Figure it out: Occupied Japan collectors favor figurines

Krause Collectibles Corner

From September 7, 1945, until April 25, 1952, the Land of the Rising Sun was the land of the Stars and Stripes, as the United States occupied post-World War II Japan.

During those years, items made in Japan for export to the United States, England and India were marked "Occupied Japan."

Little did anyone think at the time that the addition of the word "occupied" on Japanese ware would spawn an entire collecting area that has drawn thousands of die-hard hobbyists.

Figurines are at the top of the list of OJ collectibles.

The appealing porcelain and bisque figures depict a broad range of subjects, from whimsical maidens such as the one shown to prosaic items of daily life such as the telephone.

Occupied Japan (OJ) collectors are a label-conscious lot. Unmarked pieces, which otherwise are exactly like the marked versions, are of little interest to them. An unmarked item's value can fall to 25 percent that of the same piece marked OJ.

The marks come in all colors, and no color is more valuable than another. Many different designs and names can be found, but all include "Made in Occupied Japan" or "Occupied Japan."

Quality can vary greatly. Some figures are finely detailed; others are somewhat shoddy and sloppy in appearance.

Collectors will find that figures were produced in sets and as stand-alone pieces.

"Experts don't know how many figures were produced in sets, making it difficult to find matches for single pieces," said Carrie P. Jones, a contributor to Antique Trader magazine. "But singles are still coveted by collectors."

When two figures are on a single base, it is referred to as a "double." Prices escalate as the number of figures on a single base increase.

Figures of children are quite popular.

Hummel-style boys and girls and figures marked "American Children" in cursive are worth approximately $50. Similar figures without the OJ mark bring only $10.

Children accompanied by animals are a common subject, as are Colonial-style people, angels, elves, clowns, pixies, Cinderella coaches, and "shelf-sitters" (figurines that can sit on a shelf).

Cats and dogs are popular themes for collect of Occupied Japan ceramics. Dogs are more readily available than the felines. Recent online sales of dogs ranged in price from $5 for common pieces to $115 for an unusual poodle.

Occupied Japan also made figural planters, which were all the rage in the United States during the 1940s and '50s. Japanese planters are usually thinner and lighter than their American-made counterparts.

Occupied Japan planters such as the spotted dog and cart shown above aren't as popular as the figurines. Many sell for $8 to $20, making them good starter items for beginners.

As with figurines, animals and children are some of the most common subjects of planters.

Copyright 2002 by Krause Publications. For a free catalog of Krause Publications books or periodicals on collectibles, write Public Relations, Dept. IC, Krause Publications, 700 E. State St., Iola, WI 54990-0001, or visit www.collect.com on the worldwide web, or e-mail info@krause.com.