Features
Specifications
Length 47 cm, width 32 cm, height 2 cm
Historical background and cultural value
This wooden shop sign comes from the Edo period in Japan and is several hundred years old. The Edo period was an important time of commercial prosperity and craft development in Japan; this sign represents the hair-dyeing techniques and hairdressing culture of the time, in particular the demand for dyeing grey hair, and carries a rich historical and cultural background.
Marks of age: the surface of the sign shows the marks left by time and a naturally weathered effect; these genuine traces of history add to its value for collecting and display.
Material and craftsmanship
Carved in wood: the sign is carved from good-quality wood, with fine detail that shows the accomplished skill of traditional Edo-period craftsmen. With the passage of time the grain of the wood has come out more strongly, giving a plain and substantial feel.
Design and lettering: the sign is carved with the Japanese characters for "hair dye for grey hair"; the lettering is clear and straightforward, and its design reflects the aesthetic style of the time. The hairstyle motif in one corner adds interest and an artistic touch, faithfully preserving the commercial design of the period.