Comments on: Collecting Wares Made in Post-WWII ‘Occupied Japan’

By: Loren Knutson

Loren Knutson — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 13:13:31 +0000

My Father was in the occupation of Japan in the mid forties. He made friends with a Japanese Potter’s family in Kyoto. The potter threw a vase out of a porcelain type material and then “painted” a glaze on it consisting of many scholars(with all the same faces). It arrived in Northrn Minnesota with just the bamboo frame holding the vase in place. Someone had ripped out the address and scotch taped it to the vase. I still have the vase and would like to know if the family can be traced by the pot and the signature?

By: Liz Byerly

Liz Byerly — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 20:31:08 +0000

I have 2 silver plated peacock shaped dishes Made in Occupied Japan. I wanted to know the value of these dishes.

By: Bill

Bill — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 02:24:53 +0000

Hello
I am a collector (not a dealer) of novelty clocks made in occupied Japan … specifically from Tezuka Clock Company, Ltd. I have been reconstructing the history of the company with the help of some Japanese friends who have access to former employees of the company. I am also compiling a database of actual auction values which I plan on contributing to a popular online clock price guide. I’d like to clarify a point brought up in the Worthpoint article on “Made in Occupied Japan” marks as they relate specifically to Tezuka clocks … and may also relate to other products. Not all Tezuka clocks, especially the ones made early in the occupation, have “Made in Occupied Japan” on them (usually the dial face and/or the works). Some do and some don’t. It is evident, however, from the quality of the workmanship and paint that certain specimens were from the period of occupation and not after (circa 1952 when the Treaty of San Francisco was signed). I also want to add that for a beginner to this wonderful subset of clocks and occupied japan items it is always desirable to go with those items that are clearly marked as being made during the occupation. If any of you have any questions or would like a clarification on some point or help getting started please feel free to contact me directly at whcureton@aol.com clearly stating “Tezuka Clock Question” in your subject field … I get a lot of emails. The prices for the rarer specimens of Tezuka clocks are going up yearly. In 2004 a “Made in Occupied Japan” Betty Boop moving eye novelty clock went for $1,526 on Ebay. That may have been a rare exception but prices in the $200 – $600 are very common nowdays. Happy collecting!
- Bill

By: Blake stein

Blake stein — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 16:35:15 +0000

This morning my grandfather pulled from his attic a long forgotten collection of antique hand held cigarette lighters. Many are inscribed with the oj on the base. Styles vary as some have the classic geisha designs while others look like miniature cameras. My grandfather would like to sell them, anyone know aproximate value? Thanks, Blake

By: Dona Pascaly

Dona Pascaly — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 02:36:17 +0000

I have a vase of a boy on skies. It looks like a Hummel.
Is there anyway I get receive any information on it. The bottom is in green ink (NAPCO Made in Occupied Japan). The item was my grandmothers and she gave it to me. The item has to be at least 65 years old I’m guessing if not older???
Thanks for any help about this item.

By: Larry Hearn

Larry Hearn — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 15:41:59 +0000

OJ collectors generally expect a piece to me marked to be considered occupied. However, an exception to this rule is when therre are a matching pair of figurines and only one is marked. It is possible for the same item to be produced during and after the occupation. For the unmarked one to be called “occupied,” it is best to keep the pair together. Hope this helps.

Larry

By: Mary Chavez

Mary Chavez — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 23:16:37 +0000

I have a set of figurines and one is stamped occupied japan, while the other just says japan. Why? Is only one of the occupied japan time frame? They are a set I am sure. they each have the same yellow costume.
Thank you

By: Larry Hearn

Larry Hearn — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 13:05:08 +0000

Most of the Hummel-look OJ figurines are inexpensive. The exception are the ones that are marked “American Children” along with the OJ mark. Archambeau has produced a b/w booklet showing 44 different ones that have been discovered. These usually sell for $75-200. Hope this helps.

Larry

By: Jeanne Grant

Jeanne Grant — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:51:09 +0000

What did you want to know about them? I’m not much of an expert, but there are some great books out there by Archumbault and others that might be more helpful.

By: Diego

Diego — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:32:08 +0000

Interesting site. I was looking to find something about two hummel looking kids mad in japan, maybe mid 40′s to 50′s. Maybe you know something about them. I can email you a picture if you would like.

By: Jeanne Grant

Jeanne Grant — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 19:33:57 +0000

This is a great article, Very interesting and I love the pictures! I have a collection to sell. Does anyone know of anyone interested in acquiring OJ? Jeanne

By: Sherry

Sherry — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:02:54 +0000

Great information on OJ. Thank you for sharing. Question, the ink colors for Japan are they for different years or manufacture signatures. I have found items stamped Japan in red, black and green.

By: sherry

sherry — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:03:26 +0000

there are many people interested in the “made in Occupied Japan” items. not just the participants either, I know several collectors who are of the younger generation.
as to the poor quality of the items, Japan’s manufacturing base had been pretty much destroyed during the bombing as a prelude to invasion. while some local artists were still able to produce quality objects they were mostly to expensive for the enlisted man.
only half of the items for export were required to bear the “made in occupied Japan” mark.

By: Don

Don — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 20:46:27 +0000

A few years ago, before I was in the antique business, I ran across 6 very attractive copper figurines at a local shop. I turned the first one over and it said “MADE IN OCCUPIED JAPAN”. Actually, only the first 2 say MIOJ, but they are numbered 1-6 on the bottom of each. I had never seen MIOJ before, but being attracted to things Japanese and Asian in general, I bought them. They sit on top of my desk in my office. I wonder if there were many other copper MIOJ items made?

In reply to Peggy, the Japanese before and during WWII were, at least, as xenophobic as people in the West and the US in particular. In my collection of Japanese books written after the war, there are comments about their surprise at how well they were treated by the Americans forces and how accepting the Americans were of things Japanese. One possible reason for much of the low quality MIOJ goods might have been that the GIs in Japan had little money and knew nothing of procelain, but still wanted to buy trinkets to send to family and sweethearts. Like Henry Ford, they may have decided that selling millions of inexpensive things would be better than selling just a few expensive ones.

By: Peggy Whiteneck

Peggy Whiteneck — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 14:07:12 +0000

As we can see from most of the responses to this article, readers are primarily interested in the question of OJ’s monetary value, specifically for the porcelain figurines. I collect and write about Asian porcelains, and I’m also an antique shopaholic, and so have had frequent opportunity to see OJ items though I’ve never been moved to acquire any.

In porcelains, value is directly linked to quality. I have to say that one of the things that has always struck me about the Occupied Japan porcelain figurines is their obvious artistic inferiority to anything produced in Japan before or since. (That’s a generalization about OJ, of course, and exceptions can perhaps be found.) As we know, the Japanese are capable – and HAVE ALWAYS BEEN capable – of producing extraordinary quality across a wide swath of artistic and manufactured wares. The OJ era and the couple of decades immediately subsequent to it wherein “Made in Japan” became synonymous with “junk,” stand out as an odd exception in that long history of quality. The question is why? Was post World-War II Japan so spiritually depressed that it had forgotten its long history of quality in porcelain and other wares? Possibly.

But here’s an alternative possibility. It may well have been that the OJ wares were a hidden Japanese cultural joke on the US as an occupying power. During this era, racial prejudice and a widespread sense that non-whites were racially inferior still characterized US culture. It’s not unusual for conquered peoples to thumb their noses at the occupying power by boldly pandering to stereotypes. After all, what the conquerer doesn’t know about who you really are and what you can really do, the conqueror can’t hurt.

American insistence upon the word “Occupied” in the mark for these wares had to have have been seen as particularly offensive to proud Japanese, a sort of rubbing their noses in their conquered status. One can almost hear them saying, “Okay, Americans, you want ‘occupied?’ We’ll give you ‘occupied.’ We’ll give you crap!”

By: ROCKY B.

ROCKY B. — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 20:14:30 +0000

I RECEIVED FROM AN UNCLE,THAT SERVED IN O.J.,A SET OF GLAZED TAN COFFEE MUG/CUPS,THAT THE HANDLES ARE OF FEMALES IN DIFFERENT POSTIONS SERVING AS THE HANDLES. MY AUNT ,DUE TO THEIR BEING IN VARIOUS STAGES OF UNDRESS,WOULD NEVER ALLOW THEM OUT OF THE CLOSET.NOW THEY ARE MINE AND I WAS WONDERING ABOUT THEIR VALUE,NOT FOR MYSELF,BUT RATHER MY AUNT,WHO KEPT ‘THOSE NASTY THINGS’ UNDER WRAPS FOR SO LONG.LOL.MAYBE SURPRISE HER,WITH A GIFT..

By: m simons

m simons — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 10:43:30 +0000

I do not feel there is a strong maerket for these items becuase those interested in ww2 are aging and I do not see others interested in this period at this point. Perhaps in the future it will rebound. This was an area of ionterest 20 or more years ago when those who lived through the war years recalled the facts you describe so well.. just a thought thanks

By: SHERRY COLE

SHERRY COLE — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 01:24:11 +0000

I have some of the items shown here, from my grandmother ad dad when he was in the service, is there some way I can find out if they are worth something. Thank You in advance Sherry

By: sandra feldman

sandra feldman — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:53:46 +0000

I have a miniature vase that has the stamp made in occupied japan. It is similar to the one you show in this article. Can you tell me an approximate worth of something like this. Thenk you for your kind attention.

By: tom curb

tom curb — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:37:41 +0000

Something less usual. I have a license plate with the lettering “Japan” and “occupation”. Guess that makes it Occupied Japan as well.