Ao-no domon (Blue Tunnels)

@

R264 (above)

R265 (below)


IssueAo-no domon (Blue Tunnels)
PrefectureOoita
Date of Issue1 February 1999
Denominationvertical se-tenant pair of 80 yen
DesignsR264: Mt. Kyoshu-hou in autumnR265: Ao-no domon in spring
Quantity 6,000,000 se-tenant pairs
Image Area27.0 x 22.5 millimeters, horizontal
PrintingOffset in 5 colours
Sheet20 stamps (5 x 4)
DesignerHokazono Masami (Watercolour painter)
Sold atPost offices in Kyushu, and
the appointed post offices
(see the menu page)
First Day of
Issue Postmark
Yabakei Post Office


Ao-no domon (Blue Tunnels), Pane



IssueAo-no domon (Blue Tunnels), Pane
Price800 yen (80 yen x 10)
Pane Size160 x 51.0 millimeters, horizontal
Pane10 stamps (5 x 2)
Catalog No.R265P

Japanese Stamp Specialized Catalog (JSCA) & SAKURA Catalog numbers are adopted.



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(Small Note for the Issue)

Ao-no domon (Blue Tunnels)

It was in 1734 that Zenkai, a travelling Buddhist priest, started driving Ao-no domon (Blue Tunnels) that people of the region had suffered by the steep mountains. He completed the first part of the tunnels over sixteen years and that was succeeded by hired masons. It took thirty years to get through all the way. After its completion, it became one of the pioneering toll road in Japan. At the toll gate, 4 mon a person and 8 mon a horse were paid.
Mt. Kyoshu-hou, which stands over the tunnels is one of the sightseeing points in Yabakei valley. (R264: Mt. Kyoshu-hou in autumn). The reflectionh of the mountain on the Yamakunigawa river attracts many people. (R265: Ao-no domon in spring).