Scott No: 1941-1943
Serial number: J104
Values in set: 3
Date of issue: September 24, 1984
Denomination: 108 fen
Designers: Zou Jianjun
Size of stamps: 52*31mm
Perforation: 11.5
Sheet composition: 40(4*10)
Printing process: Photogravure
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

J104 "China-Japan Youth Friendship Get-Together · 1984" commemorative stamps were issued on September 24, 1984. The set consists of 3 stamps, printed by photogravure, designed by Zou Jianjun, and printed by the Beijing Stamp Factory.

Theme of the Set

In 1984, three thousand Japanese youths were invited to visit China and took part in get-togethers and exchanges with young people from various parts of China. This set takes this activity as its theme, looking back on the long history of friendly exchanges between China and Japan, carrying the wishes of the youth of the two countries to enhance understanding and mutual trust and mutual assistance, advocating that China-Japan friendship be passed down from generation to generation, and consolidating the bond of peace and friendship between the two countries.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

Friendly Neighbors

The design uses auspicious clouds to connect the Big Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi'an with Toshodai-ji in Nara, Japan, with wild geese shuttling between them. The Big Wild Goose Pagoda witnessed Japanese envoys to the Tang dynasty traveling west to study, and Tōshōdai-ji is the relic of Jianzhen's eastward voyage to spread the Dharma. The two ancient buildings echo each other from afar, telling of the thousand-year cultural exchange origins between the two countries.

Tree of Friendship

In the image, a Chinese girl and a Japanese girl in kimono water a small tree together, with the Great Wall, plum blossoms, Mount Fuji, and cherry blossoms in the background and doves of peace flying around. The small tree symbolizes friendship, implying that the youth of the two countries carefully cultivate and guard the foundation of China-Japan friendship.

Celebrating Friendship

The image depicts Chinese and Japanese youth gathering and dancing together, with joyful and enthusiastic postures. In the background, green pines stand tall, auspicious clouds swirl, and cranes fly—setting off a festive and peaceful atmosphere and presenting the moving scene of the youth of the two countries rejoicing together and their lasting friendship.

Artistic Design Features

The set adopts a decorative painting style rich in national feeling. The three stamps use yellow, green, and red as their main background colors, with bright and warm tones. Historical sites, representative scenery, and youthful figures are arranged in sequence, balancing historical origins with contemporary youth exchange. This set was voted the Best Printed Stamp of the year and is a classic JT stamp on the theme of Chinese-foreign friendship.