Vintage Japanese Globe ‘Universe’, Watanabe Kyogu, 1982

A decorative Japanese globe on a metal stand, with a soft blue map design, Japanese place names and a refined educational character.

Dimensions: height approx. 40 cm, diameter approx. 30 cm.

This vintage globe was made in Japan by Watanabe Kyogu Co., Ltd. and bears the model name “Universe”. The scale is 1:40,000,000, and the original label states that the map was revised in 1982, during the Shōwa period. The globe shows relief and elevation information, ocean currents and geographical markings in Japanese, giving it a distinctive graphic presence.

The globe can rotate on its axis and rests on a simple grey metal base with a metal meridian arc. Several original labels are still present, including the Watanabe Kyogu label, a Shimadzu Scientific Instrument label and a former school inventory label. These details add extra historical charm to the object.

A stylish vintage piece for contemporary use: beautiful on a desk, in a library, children’s room, studio or as a decorative accent among books, plants and ceramics. The globe is in beautiful vintage condition, with light signs of age and use consistent with its history.