Old cast iron Japanese figurine

[Ramswin]

I bought this cast iron figurine of what I think is Japanese soldiers with a battering ram.
I got a partial translation from a co-worker of "tree warriors".
He also thought it was a company name first but couldn't tell me what it is.
If anybody knows what this might be I would appreciate any information.

Thanks

 

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[Discrimination Dave]

Hey Ranswim,
That is a very cool find. I would've bought it too. Has some interesting characteristics. First, it is read from right to left which speaks of its age. The text in the center that looks a little different from the rest (katakana) reads "Gu Ri Ko" (グりコ) followed by "corporation". This is a very famous and successful snack company located in Osaka. If I went to my food pantry right now (i live in japan) i would probably find several items made by this company. Today however, they use romanized text and spell it GLICO.(see image below). Also there is an iconic location in downtown Osaka with the GLICO running man. If you google glico images, that is what you will see most.

As for the rest of the text. There is nothing there to imply tree or trees but it reads (nikudan san yuushi no zou) "hand to hand three brave solders statue". This relic is absolutely before the end of the war. This would not jive with the postwar pacifist japan. Its probably an advertising paperweight. I say very collectible. congratulations on your cool find. Mail me if you ever decide to sell it. If not, would be curious to know how much you paid for it.

 

[shawninNY]

Thanks Dave, Nice translation and estimate on age!

 

[Ramswin]

Wow. Thanks alot for the info. I payed $4 for it.
Do you know where I could find out it's value?
I think I'll hold on to it for a while. It's pretty cool.
Thanks again

 

[Discrimination Dave]

Its value is just what anybody would pay for it. Id pay 20 bucks in a heart beat.
The reason i say that its collectible is because Glico is super famous in Japan. Not only for their superior quality, but the iconic running man in Osaka which is quite famous. You will see references to glico daily but something before the end of the war, Ive NEVER SEEN.
There is probably a japanese collector who would pay in the hundreds for it.
Hey, let me do a little research over the next week or so and i will get back to you on it!

 

[trikikiwi]

Well done on the translation Dave, but with respect, is it not GLICO rather than GILCO?

Mike

 

[Discrimination Dave]

Well done on the translation Dave, but with respect, is it not GLICO rather than GILCO?

Mike

Right on Mike!
Thank you. Ill edit those.

 

[Discrimination Dave]

Here it is dude!
This Japanese antique site is listing it for 389 dollars! (38900 japanese yen).
Told ya DUDE!

It says Year 12 Showa which means it was made in 1937.
Also, it was a free toy with Glico caramel candy (much like tootsie roll / cracker jacks did toy prizes).
Score dude!

Thats a great score for four bucks
http://antique-rasisa.com/SHOP/TO2896.html

scroll down to the bottom of the page and check out the last photo. It seems to have been an actual statue somewhere in japan that im sure has been long since removed.

 

[Discrimination Dave]

This figurine is based on three real life Japanese soldiers who sacrificed themselves during the Russo-Japanese War in 1932. It is known as the Shanghai Incident of 1932.
here is an old newspaper clipping from the two year anniversary.
it is now said to have been one of the greatest propaganda coups of the second world war.
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=tlYfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=q9IEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5581%2C1305590




Here is another link with more collectables based on these three.
nikudan3

There is even an old patriotic song based on these dudes:


TRIPPY!

Obviously very collectible from many perspectives (toys, military, artistic).
Dude, I'm tempted to say banner based on the four dollar price, but i know nobody else would vote on it.

 

[nhbenz]

Great work Dave!

 

[Ramswin]

Wow again.
I can't believe how much you found out.
Incredibly interesting stuff.

Thank you very much for your time and effort.

 

[Discrimination Dave]

some information on the three in the figurine
The Three Human Bullets | M1 Pencil