bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post

"Made in Japan" or "Made in Occupied Japan" stamps or stickers on Japanese items can offer a way to date their manufacture and could possibly have a bearing on their value. The use of those marks indicates the item they are on is from the early to mid-20th century, as American import laws required such things.

http://www.findarticles.com/p/artic...17/ai_n16862935

http://www.gotheborg.com/marks/noritake.shtml

The inclusion of such a mark on a Japanese item can make it more valuable to collectors in some cases. For instance, on Japanese woodblock prints, the inclusion of a stamp like this on the reverse side of the print indicates it is probably pre-1950 or so and possibly more valuable than the same print without the mark. Woodblock prints are made from carved woodblocks that have been kept for a hundred years by some publishers, prints can be reproduced rather easily.

I've never seen a bonsai pot with such a stamp though...

As for "chop" marks on Japanese pots, I have some with maker's marks that are marginal in quality, but also some that are outstanding. I also have some American made pots that are the same way...

2-Feb-2007	#27
rockm bonsaiTALK ArchMaster Join Date: Oct-2003 Location: Fairfax, Va Country: USA USDA Zone: 7 AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 4,561	"Made in Japan" or "Made in Occupied Japan" stamps or stickers on Japanese items can offer a way to date their manufacture and could possibly have a bearing on their value. The use of those marks indicates the item they are on is from the early to mid-20th century, as American import laws required such things. http://www.findarticles.com/p/artic...17/ai_n16862935 http://www.gotheborg.com/marks/noritake.shtml The inclusion of such a mark on a Japanese item can make it more valuable to collectors in some cases. For instance, on Japanese woodblock prints, the inclusion of a stamp like this on the reverse side of the print indicates it is probably pre-1950 or so and possibly more valuable than the same print without the mark. Woodblock prints are made from carved woodblocks that have been kept for a hundred years by some publishers, prints can be reproduced rather easily. I've never seen a bonsai pot with such a stamp though... As for "chop" marks on Japanese pots, I have some with maker's marks that are marginal in quality, but also some that are outstanding. I also have some American made pots that are the same way...