Japanese 1937-46, sterling silver cigarette case, Amano Kikinzoku, Mitsukoshi

  

The case features a beautiful starbust design and thin profile. The internior is gold washed. Has the sash of Mitsukoshi Department Store, Tokyo.

The original inlay card is also included. The inside of the case is hallmarked SILVER with the five-pointed "Sun Mark" for Amano Kikinzoku Kojo (Amano Precious Metal Factory). Dimensons: 8.0cm x 8.8cm x 0.6cm. The inlay card notes the locations of the various cities in which Mitsukoshi department stores were located. It notes the the Dalian, China store which was opened in 1937, however doesn't note the Matsuyama store which was opened in 1946, the first following the end of WW2.

This case will not accommodate modern cigarettes. Prior to the 1950s and the introduction of filters most cigarettes were 70 mm (2 3/4 in) long and much shorter than modern filter cigarettes which are 80 mm. Notwithstanding, the case could be repurposed as a luxurious cash/card holder. Only very light signs of use.

Some jewellery makers adopted European and American designs into their products and redeveloped Japanese style jewellery such as rings, obidome (kimono belt fasteners) and various hair ornaments suited the taste of Japanese consumers. Among them was Keijiro Amano who founded Amano Kikinzoku Kojo Amano Precious Metal Factory which became one of the leading jewellery makers of the Taisho Period by making high quality jewellery at their modern factory. At the time, the Tokyo Precious Metal Products Manufacturing Union was established to modernize the fast-growing Japanese jewellery industry by setting gold and silver assay and maker's marks, and hallmarks.