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Antiques & Collectibles

Buttons - Chinese or Japanese?

11 years ago

Not sure what these buttons are made of, any guesses? Also are they chinese or japanese?

Can anybody decipher the writing on them? I've posted a few more pics with the writing on the back.

Thanks for any help.

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Comments (4)

justlinda
Original Author
11 years ago
Writing on the back.
colleenoz
11 years ago
Could they be plastic made to look like hand carved bone/ivory? The "2" on the back of one seems to indicate that.
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calliope
11 years ago
They are two of the seven major Japanese dieties. I believe the one on the left is Fukurokuju, he God of luck or longevity (the long forehead implies this one, although Jurojin is similar), and the one on the right is definitely Hotei, the God of happiness. The Japanese dieties, or at least some of them are also shared in the culture of China (as is the script), so I can't really say if they are Japanese or Chinese. I'd guess most likely Japanese.
justlinda
Original Author
11 years ago
Well, I'll be.......2 of 7 eh? Umm should I go hunting the other 5? Maybe NOT...lol.

Thanks for the info.

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