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 Hoping this may help you understanding the Era's.

1860s-1891 JAPONISME ERA

All types of Japanese art and ceramics ere eagerly collected in the West. Before 1891 ,goods exporated to America did not have to be stamped with their country of origin in English. Japanese ceramics usually had no backstamps, or they had artists or their patrons names in Japanese characters.

1891-1921

NIPPON/HAND PAINTED NIPPON ERA

The McKinley Tariff, which took effect March 1,1891, required that all imported goods be stamped in English with their country of origin. At the time, "NIPPON" was considered to be an acceptable name for Japan, so most Japanese ceramics of this period were backstamed "NIPPON" or "HAND PAINTED NIPPON." often with a company logo as well. However, not all were stamped that way. There were still unmarked pieces, and pieces stamped "JAPAN" as well.  NIPPON pieces are priced higher than MADE IN JAPAN and are eagerly sought by collectors.

1921-1941 NORITAKE ART DECO ERA

Many collectors consider the Noritake Art Deco pieces the "Cadillac" of Made in Japan ceramics. They were consistenly of better quality and most beautifully decorated, and today they are very avidly collected and are priced accordingly! Noritake Art Deco pieces generally are priced higher than similar Made in Japan pieces.

1921-1941 EARLY MADE IN JAPAN ERA ("GOLDEN AGE")

The U.S. Customs Bureau ruled that "Nippon" was no longer an acceptable synonym. As of August 1, 1921 all goods were supposed to be backstamped "Japan"  Technically, the Made in Japan Era began when NIppon era ended in 1921, but it really was not that precise. At some point the U>S> Customs Bureau may have required that the words," MADE IN" be added to the backstamps, but this was not always done. Unmarked pieces sometimes slipped through Customs ,but most of the ceramics from 1921 to 1941 are marked either "JAPAN" or "MADE IN JAPAN" . Sometimes all pieces in a set are not backstamped. The profit margin on ceramics was slim, and a factory could save a little labor cost by not marking every piece in a set. If pieces in a set have different backstamps, it is because there often was not room for MADE IN JAPAN" or a company logo, so they just used "Japan" on some of the smaller pieces. Early Made in Japan pieces, especially Art Deco and lustres, have come into their own and are very collectible.

Note: There was an embargo on Japanese imports during World War II. No new shipments of Japanese ceramic were imported from 1941 until the end of the war. Pieces already in America continued to sell, It took nearly two years for the first Japanese ceramics to reach America after the war ended.

1947-1952 OCCUPIED JAPAN/MADE IN OCCUPIED JAPAN ERA

The UNITED STATES occupied Japan from Sept. 2,1945, until April 28, 1952. The Occupied Japan backstamp Era truly began August 15, 1947 when the first shipment of Occupied Japan ceramics arrived in America. The U>S> Customs Bureau decreed in 1949 that Japanese goods could be marked"OCCUPIED JAPAN". "MADE IN OCCUPIED JAPAN","JAPAN"or"MADE IN JAPAN". Again, some were not marked at all. Occupied ware has its ardent collectors as well, but prices seem to be about equal to or (in some cases) lower than early Made in Japan

1952-TODAY- POST-WAR MADE IN JAPAN ERA

When the Occupation ended in 1952, marks no longer contained the work "Occupied" so pieces were again marked only with "Japan" or "Made in Japan". This is when the paper label era really began. Prior to WWII, paper labels were flimsy and the glue was often not strong, so the Customs Bureau usually made importers replace the labels with indelible ink backstamps. In the 1950's ,technology improved and paper labels were allowed. The two most common types of labels seem to be: *Small oval or rectangular blue or black paper with white letters. * Two -color metallic, such as black or red with gold or silver lettering. The real sleepers are the post-WWII Made in Japan pieces because they are stil very affordable. but watch for quality items with no damage.  

I sure hope this helps someone out there. Thank you for checking it out and thank you ahead of time if you VOTE.

I sell lots of vintage china and always adding new pieces, I also handpaint wine glasses, wine bottles(use as a lovely decanter) etc. Please take a peek in my store. thanks very much!

EBAY USER NAME: Angieplk   PLEASE VOTE IF YOU THINK THIS WAS HELPFUL TO YOU, THANKS

I WROTE THIS GUIDE TO TRY TO HELP PEOPLE SEARCHING FOR INFO. I USED THE INFO FROM A BOOK  CALLED COLLECTOR'S GUIDE TO MADE IN JAPAN BY CAROLE BESS WHITE,, VERY GOOD BOOK BY THE WAY, ANYWAY I WANTED TO COME BACK TO EDIT THIS AND ADD IT IN, I RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM SOMEONE WHO WAS CONCERNED I WAS CLAIMING THE WRITING  FOR THIS, BUT NO, NOT AT ALL,  I JUST WANTED TO HELP OTHER FIND INFO.