China Vs Japan And Other Orient Stamps

I am going through some WW lots and am wondering if there is an easy way to tell the difference between the different countries of the orient. I can see the difference between the suns of Japan and China, But what if they dont have those. I wasn't really looking to learn the differences in the calligraphic symbols of each language, and thought maybe there was an "Easier, Softer Way" :)
Thanks.

Hi Guy. If you've got a Scott catalog handy, check there for an illustrated identifier. There is one in the back of the 2014 Classic Specialized catalog. You might also check the Amos Press (publisher of Linn's) or Subway Stamp Co., a large mail order philatelic vendor in Pennsylvania, for possible pocket guides for sale.

The Scott identifier shows a couple basic characters or symbols for each major Orient country that uses characters. Even better, Scott also has identifiers for Arabic and Cyrillic. Enjoy.

I agree, the identifier pages in the back of the Scott catalog are very good, because they show the images of what makes a stamp Chinese or Japanese, etc., if it doesn't have any Roman alphabet on it. If I'm recalling correctly, they also show the exceptions to that as well.

And, as Steve mentioned, they also include illustrated examples of all the other writing systems that are non-Roman.

If you don't have a Scott's handy, just check out any recent edition from the library. I don't think it changes much from year to year right now, but I think they made a lot of improvements to the identifier a few years ago, so newer is probably better than older.

Additionally, you can just post something here. (Even in this same thread.)

I've been intending to build a webpage that helps people sort through the tricky Japanese (and Japanese Occupation) stuff, and part of that is separating out the other Asian languages, too, so I'm always interested in knowing what gives people problems.

-- Dave

I would on occasion search by image on the web, but it's time consuming. I may be able to check out the 2012 catalog, or at least get photocopies for 10c a page. Thx.

I just had a thought and sent you an email through the system here.

Japanese stamps usually have the chrysathemum somewhere on the stamp