This early Japanese reply postal card (往復はがき), issued in the 1870s, features a preprinted 1 sen denomination in vivid red ink with a central chrysanthemum crest, framed by a repeating geometric border typical of Meiji-period postal design. The card was part of Japan’s first standardized reply postal system, designed to facilitate two-way written communication, particularly in official, commercial, and administrative contexts. Printed typographically on ungummed, unperforated card stock, the stationery includes vertically arranged kanji instructing the sender on its limited use for name and address only, reflecting the strict protocol of the Japanese postal system during this formative era. The cancellation is a clear circular Tokyo-style hankō mark reading 東京 (Tokyo), with a secondary marking near the bottom of the card confirming local handling. The recipient’s name and address are written in traditional vertical calligraphy using a thick ink brush, while the reverse contains a dense, expressive message composed in dramatic cursive-style script (草書), demonstrating both the author’s handwriting fluency and the visual elegance valued in written Japanese culture. Though modest in face value, the 1 sen reply card played a critical role in modernizing communication within the country and reflects the intersection of bureaucracy and artistry in Meiji-era Japan. The survival of such cards, especially with complete and legible postmarks from the capital and stylistically rich handwriting, makes this a prized historical artifact for collectors of early Japanese postal history. Estimate "$85 – 130"