The marks are "Made in Occupied Japan" and "Occupied Japan". According to Occupied Japan, these marks were provided for American consumers who believed that purchase proceeds would repay war reparations. Predominant patterns in china made in Japan during this time included roses, chintzes, violets and pansies.
Full Answer
How to tell if something is made in Occupied Japan?
How do I know if my Japanese vase is valuable?
- Look for a mark on the bottom of the vase.
- Look at the composition of the glass.
- Look at the bottom of the vase.
- Look for an overmark, which is a stamp placed on the bottom of a vase over the original maker’s mark.
- Look for a NIPPON mark.
How to identify China made in Japan?
How to Identify Pottery Stamps
- Review a reference book to get familiar with the field. ...
- Get familiar with guidelines that help date stamps. For instance, the use of colors became more common after 1850, and the name of the country of origin was ...
- Identify the manufacturer on a stamp. ...
- Identify the stamp's pattern. ...
- If you can't identify the stamp on your own, turn to a pro. ...
How to identify occupied Japan markings?
- Momoyama period (1573-1603)
- Edo period (1603-1867) roughly split into early, middle or late Edo. Sometimes the Genroku era (1688-1703) when popular culture flourishes is distinguished.
- Meiji (1868-1913)
- Taisho (1913-1926)
- Showa (1926-1988), where "early Showa" is often used to cover the Showa reign before 1945, and
- Heisei (1988-today)
Are dishes made in Occupied Japan valuable?
These pieces usually were marked “Made in Occupied Japan,” “Made in Japan” or simply “Japan.”. The products–including souvenirs, lamps, dinnerware and toys–eventually became collectible. From what we’ve seen in dealer catalogues, however, their value is relatively low, with few items approaching the $50 level.
Is China marked made in Occupied Japan valuable?
These pieces usually were marked “Made in Occupied Japan,” “Made in Japan” or simply “Japan.” The products--including souvenirs, lamps, dinnerware and toys--eventually became collectible. From what we've seen in dealer catalogues, however, their value is relatively low, with few items approaching the $50 level.
Are items made in Occupied Japan worth anything?
“Made in Occupied Japan” products were affordable in their heyday, making them less valuable in today's economy. Many of the items retail under $50, so if you're looking to make a quick fortune, sorry to burst your bubble. Professional collectors recommend selling in pairs to increase the value.
How do you know if something was made in occupied Japan?
The writers at Our Pastimes note that you can identify items made in occupied Japan by examining them for the stamp. For the majority of objects, this stamp will be on the bottom. For example, occupied Japan plates would have the stamp on the part that sits on the table.
What does China made in Occupied Japan mean?
A term used for Japanese export from 1945 to 1952 As Japan needed to rebuild their economy after the war, part of the agreement to allow them to export goods out of their country was that they had to mark 50% of all items with "Occupied Japan" or "Made in Occupied Japan."
What's the difference between Made in Japan and Made in occupied Japan?
Not all products made in Japan between 1946 and April 1952 are marked "Made in Occupied Japan" or "Occupied Japan." Some pieces simply were marked "Japan" or "Made in Japan." However, collectors of Occupied Japan material insist that "Occupied" be found in the mark for an item to be considered a true Occupied Japan ...
How old is an item Made in occupied Japan?
Any pottery that is stamped with “Made in Occupied Japan” and can be authenticated to have been manufactured between the summer of 1945 and spring of 1952. Items include ashtrays, planters, and other knickknacks.
Is porcelain from occupied Japan valuable?
Dramatic price increases for Occupied Japan collectibles are not expected by most experts. The majority of ceramic items are valued between $6 and $100, and are expected to remain so.
How do you identify Japanese pottery marks?
Signatures are usually followed by a suffix, for example Sei, tsukuru or saku all meaning "made", or Ga, Dzu or Fude meaning "painted" or "drawn". Then there are place names, Satsuma, Kutani, Seto etc. To read these requires references such as a good Japanese/English dictionary such as Nelsons.
How do I know if my figurines are valuable?
So, the better the condition, the greater the value. Beyond that, the rarity, age and quality of a figurine will also work together to determine its value. Chips, cracks, faded or rubbed away paint, and crazing can all lower the value of any ceramics, including figurines.
How old is marked Japan?
If your piece is marked “Nippon,” then it was made and imported between 1891 and 1921. If it is marked “Japan”, then your piece was made and imported after 1921. The mark may tell you where your piece was made and if you know the history of understanding pottery marks, then the mark can help you date your piece too.
Is Japanese pottery valuable?
These Japanese vases with gold glaze are valuable collectibles, with most existing pieces made during the latter half of the 19th century and the early part of the 20th.
Does Etsy offer free shipping?
Shipping policies vary, but many of our sellers offer free shipping when you purchase from them. Typically, orders of $35 USD or more (within the s...
How do I personalize items on Etsy?
Found something you love but want to make it even more uniquely you? Good news! Many sellers on Etsy offer personalized, made-to-order items. To pe...
Does shopping on Etsy help support small businesses?
Absolutely! Our global marketplace is a vibrant community of real people connecting over special goods. With powerful tools and services, along wit...
Are the products on Etsy handmade?
From handmade pieces to vintage treasures ready to be loved again, Etsy is the global marketplace for unique and creative goods. It’s also home to...
When did Japan become occupied?
In February 1947 , the General Headquarters, administrative arm of the American occupying forces, ordered all products made for export to be marked “Occupied Japan” or “Made in Occupied Japan.”. World War II devasted the Japanese economy.
What was the Japanese economy during World War II?
World War II devasted the Japanese economy. The Japanese ceramic industry was one of the first to be revitalized. Using aid from the United States, Japanese ceramic manufacturers began producing ceramic knickknacks for sale to the occupying American soldiers.
Is "Occupied Japan" a mark?
Collectors of Occupied Japan pieces insist that “Occupied” be found in the mark in order for the piece to be considered a true Occupied Japan collectible. Not all products made in Japan between 1946 and April 1952 are marked “Occupied Japan.”. Some pieces simply were marked “Japan” or “Made in Japan.’. These designations were added ...
Why is China marked differently?
China made in Japan during these years will be marked differently because at that time Japan was invaded by United States forces. The marks are "Made in Occupied Japan" and "Occupied Japan". According to Occupied Japan, these marks were provided for American consumers who believed that purchase proceeds would repay war reparations.
What are the common identifiers for Japanese porcelain?
According to Japanese ceramics historian, Jan-Erik Nilsson, common identifiers are "Good Luck," "Made in Japan," "Happiness," "Nippon" and plain, "Japan". However, in the absence of these marks, Japanese china can be identified by experts according to embossed names which may represent a Japanese factory, importer, exporter, designer, ...
Who makes unglazed china?
Unglazed china may be made by Banko and Bizen ware is characterized by funny images of nature. Soma pottery feature horses and Awaji is known for the use of bright green and yellow glaze. Advertisement.
Why did Japan have a strong demand for ceramics?
Due to trade difficulties with China by the end of the Chinese Ming dynasty, and an improved Japanese economy during the Momoyama period (1573-1615), a strong demand for Japanese ceramics resulted in a surge of creativity. Thousands of kilns developed their own regional style.
What is the greatest ceramic center in Japan?
Seto ware. "The province of Owari, with Nagoya as its commercial and industrial metropolis, is the greatest ceramic center [of Japan] so far as the amount of products ... Owari produces so many varieties of porcelain and stoneware that the Japanese familiarly speak of porcelain and pottery in general as "setomono" after the village of the same name in this province."
What are the colors of Kutani porcelain?
On the whole Kutani porcelains are characterized by their elaborate picture decorations in thick gold, red, blue and some other colors. As for Kyoto wares, Rakuyaki of Kyoto, closely connected with tea ceremonies since olden days. Awata ware porcelains and Kiyomizu wares are among the souvenirs of Kyoto. Seto ware.
Where did Korean porcelain come from?
After the Japanese invasions of Korea in 1592 and 1598, a number of skilled Korean potters who had learned from the Chinese how to produce fine porcelain, were brought back to Japan. Some of these settled in Arita in northern Kyushu, where they discovered porcelain clay. One of the Korean porcelain makers was Ri Sampei. He is considered as the "father" of Japanese porcelain. The area became Japan's major center of porcelain production and its products were also exported from the port of Imari.
What does Fuki Choshun mean?
Alternative translations add that fuki (huki) also means peonies and is a symbol of wealth and choshun means roses, a symbol of everlasting spring as in, forever young. This mark was mainly used during the Meiji Period, from 1868-1912. During this period, Japan moved from being an isolated society to one with more open trade, where this one of the earliest trade marks not imitating a Chinese Imperial Nian Hao (reign mark).
What was the new Meiji government?
With the new Meiji government, the old feudal system was changed and many highly skilled potters found themselves out of work.#N#After many years of a strict regulation in the Edo period (1603-1868), a new Meiji government finally opened a door to the oversea trade. Traditionally trained artists and craft men, who had lost their feudal patrons, were welcomed to a new venture by the government and by entrepreneurs, to create new products attractive to the foreigners in America and Europe.#N#When Japan now opened up for foreign trade and trade agreements were signed with America, England, Holland, Russia and France. Yokohama became a center for much of the new trade. Businessmen and entrepreneurs from all over Japan flocked around the port and to set up shops.#N#Now, Japanese pottery and porcelain found new markets. The producers were inventive and could readily deliver anything the export market demanded. Their technique and skills were the traditional but the products were commercial, except a few true artisans, such as for example the Makuzu company.#N#The pottery and porcelain made in and around the Yokohama port were known as Yokohama-yaki, including "Yokohama Satsuma", to which for example the Hodota brand belongs.#N#These export products were made in small factories and workshops set up quickly, to meet foreign demands.
What are the souvenirs of Kyoto?
Awata ware porcelains and Kiyomizu wares are among the souvenirs of Kyoto. Seto ware. "The province of Owari, with Nagoya as its commercial and industrial metropolis, is the greatest ceramic center [of Japan] so far as the amount of products ...
10 Most Valuable Made in Occupied Japan Figurines Online
NB: These prices aren’t fixed, as you’ll learn in the valuation section. They’re, however, the best compiled from reputable online stores like Etsy and eBay.
How to Identify Occupied Japan Figurines
Even though Made in Occupied Japan Figurines are affordable, some dubious people still make cheaper reproductions and copies. Whereas reproductions are exact replicas, Copies are stylistic imitations with slight changes.
What is the value of Made in Occupied Japan Figurines?
Made in Occupied Japan figurines aren’t worth much because they’re copies of original American and European designs. Unlike original producers like Hummel, Meissen, and Royal Doulton, they often used cheap materials, hence their low retail value.
Parting Words
Gene Florence’s book Occupied Japan Collectibles holds all the information you need from pricing to identification. You can identify a copy in these three easy steps;
Who coined the term "found object lamps"?
Leland and Crystal Payton, authors of "Turned On: Decorative Lamps of the Fifties" (Abbeville Press, 1989, $27.50, 96 pp.) coined the term "found object lamps" to identify lamps made from oddball material such as mollusk shells, parking meters, wagon-wheel hubs, etc. Actually they probably are a product of the "Cash from Trash" school of handcrafters that was active in the late 1950s and early 1960s. I cringe every time I think about Edwin G. Warman's "Cash from Trash' (E.G. Warman Publishing Company, 1957).
Is there a mark for "Occupied Japan"?
However, collectors of Occupied Japan material insist that "Occupied" be found in the mark for an item to be considered a true Occupied Japan collectible.
Why Are Occupied Japan Figurines Worth More?
For one thing, even though many objects received the stamp, they are still rare. Seven years is a relatively short time, after all.
What happened to the Japanese stamps after World War II?
Facts About Occupied Japan Stamps on Products. After World War II, the Allied forces occupied Japan for seven years. During the occupation period, most Japanese goods imported to the U.S. carried this mark, but not all. Today, collectors prefer and pay more for collectibles marked "Occupied Japan.".