When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
✅ Important Notice about Customs & Import Duties
Import duties, taxes, and customs clearance fees are already included in the total shipping cost. ✔ No additional payment is required upon delivery.
Please purchase with confidence.
Shipments to the Authenticity Center also ship under DDU.
In both cases, buyers pay import duties/taxes upon delivery.
Description
I am listing this item as part of a collection downsizing.
It is an enamel sign designating a \"Kyoto Alliance Inspection Member\" (Kyoto Dōmei Shisatsu Kaiin).
Measuring 15 cm in height and 6.5 cm in width, it is quite small for an enamel sign; it appears to be a nameplate-style item produced to be displayed—perhaps at an entrance—as a form of public notice.
Its vintage typeface suggests it dates back to the pre-war era, and the symbol between the characters for \"Association\" (Kai) and \"Member\" (In) appears to be the iteration mark (*noma-ten* or *dōnojirushi*), indicating a repetition of the preceding character.
Researching the combination of \"Kyoto\" and \"Alliance\" (Dōmei) yielded many results related to *buraku* (discriminated community) issues; however, as the specific nature of the \"Alliance\" is not explicitly stated, it is also possible that the sign belonged to workers in a specific industry or an activist group.
It appears to have remained unused and stored away; remarkably, the manufacturer\'s paper label is still intact on the back, revealing that it was produced by Yamamoto Kōgyō-sho (Yamamoto Industrial Works) in Osaka.
Coupled with the mystery surrounding its original purpose, this piece exudes a truly enigmatic atmosphere, making it a fascinating artifact of its time.
Payment
Unpaid orders will be cancelled automatically.
Import duties, taxes, and other fees are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer\'s responsibility. Before offerding or purchasing, please check with your country\'s customs office to determine the exact amount of these additional fees.
Shipping
Ships from Japan via Japan Post, SpeedPAK, FedEx, or DHL.
All U.S. shipments use DDP (seller covers duties/taxes), except for high-value ($2,500+) and Authenticity Center items noted above (DDU).
Returns
We accept returns only for unused and unopened items.
Once used or handled (including books opened), returns cannot be accepted. Please contact us promptly after receiving the item.
Change of mind/misorder: buyer pays return shipping.
Conditions shown here are based on our standard.
Pre-owned item condition may change slightly during storage. Working means confirmed at storage time. We re-check before shipping, but issues can occur in transit/after arrival.
