Campbell Vintage

Japanese Pre-War Insurance Sign – Minato-Ei Life Company (c.1920–40)

£290.00 Sale • Save
Japanese pre-war Minato-Ei Life Insurance hand-painted wooden sign with gilt calligraphy
Japanese pre-war Minato-Ei Life Insurance hand-painted wooden sign with gilt calligraphy
Japanese pre-war Minato-Ei Life Insurance hand-painted wooden sign with gilt calligraphy
Japanese pre-war Minato-Ei Life Insurance hand-painted wooden sign with gilt calligraphy
Japanese pre-war Minato-Ei Life Insurance hand-painted wooden sign with gilt calligraphy
Japanese pre-war Minato-Ei Life Insurance hand-painted wooden sign with gilt calligraphy
Japanese pre-war Minato-Ei Life Insurance hand-painted wooden sign with gilt calligraphy
Japanese pre-war Minato-Ei Life Insurance hand-painted wooden sign with gilt calligraphy
Japanese pre-war Minato-Ei Life Insurance hand-painted wooden sign with gilt calligraphy
Japanese pre-war Minato-Ei Life Insurance hand-painted wooden sign with gilt calligraphy
Japanese pre-war Minato-Ei Life Insurance hand-painted wooden sign with gilt calligraphy
Japanese pre-war Minato-Ei Life Insurance hand-painted wooden sign with gilt calligraphy
Japanese pre-war Minato-Ei Life Insurance hand-painted wooden sign with gilt calligraphy
Japanese pre-war Minato-Ei Life Insurance hand-painted wooden sign with gilt calligraphy
Japanese pre-war Minato-Ei Life Insurance hand-painted wooden sign with gilt calligraphy
Japanese pre-war Minato-Ei Life Insurance hand-painted wooden sign with gilt calligraphy
Japanese pre-war Minato-Ei Life Insurance hand-painted wooden sign with gilt calligraphy
Japanese pre-war Minato-Ei Life Insurance hand-painted wooden sign with gilt calligraphy
Japanese pre-war Minato-Ei Life Insurance hand-painted wooden sign with gilt calligraphy
Japanese pre-war Minato-Ei Life Insurance hand-painted wooden sign with gilt calligraphy
Japanese pre-war Minato-Ei Life Insurance hand-painted wooden sign with gilt calligraphy
Japanese pre-war Minato-Ei Life Insurance hand-painted wooden sign with gilt calligraphy
Japanese pre-war Minato-Ei Life Insurance hand-painted wooden sign with gilt calligraphy
Japanese pre-war Minato-Ei Life Insurance hand-painted wooden sign with gilt calligraphy
Japanese pre-war Minato-Ei Life Insurance hand-painted wooden sign with gilt calligraphy
Japanese pre-war Minato-Ei Life Insurance hand-painted wooden sign with gilt calligraphy
Japanese pre-war Minato-Ei Life Insurance hand-painted wooden sign with gilt calligraphy
Japanese pre-war Minato-Ei Life Insurance hand-painted wooden sign with gilt calligraphy

Campbell Vintage

Japanese Pre-War Insurance Sign – Minato-Ei Life Company (c.1920–40)

£290.00 Sale • Save
Fully insured UK delivery is calculated at checkout (typically £12–£45). Larger items may be £60+ depending on size and location.

Item is in stock Only 1 left in stock Item is out of stock Item is unavailable

Japanese Pre-War Insurance Sign – Minato-Ei Life Company (c.1920–40)

A rare and evocative survivor from pre-war Japan, this tall hand-painted wooden sign once marked the office of a licensed life insurance agent, its gilded calligraphy glowing against deep black lacquer. Both artifact and artwork, it captures a moment in Japan’s early modern commercial history with remarkable presence.

Key Features

  • Authentic Japanese pre-war insurance company sign, circa 1920–1940

  • Hand-painted vertical calligraphy with pre-1946 kanji forms

  • Gilded Minato-Ei (湊榮) company emblem at the crest

  • Deep black lacquered front with luminous gold lettering

  • Solid timber construction with original natural wood reverse

  • Exceptional example of early 20th-century Japanese commercial art

  • One-of-a-kind survivor with strong historical and visual impact

Full Description

This striking wooden sign once advertised the Minato-Ei Life Insurance Mutual Company (湊榮生命保險相互會社), a regional Japanese life insurer active during the Taishō and early Shōwa periods, approximately 1920–1940. Designed to hang vertically outside an authorised insurance agency, the inscription reads “Minato-Ei Life Insurance Mutual Company – Agency”, instantly anchoring the piece in its original commercial context.

The calligraphy is rendered entirely by hand, with beautifully balanced brushstrokes and an assured rhythm that speaks to professional sign painters of the era. Particularly notable is the use of classical kanji characters—including 保險, 會社, and 榮—forms that were officially simplified after 1946. These details not only enhance the visual richness of the sign but also provide clear confirmation of its pre-war origin.

At the top sits a finely executed circular emblem, incorporating the old-style character 生, a motif commonly used by Japanese life insurance companies before the Second World War. Hand gilded, the emblem crowns the composition with a formal yet decorative authority.

Constructed from a substantial timber board, the sign retains its original black lacquered face and untreated natural wood reverse, both of which have aged beautifully. The gold paint has mellowed over time, developing a soft patina that enhances its atmospheric, almost reverential presence.

An outstanding example of early 20th-century Japanese commercial art—often referred to as 発見美術 (hakken bijutsu) or “discovered art”—this piece is almost certainly unique. It bridges the worlds of history, design, and fine art with quiet confidence.

Dimensions

  • Height: 89.5 cm

  • Width: 14.5 cm

  • Depth: 2 cm

Materials

  • Solid timber board

  • Hand-applied black lacquer

  • Gilt paint and hand-painted lettering

  • Traditional sign-painting techniques

Condition

As expected with an authentic antique of this age, the sign shows honest signs of ageing, including surface wear, soft fading, and minor marks consistent with decades of use. These elements contribute to its rich patina and authenticity. Overall condition is good and entirely commensurate with its age. Please note that any props or decorative items shown are not included unless stated.

Origin / Period

  • Origin: Japan

  • Period: Taishō to early Shōwa era, circa 1920–1940

Styling Suggestions

This piece works beautifully as a vertical wall accent in both traditional and contemporary interiors. Particularly striking in:

  • Japandi or wabi-sabi inspired spaces

  • Minimalist interiors as a singular statement object

  • Commercial or hospitality settings seeking authentic cultural depth

  • Collections of Asian antiques or historical signage

FAQ

Q: Is this sign hand-painted?
A: Yes, all lettering and the emblem are hand-painted, including the gilt detailing.

Q: How can the age be verified?
A: The use of pre-1946 kanji forms and the insurance emblem style are strong indicators of its Taishō–early Shōwa period origin.

Q: Is this a reproduction?
A: No. This is an original antique sign and a one-of-a-kind survivor.

Unique Points

  • Genuine pre-war Japanese commercial signage

  • Features obsolete kanji no longer used after WWII

  • Rare insurance company artifact with museum-level character

  • Decorative yet historically grounded

  • Impossible to replicate patina and brushwork

All your questions answered below...

  • Fully insured delivery
  • Returns accepted
  • Authenticity assured
  • UK-based seller, secure checkout

Delivery & Shipping Information

We’re dedicated to delivering every order with care, reliability, and your satisfaction at the heart of what we do.

Fully insured UK mainland delivery is calculated at checkout (typically £12–£45). Larger furniture items may be £60+ depending on item size, access, and delivery postcode.

Please note: the listed price is for the item only. Delivery costs are calculated separately at checkout.

UK Delivery (Mainland)

We are based in Southsea, Portsmouth (PO5) and deliver nationwide across the UK.

Delivery charges are calculated based on the item’s size, weight, and destination to ensure the most accurate and fair pricing.

Free local delivery may be available depending on your location — please get in touch to check availability.

Delivery Areas & Coverage

We deliver to most UK regions and aim to provide the most efficient and cost-effective delivery options available.

For delivery addresses north of Newcastle, or within Wales, Scotland, the Highlands, Ireland, and offshore islands, please contact us before purchasing so we can confirm delivery availability and provide an accurate quote.

International Shipping

We can arrange international shipping worldwide.

Please contact us for a tailored shipping quote.

Delivery Times & Method

Delivery typically takes 5–10 working days, depending on location and order timing.

We use trusted specialist furniture couriers experienced in transporting antiques, vintage furniture, and fragile items, ensuring safe handling throughout transit.

Standard delivery is one-man delivery to ground floor only.

Assistance may be required unless a two-man delivery service is arranged at an additional cost.

Need a Delivery Quote?

For an accurate delivery quote or to confirm any additional charges, please contact us via:

📞 +44 (0) 7973 154860

💬 WhatsApp (button available on any page)

✉️ Email us with your full delivery postcode

We can ship to most places. We have the ability to to send consignments Internationally and they are all professionally wrapped, packed and or crated for a safe and successful journey.

There is going to be additional costs and lead times depending on various factors.

The best advice is to get a quote before you decide to purchase any item/s.

Listed in every product description are the dimensions for each product.

This information is provided so you can check if the piece you wish to buy will fit in your home.

Please double check your dimensions. One, to make sure it will fit through any doorway in to your home. Secondly, to make sure it fits in the space you want to place in it in. If in doubt, ring for help!

Any questions please get in touch, here to help.

If you would like to speak to someone before placing an order, check dimensions or have a general question, please call Mark on 07973 154860.

You can email mark (@) campbellvintage.co.uk

Alternatively you can use the Live Chat on our website
(bottom left hand corner), message us via WhatsApp or via our
Instagram account.

Office Address: 71 Campbell Road, Southsea, PO5 1RJ. By appointment only to this address. Need to be booked in advance.

Always here to help.

Our products come with a guarantee stating they are as described when purchased.

As all our products are either antiques or vintage and have a life before we got them, we do not offer traditional warranties due to the nature of the items and history.

Please inspect the many images we provide online to be sure you want the item offered before purchasing.

The condition of each product is noted on all products in the main description. Please read this so you are clear on what you are buying.

If you have any questions however small beforehand and to give yourself peace of mind, please make contact. As we are very happy to discuss anything in greater detail.

One last thing! Please double check your dimensions. One, to make sure it will fit through any doorway in to your home. Secondly, to make sure it fits in the space you want to place in it in. If in doubt, ring for help!

Here to help.

We hope you will be happy with your purchase. If for any reason you are unhappy, you may return the item/items to us within 14 days. Please notify us within 14 days.

You will need to arrange for the safe return of any item or items purchased. Please ensure the goods are returned in the same condition as sent to you.

You will be responsible for all return cost.

Once we have received your return, we will refund you the cost of the item/items, less any initial delivery and packaging costs, within 14 days.

Last of all, if returning an item, please advise us when we are likely to expect the item. We can then book this in and make sure we are available to except the item.

If you have any questions please contact us before ordering.

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Trade sale. Sold as seen. No returns.

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