Japanese Wooden Kanban, Guild Sign, Tokyo, 1920s

Vertical wooden signboard made of hardwood, with a deep, warm patina and bold, hand-painted calligraphy.

Dimensions: height 60 cm, width 15 cm, depth 2 cm.

The board refers to the plasterers’ guild in Tokyo, bearing prefectural approval and the name of the responsible master, Ōta Eitarō.

The inscription also mentions the Eastern Palace (東宮), suggesting that this workshop may have carried out commissions for the Imperial household. The seal 御用達 indicates an officially appointed or court-authorized supplier.

This type of kanban is highly sought after among collectors of Japanese business and craft history, as it documents the early modern urban economy. At the same time, it is a striking decorative piece; as a wabi-sabi wall accent, it brings texture, authenticity, and a subtle graphic presence to both modern and eclectic interiors.