Definitive Stamps for Celebration


604: Heart	605: "Kotobuki"	606: Red-crowned crane & Arrowhead pattern

Issue	Definitive Stamps for Celebration
Date of Issue	16 August 1999 (Heisei 11)
Catalogue No.	604	605	606
Denominations	50 yen	80 yen	90 yen
Designs	"Heart"	"Kotobuki"	Red-crowned crane & Arrowhead pattern
Image Area	22.5 x 27.0 millimeters
Printing	Photogravure in 4 colours	Photogravure in 5 colours
Sheet	50 stamps (10 x 5)
Designer	Koide Masaki (Illustrator)	Shinohara Eita (Designer)	Isoda Hisao (Graphic Designer)
First Day of Issue Postmark	Tokyo Central Post Office

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(Small Notes for the Issue)

On 16 August 1999, the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications issued three new definitive stamps for celebration. The new stamps were designed to match the taste of young people and to convey the direct message of celebration.

50 yen: For the background, the colour pink is used that it symbolises happiness and health. Scarlet, white and gold, other celebration colours, are also used to show a heart, a pair of doves and others. The denomination, 50 yen, is for postage of a standard post card.

80 yen: "Kotobuki" is a Chinese character also used in Japan. Its original meaning is "longevity" but in Japan it rather symbolises "celebration." The denomination, 80 yen, is for postage of a standard letter up to 25 grams.

90 yen: Red-crowned crane is a symbol of longevity for 1,000 years, and is also regarded as a lucky mascot for wearing red, lucky colour, on its head. The denomination, 90 yen, is for postage of a standard letter up to 50 grams.