Previously, the Japanese attached little emphasis to ornamentation but in their quest for trade the Japanese began to manufacture and decorate items in styles pleasing to the Westerners. Pottery factories sprang up everywhere. Many pieces of Nippon are hand-painted and say so on the backstamp. Others can be found decorated with decalcomanias (transfer prints). There is such diversity; so many techniques were used on Nippon porcelain that it can often bewilder the advanced collector as well as the beginner. Just as soon as we think we have seen it all, up pops another intriguing design or texture.

Mention the word "Nippon" to most people and they conjure up a vision of pretty little white dishes decorated with flowers or a small scene. And right they would be, for a good deal of Nippon pieces fall into this category. What many do not know, however, is the variety of items available. There are those decorated in a Wedgwood style, some have a tapestry appearance, others are relief molded while some have tiny colorless beads applied and collectors term this technique as coralene. One can find pieces decorated in the style of Dutch Gouda wares, others may have slip trailing of clay on them which we call moriage, while some havesprigged-on ornamentation. And the diversity of items that can be found is mind- boggling, anything from vases to humidors, chocolate sets to novelty wares. The list goes on and on. Whatever the West wanted, Japan happily supplied their needs.

Research indicates that the Noritake Company in Nagoya, Japan manufactured the majority of these items and they are still in business today. They had artists in New York City draw many of the early designs used on their wares and these drawings were then sent to Japan for the artists to copy. Many of these hand painted design sheets were also given to salesmen in the United States and were shown to prospective clients. If and when any of these original salesman or design pages can be found they are generally more expensive than the item they portray.

Today, prices are soaring at unheard of levels. Just click on eBay and you will see items that once could have been purchased for just $20.00 to $100.00 twenty years ago now fetching prices in the hundreds and thousands of dollars. Nippon was definitely a 'sleeper' for many years but that is certainly not the case today. It has awakened with a loud cry! I see no end in sight for this spiraling rise in cost as more collectors than ever have discovered Nippon's beauty and investment value. About ten years ago, collectors in Japan decided that many of these pieces should go back home to Japan and a buying frenzy started to take place. There have beenmany exhibits at Japanese museums of Nippon porcelain and they have fueled an extraordinary interest in these wares.

A common question asked by novice collectors is, "What should I collect?" The following are my rules for collecting: (1) Buy to please yourself. Your collection should be a reflection of your own taste. (2) Study, study and study some more. Read the books; talk with other collectors and dealers. Knowledge is power. (3) Become discriminating, you do not need one of every type of item ever manufactured. Buy quality and stay away from damaged items. One good item is always better than purchasing two or three mediocre pieces. (4) If rules 2 and 3 are too difficult to follow, go back to rule 1. If you really love an item and can afford it - go for it! But remember truly great collections require knowledge, work, discipline and patience. A large bank account can also help.