🎎 Antique Japanese Bulldog Padlock – Japan Antique Roadshow

🎎 This authentic Bulldog padlock is a classic example of utilitarian Japanese hardware, likely dating from the mid-Showa period (昭和時代, Shōwa jidai, 1926–1989). Produced under the ブルドック印 (Bulldog Brand), these heavy-duty locks have long been employed across Japan to secure kura storehouses, farm sheds, shrines, and even neighborhood coin boxes. In fact, included in this listing is a photo I took of a similar Bulldog lock still in active use today, securing a local coin box at a roadside produce stand in Shizuoka—where neighbors drop 100 yen coins to purchase bags of fresh oranges. It’s a quiet but enduring testament to both the practical design and cultural charm of these locks.

The padlock features the signature Bulldog nameplate, attached with two screws, and remains in its locked position. Heavily weathered from decades of outdoor exposure, the surface bears rich rust patina and oxidation throughout, adding to its strong visual character. The key is no longer present, and the lock is offered strictly as a display piece—a fascinating conversation artifact for collectors of Japanese tools, hardware, or folk objects.

📏 Approximate dimensions:

• Width: 9 cm

• Height: 6 cm

• Depth: 1.5 cm

• Weight: approx. 200 grams

• Condition: Locked position; no key; heavy rust and wear; for display only

Curated in Shizuoka City by Kurt Bell, this piece offers a quiet, tangible connection to Japan’s working past and its enduring craftsmanship.

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