When speaking of stamps on zodiac signs, Asian countries often depict the animals from the Chinese zodiac.
Japan issued several series on star constellations.
The first series of 'constellations' was issued between 2011 and 2013.
A sets of 10 regular sized stamps was issued in 2011, one in 2012 and two in 2013.
The first two are printed in silver on a dark or light blue background, the last two are in gold print, over a light or dark blue background.
In the first sets, both western as chinese zodiac signs are depicted, as well as other star constellations (Swan, Crown, ...)
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| Japan Constellation stamps 2011-13 |
Each of the above stamps have a face value of 80 yen.
In 2014 (till 2016), a set of smaller stamps on zodiac signs were issued, at a face value of 82 yen each. Each sheet has 3 identical stamps and a additional stamp (moon, star, planet, ...)
Here, only the western zodiac signs are in focus.
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| above 2011-13 stamps below 2014-16 stamps |
and has the same meaning.
All 12 western zodiac signs
issued between 2014 and 2016
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| Zodiac signs in chinese, japanese hiragana and english |
Aquarius : Mi zu ga ne za : 水瓶座
Pisces : U o za : うお座
Aries : O hi tsu ji za : 牡羊座
Taurus : O ushi za : おうし座
Gemini : Fu ta go za : 双子座
Cancer : Ka ni za : 蟹座
Leo : Shi shi za : 獅子座
Virgo : O to me za : 乙女座
Libra : Te n bi n za : 天秤座
Scorpio : Sa zo ri za : 蠍座
Sagittarius : I te za : 射手座
Capricorn : Ya gi za : 山羊座
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ふたご座 - futa go za (Gemini) |
to be continued ...
