Qty. 10 Famous Works of Art "Hokusai" Stamps (Japanese Art, Five Feminine Virtues, Universal Postal Union, Kabuki, Kimono) Unused USPS Postage 10c

These vintage unused vintage stamps evoke a touch of whimsy and personality! Includes a total of TEN (10) of the 10¢ vintage Famous Works of Art "Hokusai" stamps shown in photos.

STAMP INFORMATION:

• Name: Hokusai
• Series: Famous Works of Art
• Year Issued: 1974
• Face Value: 10-cents each (USD)
• Topic(s): Japanese Art, Woodblock Art, Zen, 100th Anniversary Universal Postal Union, Five Feminine Virtues, artist Katsushika Hokusai, Reading, Kabuki, Kimono
• Color(s): Yellow, Red, Green, Multicolored 
• Printing Method: Photogravure
• Scott Number: 1531
• Adhesion Type: Gummed 
• Condition: Genuine Unused USPS Postage Stamps, Ready to Use for USPS Mailings, Mint Condition

STAMP HISTORY: The 1974 10-cent “Hokusai” postage stamp was issued on June 6, 1974, as part of the "Famous Works of Art" series commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Universal Postal Union (UPU). This special series celebrated the universality of art and communication, highlighting masterpieces from different cultures around the world as a reflection of shared human creativity and understanding.

The stamp features an adaptation of “Five Feminine Virtues” by Katsushika Hokusai, one of Japan’s most renowned artists of the Edo period, best known for his woodblock prints and his iconic work The Great Wave off Kanagawa. The image chosen represents Hokusai’s mastery of elegance, balance, and expressive line — qualities that made his art an enduring symbol of harmony between nature, humanity, and form. By selecting a Hokusai piece for this international set, the U.S. Postal Service honored not only his individual genius but also Japan’s profound cultural influence and artistic tradition.

The “Hokusai” stamp remains a subtle but significant moment in U.S. postal history — a tribute to art as a universal language and a gesture of cross-cultural respect during a time when the world was becoming more globally interconnected through both communication and shared appreciation of beauty.

STAMP MEANING & SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE: The 1974 10-cent “Hokusai” stamp holds a profound spiritual significance, serving as a bridge between cultures, eras, and the timeless human yearning for harmony between art, nature, and spirit. While officially commemorating the centennial of the Universal Postal Union — an organization built on global connection — the stamp’s inclusion of Katsushika Hokusai’s work transforms it into something deeper: a meditation on the oneness of creation and the universal flow of beauty that transcends all boundaries.

Hokusai’s art, infused with the essence of Japanese Zen and Shinto philosophy, reflects an awareness of the sacred in the ordinary — the divine rhythm present in every wave, tree, and human gesture. The figure from “Five Feminine Virtues”, featured on the stamp, embodies grace, humility, and inner strength — qualities revered not only in Japanese aesthetics but in spiritual traditions around the world. Her serene posture and calm expression suggest a soul in harmony with the world, a living symbol of balance between the material and the transcendent.

Spiritually, the stamp represents communication as a sacred act — not merely the exchange of messages, but the transmission of understanding, beauty, and compassion between peoples and nations. Just as the Universal Postal Union connected the world through letters, this stamp connects hearts through art, reminding us that creativity is a form of prayer, and that every artistic expression is a reflection of divine intelligence moving through human hands.

The image chosen also evokes Hokusai’s lifelong pursuit of artistic enlightenment. Late in life, he famously said that by the age of 110, he hoped to have reached true mastery, when “every dot and every line shall be alive.” This aspiration mirrors the soul’s journey toward spiritual perfection — the idea that every act, however small, can become alive with consciousness and meaning.

Thus, the “Hokusai” stamp can be seen as a symbol of spiritual harmony and universal connection — a miniature mandala that celebrates art as an expression of the eternal. It reminds us that beauty unites where words may divide, and that through art, humanity participates in the divine act of creation itself — one line, one brushstroke, one stamp at a time.

GUMMED STAMPS: These postage stamps have a traditional moisture-activated gum on the back. These stamps require licking or wetting to adhere to envelopes or other surfaces. To ensure good adhesion, apply vintage gummed stamps to your mailings with a glue stick (we recommend using Elmer's "Re-Stick" glue sticks).

GENUINE USPS POSTAGE: These unused vintage postage stamps are perfectly valid for use as current postage for mailing with USPS as long as you use the adequate amount of postage to achieve standard postage rates according to the weight of your mailing. Check current postage rates at USPS.com.

QUESTIONS? We love hearing from our customers and replies to inquires are usually answered the same day. Need more of this stamp? Looking for a particular stamp not found on our website? Want a curated postage set for your special event? Contact us with questions about vintage postage stamps and our services…

TELL YOUR STORY IN STAMPS: We’ve worked with hundreds of couples and their stationers to custom design highly stylized personalized postage sets based on our customer’s life stories. We can help you curate personalized vintage postage sets to commemorate your save-the-date, wedding, shower, announcement, and other special occasions in a truly unique fashion. Drawing on our encyclopedic knowledge of every stamp ever issued by the USPS, and sourcing from our extensive inventory of collectable unused vintage stamps, we’ll help you tell your unique story in stamps!

ABOUT HERITAGE POST HOUSE: Jennifer Kramer is the founder of Heritage Post House, a boutique vintage postage house located in Northern California. Jennifer sources the most beautiful unused vintage postage stamps ever issued by USPS and artfully arranges them into curated postage sets that are sure to add a special touch to your invitations, announcements, and special mailings. In addition to creating pre-arranged postage sets, Jennifer also works with couples (and their stationers) to create one-of-a-kind custom postage arrangements for wedding invitations, save the dates, and other special occasions.