Item Number: RSF - D - 3 - β - 46
Object Description: This is a vintage hand-painted glazed porcelain figurine of a French Count, marked in the back underside “Paulux / Made in Occupied Japan,” which dates the piece definitely to 1945-1952. The American Occupation Era directly followed the fall of the Japanese Empire to the American Forces in 1945, marking the end of WWII. The yellow rose motif represents the overall jovial nature of the spirit that inhabits this piece. The beautiful details and the harken back to Versailles helps us determine that the entity within this figurine is obsessed with beauty and wealth.
Physical Details: The figure has his hand to chin as if lost in thought, yellow frock coat, embroidered waistcoat, breeches with green leaf motifs, black shoes, and a gold-trimmed base with a yellow rose. He stands on a scrolled circular base trimmed in gilt, with a small yellow rose at his feet. It is in good vintage condition with no chips or visible repairs upon inspection. There is some light wear from the trim in places normal for pieces of this period.
Dimensions: 8.5” x 3” x 3”
Tradition: This figurine contains what would be the first generation of Atomic Yokai, with more details provided below in the Story section. This can truly be seen as one of the first hauntings of the Atomic Age. Yokai are specific to Japan. There is no equivalent English translation, because Yokai are neither good nor bad. They are neither heaven sent nor from hell. Thus the words demons don’t really do it justice, though when anime have the title Yokai, that is often how they are translated.
Story:
In 1945, the United States dropped two atomic bombs on Japan: Nagasaki and Hiroshima. This ushered in the Atomic Age. Japan has always been a magical land. Shinto is the native religion of Japan. Unlike Western monotheism, Shinto believes in multiple gods (kami), spirits (yurei), ghosts (obake), goblins (oni), and demons (yokai). In Japan, a thousand year old tree could be a kami and a simple umbrella could be a yokai.
When the atomic bomb hit that magical island, it completely split the entire ecosystem of the Japanese netherworld. Indeed, every tree, rock, and living creature born after the atomic bomb bears the mark of it. This is how scientists are able to identify if something is post WWII. In a paranormal sense, the effect of the atomic bomb on the soil and water of Japan was permanently altered. During the years of the Occupation, this change was felt the most.
Like all figurines of this time, this figurine bears the markings of the atomic bomb having been made with the soil and water within a few months of it dropping. That is enough to make this into a level 2 yokai. However, these items were made in pairs. The Count should have a Countess. She is missing, and he is looking for her. That is what makes this piece into a level 3 Atomic Yokai. Like the atom, he was split from his pair. When the figurine reaches 100 years, it will become more active as per Japanese tradition.
After performing a seance, we have learned that he likes to be called Le Comte Valmont d’Hiroshima. He is looking for La Comtesse Valmont.
Supernatural Scale: 3 Le Comte gives incredible inspiration and power of beauty to its owner while also a sense of longing. It is through a lack, a missing part, that Le Comte is able to provide the owner with inspiration, beauty, and abundance. Le Comte likes to spit up halves as he is jealous of pairs. Missing socks, earrings, and other paired items will be common. Le Comte prefers to be near beauty, and will create situations of despair and longing if not placed within beauty.
Maintenance Scale: β - beta: Beginner. Le Comte is easy to manage. He just wants to be around beautiful things. By placing him near flowers or in a gorgeous cabinet, you’re guaranteeing to feel the effects of his blessings. Beware, you will have a very difficult time finding a match romantically with Le Comte. To increase his effects, place an earring missing its pair as an offering to him. If the owner ever finds Le Comtesse de Valmont, Le Comte will become a level 4 Atomic Yokai.
Item Number: RSF - D - 3 - β - 46
Object Description: This is a vintage hand-painted glazed porcelain figurine of a French Count, marked in the back underside “Paulux / Made in Occupied Japan,” which dates the piece definitely to 1945-1952. The American Occupation Era directly followed the fall of the Japanese Empire to the American Forces in 1945, marking the end of WWII. The yellow rose motif represents the overall jovial nature of the spirit that inhabits this piece. The beautiful details and the harken back to Versailles helps us determine that the entity within this figurine is obsessed with beauty and wealth.
Physical Details: The figure has his hand to chin as if lost in thought, yellow frock coat, embroidered waistcoat, breeches with green leaf motifs, black shoes, and a gold-trimmed base with a yellow rose. He stands on a scrolled circular base trimmed in gilt, with a small yellow rose at his feet. It is in good vintage condition with no chips or visible repairs upon inspection. There is some light wear from the trim in places normal for pieces of this period.
Dimensions: 8.5” x 3” x 3”
Tradition: This figurine contains what would be the first generation of Atomic Yokai, with more details provided below in the Story section. This can truly be seen as one of the first hauntings of the Atomic Age. Yokai are specific to Japan. There is no equivalent English translation, because Yokai are neither good nor bad. They are neither heaven sent nor from hell. Thus the words demons don’t really do it justice, though when anime have the title Yokai, that is often how they are translated.
Story:
In 1945, the United States dropped two atomic bombs on Japan: Nagasaki and Hiroshima. This ushered in the Atomic Age. Japan has always been a magical land. Shinto is the native religion of Japan. Unlike Western monotheism, Shinto believes in multiple gods (kami), spirits (yurei), ghosts (obake), goblins (oni), and demons (yokai). In Japan, a thousand year old tree could be a kami and a simple umbrella could be a yokai.
When the atomic bomb hit that magical island, it completely split the entire ecosystem of the Japanese netherworld. Indeed, every tree, rock, and living creature born after the atomic bomb bears the mark of it. This is how scientists are able to identify if something is post WWII. In a paranormal sense, the effect of the atomic bomb on the soil and water of Japan was permanently altered. During the years of the Occupation, this change was felt the most.
Like all figurines of this time, this figurine bears the markings of the atomic bomb having been made with the soil and water within a few months of it dropping. That is enough to make this into a level 2 yokai. However, these items were made in pairs. The Count should have a Countess. She is missing, and he is looking for her. That is what makes this piece into a level 3 Atomic Yokai. Like the atom, he was split from his pair. When the figurine reaches 100 years, it will become more active as per Japanese tradition.
After performing a seance, we have learned that he likes to be called Le Comte Valmont d’Hiroshima. He is looking for La Comtesse Valmont.
Supernatural Scale: 3 Le Comte gives incredible inspiration and power of beauty to its owner while also a sense of longing. It is through a lack, a missing part, that Le Comte is able to provide the owner with inspiration, beauty, and abundance. Le Comte likes to spit up halves as he is jealous of pairs. Missing socks, earrings, and other paired items will be common. Le Comte prefers to be near beauty, and will create situations of despair and longing if not placed within beauty.
Maintenance Scale: β - beta: Beginner. Le Comte is easy to manage. He just wants to be around beautiful things. By placing him near flowers or in a gorgeous cabinet, you’re guaranteeing to feel the effects of his blessings. Beware, you will have a very difficult time finding a match romantically with Le Comte. To increase his effects, place an earring missing its pair as an offering to him. If the owner ever finds Le Comtesse de Valmont, Le Comte will become a level 4 Atomic Yokai.
