{"product_id":"1890-1910s-meiji-era-lithograph-topical-ointment-advertisement-hikifuda-framed-a4","title":"1890-1910s Meiji Era Lithograph-Topical Ointment Advertisement-Hikifuda-New A4 Frame","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"419\" data-end=\"600\"\u003eOriginal\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"428\" data-end=\"503\"\u003elate Meiji to early Taishō era (Late 1800s-Early 1900s) Japanese advertising print\u003c\/strong\u003e, known as a\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"516\" data-end=\"528\"\u003eHikifuda\u003c\/strong\u003e—a colorful promotional handbill distributed by shops and manufacturers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"602\" data-end=\"822\"\u003eThis example advertises a medicinal ointment called\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"654\" data-end=\"675\"\u003e“Seimyo-ko” (清妙膏)\u003c\/strong\u003e, also described as\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"695\" data-end=\"725\"\u003e“Akakōyaku” (Red Ointment)\u003c\/strong\u003e. The medicine was sold by\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"752\" data-end=\"768\"\u003eHara Seieido\u003c\/strong\u003e, a pharmacy located in\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"792\" data-end=\"821\"\u003eSaga Prefecture in Kyushu\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"824\" data-end=\"1135\"\u003eThe advertisement features a striking and humorous illustration of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"891\" data-end=\"940\"\u003etwo toads pulling a cart filled with medicine\u003c\/strong\u003e, a motif commonly used in Japanese pharmaceutical advertising of the Meiji period. Such imagery was intended to be memorable and visually engaging while promoting the reliability of the product.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1137\" data-end=\"1239\"\u003eSmall illustrated scenes around the central image depict the ointment’s uses, including treatment for:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"1241\" data-end=\"1303\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"uqm2lm\" data-start=\"1241\" data-end=\"1259\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1243\" data-end=\"1259\"\u003eBurns and cuts\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"10dxhlt\" data-start=\"1260\" data-end=\"1271\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1262\" data-end=\"1271\"\u003eBruises\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1d679j7\" data-start=\"1272\" data-end=\"1303\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1274\" data-end=\"1303\"\u003eSkin irritation and itching\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1305\" data-end=\"1496\"\u003eThe text indicates the medicine was\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1341\" data-end=\"1361\"\u003efor external use\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand includes a notice warning customers to beware of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1415\" data-end=\"1437\"\u003eimitation products\u003c\/strong\u003e, emphasizing that the trademark was officially registered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1498\" data-end=\"1813\"\u003eHikifuda prints like this were widely distributed through pharmacies, traveling salesmen, and local shops. Today they are valued both as examples of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1647\" data-end=\"1680\"\u003eearly Japanese commercial art\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand as historical artifacts documenting\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1721\" data-end=\"1812\"\u003emedicine, advertising, and graphic design during Japan’s modernization in the Meiji era\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Echoes of Edo","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47888056484099,"sku":null,"price":4500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0811\/5965\/1587\/files\/s-l1600-2026-03-30T195019.519.webp?v=1774867839","url":"https:\/\/echoesofedo.com\/products\/1890-1910s-meiji-era-lithograph-topical-ointment-advertisement-hikifuda-framed-a4","provider":"Echoes of Edo","version":"1.0","type":"link"}