Title: 1935 Japan Manchukuo Emperor Puyi Visit Tokyo Station Imperial Welcome Colourised Postcard
Front Description:
A colourised real photo postcard capturing the formal imperial welcome ceremony at Tokyo Station for the state visit of Emperor Puyi of Manchukuo (満洲國皇帝陛下), who visited Japan in April 1935 at the invitation of Emperor Hirohito. The scene is set inside the grand train platform hall of Tokyo Station, identifiable by its magnificent arched iron and glass roof structure spanning the full width of the image, and a large round station clock visible suspended from the ceiling in the upper right. A long red carpet with white border stripes runs the full length of the platform, forming the ceremonial arrival pathway. Lining both sides of the red carpet is a formal honour guard of Japanese Imperial military officers in full dress uniform — dark navy tunics with gold and red decorative braiding, red and white diagonal sashes across the chest, white plumed ceremonial helmets with red plume tips, white gloves, and swords at their sides. The officers stand in rigid attention formation extending deep into the background. In the centre of the composition, two senior figures are prominent on the carpet — one walking slightly ahead, both in full dress military uniform with elaborate ceremonial decoration, red and white sashes, epaulettes, and medals, suggesting these are the principal dignitaries of the reception. A train is partially visible on the left side of the platform behind the honour guard. The upper left area of the image has sustained significant damage — a large irregular area of white paint or chemical damage has obscured part of the image in the upper left quadrant. The bottom caption printed in blue Japanese reads right to left: 東京駅ホームに御出迎えの天皇陛下（満洲國皇帝陛下御来訪の実況）— translating as: "His Majesty the Emperor welcoming at Tokyo Station Platform (Actual scene of the Imperial visit of His Majesty the Emperor of Manchukuo)."
Back Description:
POST CARD printed in large outline hollow capital letters across the top centre. CORRESPONDENCE is printed in smaller capitals on the left of a horizontal dividing line, and ADDRESS on the right, with a circled letter M monogram at the centre junction point — the publisher's trademark. Made in Japan is printed in small type in the upper left. A vertical line divides message and address areas below. Within the stamp box area in the upper right, the publisher's details are printed in two lines: Kanda Tokyo and Matsumura Co. — identifying the publisher as Matsumura Company of Kanda, Tokyo, a known Japanese postcard publisher. Along the far right edge, printed vertically in Japanese characters: サン・せ・せ商業 (San Se Se Shōgyō — a publisher series designation). The card stock is white and has aged with light foxing spots and toning throughout. The card is entirely unwritten and unposted with no handwritten message, address, or postage stamp affixed.
Estimated Era: Showa Period Japan, precisely April 1935 (Showa 10), documenting the historic state visit of Emperor Puyi of Manchukuo to Japan — the first and only such visit — which took place from April 6 to 28, 1935. An exceptionally historically significant diplomatic commemorative postcard documenting the formal alliance between Imperial Japan and the puppet state of Manchukuo.