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 demand for occupied japan items is growing After World War II, the United States occupied Japan to help rebuild the country's infrastrucutre. Japan responded and became a world economic power over the next several decades. From 1942 to 1952, items made in Japan for export to other countries 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. The same items made for sale within Japan in these occupation years were not marked with the "occupied" modifier. Also, not all exported items were marked "Occupied Japan." Unmarked pieces, which otherwise were exactly like the marked versions, are generally valued about 50 percent to 75 percent of the marked pieces, according to the book Today's Hottest Collectibles. Items made during the U.S. occupation of post-World War II Germany were marked "U.S. Zone Germany." But these items are not, for the most part, highly sought-after or collected. With more people collecting Occupied Japan items than ever before, more people are chasing the same items. This, in turn, has driven the prices up. Many pieces, however, remain affordable for all collectors. Figurines are some of the more common Occupied Japan items. They include glazed and unglazed ceramics and bisque and celluloid figures. Quality can vary greatly. Some are finely detailed; others were somewhat shoddy and sloppy. It appears they were made in a hurry. The larger figurines tend to be more valuable. Chips, dings, and cracks make figurines almost worthless. Often seen are Hummel-style boys and girls, but the quality is not up to the Hummel standards. The Occupied Japan versions sell for about $20 to $30 on the collectibles market. Figurines of American-style children were also made in great quantities and variety. They're popular with today's collectors and sell for about $20 to $30. Figurines of Asian children and adults can be readily found for $5 to $20. Other Occupied Japan figurines to look for include Colonial-style people, animals, angels, elves, clowns, pixies, Cinderella coaches, and "shelf-sitters" (figurines that can sit on a shelf ). These and other Occupied Japan figurines were often made in pairs. Salt and pepper shakers with the Occupied Japan mark are also popular. Themes to look for include Native Americans, animals, fruits, and vegetables. All sell in the $10 to $20 range. Figural ceramic planters were all the rage in the United States in the 1940s and '50s. U.S. companies like McCoy, Royal Copley, and Shawnee provided a steady stream of these planters. Occupied Japan also made figural ceramic planters in this era. The Japanese versions are usually thinner and lighter than their American-made counterparts. Occupied Japan planters aren't as popular as the figurines. Many sell for $8 to $20, making them good starter items for beginners. Animals and children are common subjects for figural planters. Toys are among the most expensive Occupied Japan items. They were made from metal, tin, celluloid, or a combination of materials. Many have survived over the years, some even with their original boxes. Collectors surmise that because Japanese toys at the time were considered such a cheap gift, they weren't even taken out of their boxes and played with. Wind-up toys marked Occupied Japan start at around $50 and routinely range up to $100 to $200. A rare Mickey Mouse trapeze toy is valued in Today's Hottest Collectibles at $1,000. A wind-up toy skier with a celluloid body and tin skis is worth about $395. A celluloid toy bunny on a tin tricycle is worth $375. A tin and celluloid "Hurricane Racer" is worth $325 if still in its original box. Santa Claus toys marked Occupied Japan appeal to Occupied Japan and Santa collectors. Crossover among categories of collectibles usually drives up values. Three wind-up toy Santas marked Occupied Japan and listed in Today's Hottest Collectibles range in value from $95 to $225. When seeking Occupied Japan items, collectors should be alert for rubber-stamped marks on glazed ceramic pieces. This may indicate a reproduction. Sometimes the mark is added to previously unmarked glazed items to make them appear to be legitimate. If fingernail polish removes the Occupied Japan mark, the piece is fake because the original marks are under the glaze. Don't try this test, however, on an unglazed item. Copyright 1999 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.krause.com on the worldwide web, or e-mail info@krause.com. 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