| Place | Asia: Japan |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL36948.001 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Heraldry |
| Physical description | China |
| Maker |
Yamaka Porcelain Corporation |
| Place made | Japan |
| Date made | c 1945-1952 |
| Conflict |
British Commonwealth Occupation Force, 1946-1952 (Japan) |
'Occupied Japan' dinner plate
Description
Round dinner plate with decorative floral design. The rim has an ornate alternating beige and red floral transfer design. Five individual rose motif transfer designs are featured equidistant around the cream edge where the rim joins the well of the plate. A gold scalloped ring around the centre floor encloses a 135mm white circle. Underneath in the centre of the base is a maker's mark. The mark is a red floral wreath on a cream background surmounted by a scroll with decorative finials. In the scroll is printed 'YAMAKA'. In the centre of the wreath, in gothic script, is printed 'YM'. Loose ends at the bottom of the wreath flow out horizontally surmounting the city name 'TAJIMI' flanked on either side by a small cream flower. Curved around the underside of the maker's mark is 'MADE IN OCCUPIED JAPAN'. There is a small chip on the top edge of the rim.
History / Summary
This bowl is an example of Japanese manufacturing from 1945 and the establishment of the United States military occupation of the country, to 1952 and the return of Japanese independent government. During this period many manufactured goods were marked 'Made in Occupied Japan'.
The British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF), including Australians, supported the US Military Government by supervising Japan's demilitarisation.