Japan: 1872 Cherry Blossom, 1 SEN Blue. Unused. Rare as unused. Lovely stamp. 

The 1872 Japan 1 Sen Blue is part of Japan’s first modern postage stamp series, commonly known as the “Cherry Blossom” issue, introduced during the early Meiji postal reforms.

About the Stamp

• Country: Japan

• Year Issued: 1872

• Denomination: 1 Sen

• Colour: Blue (often deep blue to pale blue depending on printing)

• Series: First Cherry Blossom issue

• Design features:

  • Central “1 SEN” value tablet

  • Four chrysanthemum imperial crests

  • Decorative cherry blossom motifs

  • Early Japanese stamps often included syllabic kana characters to identify plates

These early issues were produced shortly after the establishment of Japan’s modern postal service in 1871, when the country rapidly modernised its communications system.

Printing Characteristics

• Printing method: Woodblock printing

• Paper: Thin handmade Japanese paper (often fibrous)

• Perforation: Imperforate (scissors were used to separate stamps)

• Gum: Original gum on unused examples is often thin and uneven.

Because of the handmade paper and woodblock process, no two stamps look exactly identical, which is part of their appeal to collectors.

Catalogue: 

Condition                             Catalogue Value:

Unused:                                 $250 - $500+ USD.