Authentic Pre-War Graphic · Meiji–Showa Era · circa 1880–1940
The Story
Before the world changed, Japan's craftsmen printed tiny masterpieces — bold, intricate, and utterly alive — on the humble surface of a matchbox. The Bee Trade Mark is one of them: a genuine label from the golden age of Japanese export printing, somewhere between the Meiji reform era and the final years of pre-war Showa Japan.
"Damp Proof. Trade Mark. Silver Medal." — the original label speaks in the confident language of an era that believed in craft, commerce, and beauty as inseparable things.
Centered on the chest, the graphic is reproduced exactly as it appeared on the original label — aged paper tones, red-winged bee in full spread, dual medallion seals, and Japanese characters reading 大阪公社製聖逢 across the bottom banner. No digital cleanup, no modern intervention. Just the real thing, printed on premium soft-cotton fabric built to last.
· · ·
Who This Is For
This tee was made for the collector, the Japanophile, the vintage head, and the quiet enthusiast who recognizes something rare when they see it. If you love Japanese retro aesthetics, Meiji and Taisho-era graphic design, antique ephemera, or the visual culture of pre-war Japan — this is a wearable piece of that world.
It pairs naturally with selvedge denim, workwear, and relaxed streetwear. It photographs beautifully. And it starts conversations with people who notice things.
About the Collection
Every design in the Ichinichi Collection is sourced from a personal archive of original Japanese matchbox labels spanning 1880 to 1940 — the peak era of Japanese commercial label artistry. These labels were produced for export and domestic sale, and each one is a compressed world of typography, illustration, and cultural identity. We print them faithfully, label by label, onto quality garments, so they can be worn rather than forgotten.
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Size Guide (inches)
| Measurement |
S |
M |
L |
XL |
2XL |
3XL |
| Width |
18.00 |
20.00 |
22.00 |
24.00 |
26.00 |
28.00 |
| Length |
28.00 |
29.00 |
30.00 |
31.00 |
32.00 |
33.00 |
| Sleeve Length |
8.90 |
9.20 |
9.50 |
9.70 |
10.00 |
10.40 |
* Size tolerance: ±1.50 in across all measurements.
Fabric & Construction
Material
100% Airlume combed & ring-spun cotton
Weight
4.2 oz/yd² (142 g/m²) — lightweight & breathable
Fit
Unisex retail fit · Crew neckline · Ribbed collar
Construction
Tapered shoulders · Dual side seams for shape retention
Label
Tear-away label — minimal skin irritation
Ethics
Fair Labor Association · Platinum WRAP certified · No sweatshop
Note: Ash and Heather Prism — 99% cotton / 1% polyester. Heather and Solid Blend — 52% cotton / 48% polyester. Athletic Heather and Black Heather — 90% cotton / 10% polyester. Sleeve prints and neck labels use DTF (Direct-to-Film) printing where applicable.
Care Instructions
Machine wash cold, inside out. Tumble dry low. Do not iron directly on the print. Treat it like the archive piece it is.
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