Happy Friday.
It is a major sports weekend for Seattle— the Seahawks face the Los Angeles Rams this Sunday for the NFC Championship and a spot in Super Bowl LX.
I spent a lot of time this week sorting the hundreds of loose stamps I had bought in Tokyo, by year. Here are some ones with nice postmarks and a sports theme.
Issued by Japan Post, Apr. 2, 1956
Perf. 13¼ x 13½ |Litho. |National Printing Bureau
618 A369 |10 yen |red-brown |Table tennis players
Postmarked 31.4.5 which means 1956 April 5.
The 31 refers to the 31st year of Emperor Hirohito’s reign (1925 + 31 = 1956).
Softball at 33rd National Athletic Meet, Nagano Prefecture
Issued by Japan Post, Oct. 14, 1978
Perf. 12¾ x 13 |Litho. |National Printing Bureau
1348 A938 |20 yen |multi-colored |Softball Players and Mt Yari
Postmarked 59.7.3 (let’s say) which means 1984 July 3.
The 59 refers to the 59th year of Emperor Hirohito’s reign (1925 + 59 = 1984).
Badminton at 36th National Athletic Meet, Nagano Prefecture
Issued by Japan Post, Oct. 13, 1981
Perf. 12¾ x 13 |Litho. |National Printing Bureau
1485 A1064 | 40 yen |multi-colored |Badminton player and Lake Biwa
Postmarked 86.2.6 8-12 which means 1986 Feb. 6 8am-12 noon
The 86 now refers to the Gregorian calendar year 1986.
Handball at 40th National Athletic Meet, Tottori City Sports Arena
Issued by Japan Post, Oct. 19, 1985
1665 A1233 | 40 yen |multi-colored |Handball Player and Mt Daisen
Postmarked 89.6.21 12-18 which means 1989 Jun.21 12 noon- 6pm (Chofu is a city in Tokyo prefecture)
The 89 now refers to the Gregorian calendar year 1989.
[Sources: 2021 Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue Vol. 4A, stampworld.com]