Japan 1872

    The change from 1871 was that they now provided the stamps in sen currency with perforations.

The genuine postal stamps were engraved at very close intervals, which is why the perforations are usually extremely close to the edge of the image or even extend into the stamp image. The genuine block of four shown shows that close perforations are the norm and that tearing off individual stamps can sometimes result in odd stamp shapes. No counterfeiter imitated these unfortunate defects, which, can be considered a fairly unmistakable sign of authenticity of the perforated dragon stamps. Most  forgeriess lack this genuine feature..

Ths series commands a high premium and all the forgers listed in my "Japan 1871" blog participated.

The "secret marks found in the 1871 series apply.

NOTE the following forgeries account for a fraction of the total

0.5 sen

Genuine

Modern

Spiro

Used with Sanko

Used Wada no sanko

1 sen

Genuine

Spiro

Wada no Sanko

Wada no Sanko

2 sen

Genuine

Kamigata

Used wih Sanko

Used with Sanko

5 sen

Genuine

Genuine

Unknown

Hirose

Unknown with Sanko

Wda no Sanko

Japan 1972-75 Spiro & Wada

 The forger of Japan are well decribed in my blog on "Japan 1871". None were as prolific as Wada. In Europe the most prolific was Spiro. Both probably supplied Fournier. This blog will cover Wada & Spiro
Japan stamps are complicated for most collectors as they include multiple printings with added  syllables in small boxes printed in the lower middle.

 Here are the original stamps for comparison.

Spiro Forgeries

Most Japan forgeries have small sybles ( Sanko and Mozo)  indicating they are reproductions/forgeries. All the Spiro I have seen do not have them. They have the typical Spiro cancels.

Wada Forgeries

Note the signed (with Sanko or Mozo, the syllables and unsigned forgeries

Typical Wada cancels

Beware of modern forgeries, easily defined by their perfect features.