Showa Era | Tobacco Retailer Enamel Metal Sign

A red enamel metal sign with white lettering reads "Tobacco Retailer." This is not merely a commercial decoration, but an official mark from the Japanese government's monopoly system during the Showa era. Only retailers who obtained a license were permitted to hang this sign and sell tobacco publicly. The text on the sign clearly states the address "Ariie-cho, Minami-takaki-gun, Nagasaki Prefecture" and the seller's name "Ichisaburo Kotani," indicating this is an original version from Japan. It represents not only the existence of a local business but also concrete evidence of the system's integration into daily life. In the early 20th century, Japan implemented a tobacco monopoly system starting in the 37th year of the Meiji era (1904). This system was later extended to Taiwan, creating the familiar sight of "Tobacco Retailer" signs in front of corner stores during the colonial period.