How about a bit of a pirate teapot today?? Or at least I think it is a pirate. Or maybe a hobo. What do you think? An Ebay purchase and for those who wonder it is stamped with Made in Occupied Japan which is a collectible for a group of interested folks. This is what I found on that subject from the antiques website Kovalls.com:
Occupied Japan was printed on pottery, porcelain, toys, and other goods made during the American occupation of Japan after World War II, from 1947 to 1952. Collectors now search for these pieces. The items were made for export. Many pieces with the Occupied Japan mark were inexpensive novelties for dime stores, while others were copies of European ceramic favorites.
I just liked it and thought it was a good one for my collection. What do you think?
Windblown as usual on the back deck!
It's Just Life 
I love that it is marked, but he looks mean – I wouldn’t want to have my tea with him after dark
He does look mean, doesn’t it??? But I still am not sure what he is—a pirate or bum?? Mean man???
Hmmm, is there a difference between pirate and bum?
I think there is. I am sure a pirate would object to being called a bum and vice versa!
Arg! I think he’s a pirate matey! Definitely unique…..and such an interesting marking..Occupied Japan! Thank you for the history lesson too 🙂
I still am not sure what it is all about but I suspect this is a knock off of something and not worth much at all. That is okay—he is neat in a weird way!
I agree that he is not the most hospitable looking person to serve up tea. But the story behind his existence is particularly intriguing and makes him worth keeping.
I agree. He is a bit scary looking but very unique which makes him perfect for my collection!
Love it, Beth Ann. It’s definitely a pirate, especially if it’s from Japan, I imagine! I’m trying to get back to blogging. Now that we have some furniture in our Ecuador home, I’m hoping that will help!
I think that is what it is, too!!! Can’t wait to read your latest blog post!! I am a bit slow this week….on vacay so not really keeping my regular schedule!
I think, it’s one of those wise ninja masters. Pretty cool. 🙂
Oooh…you might be right!!!! 🙂 I could learn from him. Oh wait—-I ruled out ninja on my possible occupations, didn’t I?
I’m thinking Samurai rather than pirate or hobo.
Oh —I did not think of Samurai!!! YOu might be right!
I think it’s a Japanese Sumurai, not sure though. Definitely an interesting find and worthy addition!
You guys are all so smart!!!! I am so impressed with your knowledge!!!!
Ya know……it was the first word that popped to my mind when I spotted it! Sometimes, I have to just go with it and not over think it! ROFL!!!!!!!!
I like him for whimsy’s sake! He reminds me of British Toby Jugs – though a real one of those would be worth an arm and a leg, I bet. He’s great!
Oh if only!!!! 🙂 I am sure this is just a knock off but I like him!
My mother has a knock-off or two, but she also owns a tiny real one. I think it’s chipped, though, so mostly just is fun but worthless!
very interesting piece. His face looks piratey….but it looks like the handle is one of those sticks that hobos would tie their belongings around as they traveled. Or maybe it’s a sword?? Arrrgghhh. vexing me heartie! 🙂
I know !!! I can’t figure it out either!!!!
He looks very much like the pirate teapots and mugs we saw in Penzance Cornwall. Isn’t the handle his sword? All pirates were meant to look mean (except for Captain Jack Sparrow who just looks good!) Great find Beth Ann.
I guess I would like to have a Captain Jack Sparrow one if it was available, too! 🙂
Love Hilary’s comment about not having tea with him after dark! Good question as to his lot in life. “Windblown on the back deck” is a good look on you.
Haha—-I agree—tea after dark with him would be scary.
The difference between a hobo (bum) and a Pirate is one makes a living from stealing and the other makes a living from panhandling or doing daily odd job…I always think of pirates with a patch which this pot doesn’t have but isn’t that a ring in his ear? If so that accessory is stereotypical pirate. A hobo in the classic hobo/bum would never have a ring in their ear. I love the idea of a Samurai (great connection) but they travel darkly adjourned with a minimal amount of clothing and never an earring–if that is an earring (I have a son that was going to be a Samurai when he grew up–for years so I know these things ad nauseum) On the other hand all of these details are left to the potters imagination so I am going with pirate-Samurai. Ok. I’m done now. Do you have a wench t-pot?
Pirate Samurai it is then!!! And no….I do not have a wench t-pot. I need one. And when I first read that I thought you wrote wrench and that made no sense. But I don’t have a wrench one either.
He looks like some kind of weathered fisherman maybe to me…
Aw…..good call, Rachael!!!
All I know about this teapot is that I would not like to have it where I had to see it all the time.
I think you have good company on that one. Doreen was kind of freaked out by it. 🙂
I think that’s a hobo 😉
I like that photo of you and the teapot…you look like an advert woman 😉
Haha! Wind blown hair and all!