finished with gold foil. The lower line identifies this as belonging to a Tokuyakuten (Special Contract Store or Exclusive Dealership), specifically the Toritoku Shōten (Toritoku Store). Signs of this scale were originally displayed outside exclusive dealerships to advertise their authorised status. Measuring 152 cm wide, this kamban serves as a powerful statement piece of wall art, showcasing the weathered elegance and prestige of early 20th-century Japanese advertising.
