[KitchyGirl]

I have a small planter with vibrant colors which is marked Made in Occupied Japan. It is perfect. It's a banana. Has anyone seen one of these? I'm wanting to know the value. Thank you in advance.

[ma0641]

Lots of Occupied Japan pottery on eBay. I have a matched pair of French figurines marked "Made in Occupied Japan".

[Specter1]

"Q: I’ve had this pair of ceramic shoes in my possession for over 40 years. They were given to me by my sister-in-law, who said they were her mother’s. I believe they may be ceramic. They are about 3 inches in length and 1½ inches at the highest point (the heels). They are hollow inside and some of the paint is faded or gone.

The shoes will be given to our daughter, and I would like to give her some historical information and let her know if they are of any value.

A: Your little ceramic shoes are stamped “Made in Occupied Japan.” While they do not have high monetary value, they are examples of a fascinating period in post-World War II Japan.

“Occupied Japan” refers to the years 1945 through 1951 when western forces occupied Japan.

Imperial Japan surrendered to the Allied Forces of Great Britain, China, the Soviet Union and the United States in 1945. The Supreme Command of Allied Powers (SCAP), led by U.S. Gen. Douglas MacArthur, then took control of the country. This involved disarming Japan’s military, establishing a new political order and eventually, helping revive the ravaged Japanese economy.

Exporting manufactured goods to western markets was part of this economic revival. All goods destined for the U.S. had to be marked “Occupied Japan” or “Made in Occupied Japan.” The products were usually inexpensive toys, tea sets and kitchen items, many of them copying western motifs.

Your little pair of ceramic shoes was made during this period. You can tell from the photographs that they were never “fine” china. The mold marks are visible and the sprayed-on color decorations have faded or washed off. Retailers including Woolworths, Sears and local five-and-dime stores sold items like these as mini-vases or dresser decorations.

Occupied Japan articles were highly desirable collectibles until the 1980s and 1990s, when reproductions began to show up on the market. You can still find active collector groups on Facebook. Your little shoes are a sweet inheritance; their monetary value is $5 to $10."

https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/11/...ccupied-japan/