The following marks are from "Made in Japan" pieces. They are all
a little different either in color, size, or shape. There seems to be
no significance in color of the text as to age.
Pre-1921 items were not marked "Made in Japan". Most were marked
"Japan". After 1921 a lot of countries marked them either "Japan"
or "Nippon". From 1947 to current pieces are marked "Made in Japan"
or "Japan".
Note that pieces marked "Occupied Japan" or "Made in Occupied Japan"
are pieces dated from 1947 to 1952 are not usually considered "Made in
Japan" pieces. After 1952, pieces from Japan were either marked
"Japan" or "Made in Japan". The best way to tell age is merely by
looking and feeling the piece in question.
Some countries required imports to be marked "Foreign". Therefore,
some "Made in Japan" pieces brought into the United States from other
countries could be marked "Foreign" or not be marked at all.
For viewing a larger picture click on the image.
All of the above marks are from pieces in my own personal collection.
