Changes in Japanese Mailbox (2/9)

Q & A: Why are mailboxes red?

The main reason is to make them easy to spot from the street. Mailboxes were black before the red mailbox appeared.

Tawaraya Mailbox Nakamura Mailbox

This mailbox was designed
by Takashichi Tawaraya. It
is a red, cylindrical mailbox
made of iron very similar to
the shape that modern-day
mailboxes are modeled on.
This mailbox was used on a
trial basis from 1901. Reproduction
This mailbox was designed by
Koji Nakamura. It was used on
a trial basis from 1901 as a
replacement for the Tawaraya
mailbox. It was a red, cylindrical
mailbox made of iron and had a
rain cover above the letter drop.

Rotating Letter Drop
Mailbox Round Mailbox with Eaves
Eaves
(1912)
Exhibited at Hokuriku Postal Bureau
This red iron mailbox was
officially adopted in October
1908. The letter drop could
be rotated.
The rotating letter drop
mailbox of 1908 caused
numerous problems. It
was often out of order
and the letter drop was
awkward for inserting
letters.
Furthermore, there was
the danger of users jamming
their fingers in the rotating
letter drop. In 1912 the
rotating plate was removed
and it was remodeled into this
mailbox, which had eaves to
prevent rain from entering the
letter drop.
This type of mailbox was used
for many years.

Tawaraya Mailbox	Nakamura Mailbox

This mailbox was designed by Takashichi Tawaraya. It is a red, cylindrical mailbox made of iron very similar to the shape that modern-day mailboxes are modeled on. This mailbox was used on a trial basis from 1901.	Reproduction This mailbox was designed by Koji Nakamura. It was used on a trial basis from 1901 as a replacement for the Tawaraya mailbox. It was a red, cylindrical mailbox made of iron and had a rain cover above the letter drop.

Rotating Letter Drop Mailbox	Round Mailbox with Eaves Eaves (1912)

Exhibited at Hokuriku Postal Bureau This red iron mailbox was officially adopted in October 1908. The letter drop could be rotated.	The rotating letter drop mailbox of 1908 caused numerous problems. It was often out of order and the letter drop was awkward for inserting letters. Furthermore, there was the danger of users jamming their fingers in the rotating letter drop. In 1912 the rotating plate was removed and it was remodeled into this mailbox, which had eaves to prevent rain from entering the letter drop. This type of mailbox was used for many years.