387. Made in Occupied Japan: ASIAN COUPLE FIGURINES

Made in Occupied Japan collectibles are harder to find these days, moreso a decorative pair as intact as this. "Occupied Japan" was printed on ceramics, pottery, porcelain, toys, and other goods made during the American occupation of Japan after World War II, from 1947 to 1952. You can say that today, they were produced in limited number which account for their collectability.

These 4.5. inch porcelain pair with "occupied Japan mark depict an Oriental Couple, but I can't pinpoint which country. Most likely, the costumes are highly-stylized versions of ancient Japanese costumes. Or they could be also composites of Korean and Japanese clothes. In any case, the figurines have very nice colorings, with paint as vibrant as the day they were made. I guess collecting more Occupied Japan pieces will keep me, well, occupied for this year! I love these kinds of vintage kitsch!!

386. Meeting my Match: HULK HOGAN 16' VINYL TOY, 1984

Would you believe, wrestling superstar HULK HOGAN (aka Terry Gene Bollea), is almost 65 years old?? Considred as the greatest professional wrestler of all time, HULK HOGAN is perhaps the most recognized face in the wrestling world back in the 1980s. That’s because he was also visible in the movies, seen in “Rocky III”(1982) as the nemesis of Stallone.

He was also seen in several TV shows (Thunder in Paradise, Hogan Knows Best and China), and enjoyed a career as the frontman for The Wrestling Boot Band, whose record, Hulk Rules, reached #12 on the Billboard Top Kid Audio chart in 1995.

No wonder then that HULK HOGAN’s likeness was coveted by marketeers,promotions companies as well as toy makers, who tried to cash-in on the wrestler’s fame by turning him into various merchandising items—from trade cards, wrestuling costumes, video games and the most wanted—action figures!

This fine example—is actually the biggest HULK HOGAN figure to be made in 1985. The vinyl figure, made by LJN Toys Ltd., stands an impressive 16”. HULK HOGAN comes in his trademark red hanging shirt, white headband and wears his championship belt.

I found this on ebay—one of those items that were tagged with “Make an Offer” feature. So I did, and offered a ridiculous price for this complete piece, which, to my surprise was accepted (Secret: It cost the equivalent of a thousand pesos).  To this day, HULK HOGAN remains active on and off the wrestling scene, and managed to rise above adveristies--including a divorce that nearly bankrupt him!

No such things as retirement for HULK HOGAN...

Hulkmania rules!!!