{"product_id":"posters-011","title":"P44 Antique Japanese Pharmaceutical Advertising Poster – Fujisawa Camphor Insect Repellent (藤澤樟脳), Shoki the Demon Queller, Pre-War Japan, c. 1930","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"431\" data-end=\"597\"\u003eRare and striking Japanese pre-war advertising poster promoting \u003cstrong data-start=\"495\" data-end=\"539\"\u003eFujisawa Camphor Insect Repellent (藤澤樟脳)\u003c\/strong\u003e, produced around \u003cstrong data-start=\"557\" data-end=\"565\"\u003e1930\u003c\/strong\u003e, during the early Shōwa period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"599\" data-end=\"953\"\u003eThis powerful design features \u003cstrong data-start=\"629\" data-end=\"643\"\u003eShoki (鍾馗)\u003c\/strong\u003e, the legendary demon-quelling guardian figure from East Asian folklore, shown glaring fiercely as a demon flees in terror. In Japanese visual culture, Shoki is a symbol of \u003cstrong data-start=\"816\" data-end=\"876\"\u003eprotection against disease, evil spirits, and misfortune\u003c\/strong\u003e, making him a perfect metaphor for a medicinal and insect-repellent product.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"955\" data-end=\"1402\"\u003eThe composition is based on the famous \u003cstrong data-start=\"994\" data-end=\"1018\"\u003e“Round Window Shoki”\u003c\/strong\u003e motif associated with the painter \u003cstrong data-start=\"1053\" data-end=\"1071\"\u003eShibata Zeshin\u003c\/strong\u003e, and this version is attributed to \u003cstrong data-start=\"1107\" data-end=\"1146\"\u003eFujisawa’s in-house advertising art\u003c\/strong\u003e, produced as part of the company’s early branding efforts. The bold \u003cstrong data-start=\"1215\" data-end=\"1233\"\u003ered background\u003c\/strong\u003e is not decorative: red was traditionally believed to repel disease and was considered a color feared by the smallpox god, reinforcing the poster’s protective symbolism.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1404\" data-end=\"1783\"\u003eAccording to company history, \u003cstrong data-start=\"1434\" data-end=\"1471\"\u003eFujisawa Pharmaceutical’s founder\u003c\/strong\u003e adopted Shoki as the company symbol after encountering a statue of Shoki in Osaka, believing it perfectly represented the product’s power to prevent illness and repel harm. This poster vividly translates that idea into a dramatic and memorable image, equating insects and disease with demons to be exterminated.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1785\" data-end=\"1933\"\u003ePrinted by \u003cstrong data-start=\"1796\" data-end=\"1829\"\u003eYamano Printing Office, Osaka\u003c\/strong\u003e, this is a genuine \u003cstrong data-start=\"1849\" data-end=\"1883\"\u003epre-war commercial wall poster\u003c\/strong\u003e, created for shop display and public advertising.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1935\" data-end=\"2126\"\u003eAn outstanding example of early Japanese pharmaceutical advertising, combining folklore, superstition, humor, and bold graphic design into a visually powerful and culturally rich composition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"2128\" data-end=\"2140\"\u003eDetails:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"2142\" data-end=\"2743\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2142\" data-end=\"2215\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2144\" data-end=\"2215\"\u003eProduct: Fujisawa Camphor (藤澤樟脳) insect repellent \/ medicinal camphor\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2216\" data-end=\"2289\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2218\" data-end=\"2289\"\u003eSubject: Shoki the Demon Queller, protection from disease and insects\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2290\" data-end=\"2367\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2292\" data-end=\"2367\"\u003eCompany: Fujisawa (later Fujisawa Pharmaceutical, today part of Astellas)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2368\" data-end=\"2429\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2370\" data-end=\"2429\"\u003ePeriod: Pre-war Japan, early Shōwa period, \u003cstrong data-start=\"2413\" data-end=\"2427\"\u003ecirca 1930\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2430\" data-end=\"2476\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2432\" data-end=\"2476\"\u003eTechnique: Lithographic advertising poster\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2477\" data-end=\"2519\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2479\" data-end=\"2519\"\u003ePrinter: Yamano Printing Office, Osaka\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2520\" data-end=\"2538\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2522\" data-end=\"2538\"\u003eCountry: Japan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2539\" data-end=\"2577\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2541\" data-end=\"2577\"\u003eSize: Approximately \u003cstrong data-start=\"2561\" data-end=\"2575\"\u003e76 × 36 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2578\" data-end=\"2700\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2580\" data-end=\"2700\"\u003eCondition: Original vintage poster with visible age-related wear, creases, and small marks consistent with use and age\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"IchiNichi ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47209207070978,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"ILS","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0796\/5186\/4834\/files\/DSC07776.jpg?v=1769681265","url":"https:\/\/ichinichicollection.com\/products\/posters-011","provider":"IchiNichi ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}