Cherry Blossoms: 20 Sen Red (Rose) with Syllabics
Genuine
4 February 1875
Scott #48 and Sakura #47 with syllabics 
(chi-8) on hard wove paper, or syllabic 
(ri-9) on soft porous wove paper.
Size 19 1/2 mm x 22 1/2 mm
The Government engraved the 4 known plates of syllabic chi (8), and it can be assumed that they also engraved one syllabic ri (9) plate. Syllabic is found on hard wove foreign paper but the only two known copies of syllabic are on a soft porous paper.
There is a great story about the discovery the first two copes of syllabic in Japanese Philately, Vol. 67, pages 94-95. Needless to say, syllabic is a great rarity. The second copy was discovered and sold on eBay on 11 October 2009. It seems clear that the owner who sold the stamp on eBay had no idea of what he had. His reserve price was only $9.00. But more than one knowledgeable bidder found the stamp and the final selling price was $50,100. No unused copies of this stamp have been found. The 20 sen stamp was used for foreign mail. Look at your used copies of this stamp carefully, it might be a small gold mine and not a forgery. I’m not sure when Scott first listed this syllabic, but my 2001 edition of the Scott Catalog only lists syllabic . Current catalogs do list both syllabics.
Reminder: Only 16 petals or florets in the genuine Kiku Crest (Chrysanthemum Crest).
Genuine – Syllabic (chi 8)
Genuine – Syllabic (ri 9)
I believe that this “unused” copy once had a black dot (sumi-ten) and it was cleaned. Notice the dull color.
Used Copy – Bright Shade
Discovery Copy of Syllabic (ri-9)
Second Copy of syllabic (ri-9)
Secret Mark
This secret mark is found on both the genuine stamps with syllabic and the newly discovered (1991) syllabic . There are seven thick vertical lines in the SE section and only six lines in all three of the other like sections.
BEWARE: Some forgeries have the same secret mark.
Differences Between Genuine and Forged
These characteristics are typical of most of the forgeries. Not all forgeries have all the characteristics.
A: Genuine: The horizontal line at the base of the “2” ends with a pointed almost vertical line. Forgeries: In some forgeries this vertical line doesn’t exist, and in others it is shorter and less pronounced.
B. Genuine: There is always a space between the circular band and the inner frame line. Forgeries: In some forgeries the circular band touches the inner frame line, in others the space is less. In at least one forgery the space is greater.
C: Genuine: The lower end of the scroll work in the central bank ends in an upward curl, close to but not touching the paulownia leaf. Forgeries: Some end in a downward curl that touches the paulownia leaf and others with the upward curl have a line that extends to the paulowia leaf.
D: Genuine: The leaves of the corner cherry blossoms always touch the adjoining frame. Forgeries: In most forgeries, some of the cherry blossoms have space between the leaves and the frames.
“Signed” Forgeries
Wada: Plate 35, State I
Sankō vertical below central characters.
Wada: Plate 35, State 2
Mōzo horizontal below central characters.
Wada: Plate 35, State 3
Sankō horizontal on either side of central inscription.
Wada: Plate 35, State 4
Mōzo horizontal on either side of bottom central character.
Forgeries “signed” Mihon – With and Without the Mihon
It is believed that all “signed” types of these stamps exist without the mihon characters.
Mihon: Type 1
With mihon hidden under cancel.
Mihon: Type 2
With mihon hidden under cancel.
Mihon: Type 2
Without mihon
Mihon: Type 3
With mihon hidden under cancel.
“Unsigned ” Forgeries
Wada: Plate 35, State 5
Wada: Plate 36
Ramsden
Notice the dot in the center of the Chrysanthemum Crest.
Spiro
Only one flower branch instead of three.
ABC Kurabu (ABC Club) - 1950's-1960's
For more information about the ABC Kurabu Forgeries click here.
Note: Numbers in parenthesis and bold are the catalog numbers found on reverse of the forgeries. State 4 forgeries did not have any numbers on the reverse. It is believed that State 4 forgeries exist for all different values. But only a few State 4 examples were available for examination. When State 4 was available for examination, the design type is recorded.
ABC (Kurabu) Club Forgery syllabic チ (chi-8) – Design 120
States 1, 2, 3 & 5 (No. 39).
Characteristics of Design 120:
-
-
- Break in frame line.
-
Reproductions
Tayama 1912
This 20 sen stamp, syllabic (chi-8) is found in sheet 2 included with the 1912 issue of the Communications Law Monthly Report. It has the type 2 cancel.
Inscriptions translate:
20 sen red;
Issued: Meiji 8.2 (February 1875);
Off Sale: Meiji 10.8 (August 1877);
Invalidated: Meiji 22. 11 (November 1889)
Click here to see more information about Tayama reproductions.
Japan Stamp Publicity Association
JSPA Sheet No. 5 issued 20 April 1962
This stamp reproduces the genuine issue of 4 February 1875 on wove paper with syllabic チ (chi-8). The sheet is on wove paper. For more information click here.