Earlier this year as the Japanese government enacted a sales tax hike, the cost of mailing a letter also increased. As a result a new 2 yen stamp had to be issued to fill the price hike, and in an effort to quell public anger, Japan Post put a picture of a cute fluffy bunny on it. Surely that’d do the trick, right?
Of course it did! In Japan, cuteness is a rock-solid commodity and the bunny stamp was a huge success. It was so popular that people came out to buy some even though they had no mail to send. And so, Japan Post set a mandate to make all of their stamps pretty before fiscal 2015.
Japan Post brought in the original designers of the fluffy bunny stamp, Rika Hoshiyama and Junko Kaifuchi to help out with the redesign of all 12 stamps from one yen to 1,000 yen ($8.64).
The larger denominations of stamps feature symbols of Japan’s natural landscape such as Mt. Fuji. Japan’s largest mountain represents Japan’s largest stamp (1,000 yen) in a tasteful woodblock print style.
In keeping with the nature theme is Towada-Hachimantai National Park spanning Aomori, Iwate, and Akita Prefectures on the 500 yen stamp. It’s lush green hills and tranquil lakes have graced stamps before but are now given a more colorful and vibrant look.
Mid-range stamps have a botanical theme. The bright yellow tones of Kerria japonica shrubs will brighten any letter. And if your message happens to cost a combination of 140, 120, and 100 yen then you’ll be treated to a range of pleasant yellow pink and purple hues by adding primrose and Japanese wisteria into the mix.
The lower valued stamps all contain animals. Some appeared to have been chosen as their symbolic nature in Japanese culture such as the Japanese serow (50 yen) which is used as an example of speed and strength. The toki’s (10 yen) recovery from the brink of extinction is also a source of inspiration.
Rounding out the line-up are animals that bring the cute: a chipmunk (3 yen); a mother and baby Japanese macaque (5 yen); an Ezo red fox (30 yen); and a Japanese deer (20 yen). Each animal is depicted with maximum fluffiness derived from the bunny design of 2014.
And perhaps the cuddliest woodland creature of them all has got to be Maejima Hisoka (1 yen)!
While that may seem like an odd addition, Mr. Hisoka was the man in charge of establishing a postal system in Japan in the late 1800s. As part of a long-standing tradition, Japan Post has never changed the image of the one yen stamp from his likeness.
If you want to get your hands on an adorable fox or former cabinet member be sure to go to your local Japan Post Office on 2 February, 2015 when they go on sale. Stamps will also be available to order from the Japan Post website.
Source: Japan Post via Japaaan Magazine (Japanese)