Kinuta Collection

#phillumeny #japan Based on the text, typography, and administrative details visible on the label, this matchbox label dates to late 1928–1940 (specifically the early Showa period, late 1920s to 1930s).
Key Dating Clues
1. Address: 日本橋区 (Nihonbashi-ku)
Nihonbashi Ward was one of the 15 original wards of Tokyo City.
In March 1947, Nihonbashi Ward merged with Kyobashi Ward to become modern-day Chuo Ward (Chuo-ku). This places a firm upper boundary of early 1947 on the label.
2. Venue: ダンサー (Dancer / Dancing Hall)
The large stylized katakana on the right reads ダンサー (Dansā, written right-to-left: サーサンダ).
Dance halls became wildly popular in Tokyo starting in the late 1920s, with the boom really taking off after 1928–1930.
Under war mobilization regulations (specifically October 1940), commercial dance halls across Japan were strictly banned and forced to close, giving us a strong practical end date of October 1940.
3. Text Direction (Right-to-Left Katakana)
The katakana ダンサー is written horizontally from right to left (サーサンダ).
Horizontal right-to-left reading was standard in pre-WWII Japanese print design and fell out of common commercial practice shortly after WWII.
4. Location Details: 南茅場町十一 (Minami-Kayabachō 11)
Minami-Kayabachō in Nihonbashi-ku was a well-known commercial/financial district in pre-war Tokyo (near modern Kayabachō, Chuo-ku).