Understanding Japanese Collectible Condition Terms
When buying collectibles from Japan through proxy services or direct from Mercari and Yahoo Auctions Japan, you will encounter condition descriptions written in Japanese. Misreading a single term can mean the difference between receiving a mint-condition figure and a broken parts lot. This guide covers every condition term you need to know before placing a bid or request.
The Core Condition Grades
新品 (Shinpin) — Brand new, factory sealed. The item has never been opened. For figures, this means sealed box with all security tape and factory wrap intact. For trading cards, sealed booster packs or factory-sealed boxes. This is the highest condition grade and commands the highest prices on Yahoo Auctions Japan.
未使用 (Mishiyou) — Unused. The item has not been used but may have been removed from original packaging. This is common for figures that were displayed loose but never assembled or played with. 未使用 does not guarantee the box is perfect, only that the item itself is untouched.
未使用に近い (Mishiyou ni Chikai) — Like new. Used minimally with almost no signs of wear. Think of this as the equivalent of “open box excellent” on Western auction sites. Common for electronics briefly tested and reboxed.
目立った傷や汚れなし (Medatta Kizu ya Yogore Nashi) — No notable scratches or dirt. This is the standard “good used” grade. The item shows normal wear from handling but nothing that detracts significantly from display quality. Most collector-grade purchases fall into this category.
やや傷や汚れあり (Yaya Kizu ya Yogore Ari) — Some scratches and dirt present. Visible wear that you can see in natural light. Still fully functional and displayable, but not for someone who demands near-mint condition.
傷や汚れあり (Kizu ya Yogore Ari) — Scratches and dirt present. More significant cosmetic wear. For figures, this might mean paint chips, slight yellowing, or box damage. Price is usually discounted significantly compared to cleaner examples.
状態が悪い (Joutai ga Warui) — Poor condition. The worst standard grade before junk. Significant damage, major wear, or missing accessories. Only for parts or restoration projects.
High-Risk Terms: Junk and Untested
ジャンク (Junk) — The seller makes no guarantee about functionality or completeness. This is the most important term to understand for electronics, vintage games, and mechanical items. Junk does not mean broken — many junk items work perfectly — but it means the seller accepts no returns based on condition or functionality. Junk lots from Hard Off and Surugaya are popular with collectors who know how to identify value.
動作未確認 (Dosa Mikakunin) — Operation not confirmed / untested. The seller has not verified whether the item works. Similar in risk to ジャンク but often used for items the seller genuinely could not test rather than items known to have problems. Treat this with the same caution as junk.
現状品 (Genjo Hin) — As-is item. Sold in its current state with no warranty or return option. Usually accompanied by photos of the specific defects. Read the full listing description carefully when you see this term, as the seller is disclosing known issues.
Box and Packaging Condition
箱あり (Hako Ari) — Box included. The original packaging is present. For figures and model kits, this is important because box condition often accounts for a significant portion of resale value. 箱あり listings always command higher prices than 箱なし.
箱なし (Hako Nashi) — No box / loose. The item is sold without original packaging. Common for figures that were displayed outside the box for years. Significantly cheaper than boxed versions. If you plan to resell, note that going from 箱あり to 箱なし can halve the resale value for desirable figures.
箱痛み (Hako Itami) — Box damage. The item is complete and in good condition, but the box has dents, creases, tears, or other cosmetic damage. Common in lots where items were stored loosely. For display-only collectors, box damage is irrelevant. For re-sellers, it reduces value noticeably.
説明書なし (Setsumeisho Nashi) — No instruction manual. Missing the original manual. This matters for model kits and vintage games where the manual is part of the complete item. For Gunpla purchased to build, it is not a problem since instructions are available online.
Completeness Terms
付属品完備 (Fuzokuhin Kanbi) — All accessories included. Everything that came with the original product is present. This is the gold standard for complete items. Always look for this term when buying electronics or figures with multiple accessories.
付属品欠品 (Fuzokuhin Kakuhin) — Missing accessories. Some original accessories are absent. The listing should specify what is missing. For vintage game consoles, common missing items are power cables, controller ports, or AV cables.
欠品なし (Kakuhin Nashi) — No missing parts. A positive confirmation that the item is complete. Sellers use this to explicitly state nothing is missing, often in response to common questions about specific items known to frequently have parts missing.
Opening and Seal Status
未開封 (Mikai Fuu) — Unopened / sealed. The item has never been opened. The strongest condition claim for collectibles. For trading card packs, 未開封 means factory sealed with all original security stickers. For figures, it means the box has never been opened and the item is presumably untouched.
開封済み (Kaihou Zumi) — Previously opened. The item was removed from its packaging at some point. This does not mean used — many collectors open packaging immediately but never touch the item inside. Condition of the inner item should be described separately.
How to Read Japanese Condition Notes
Japanese sellers typically write detailed condition notes beyond the grade. Look for these patterns: dates of purchase (購入年月), storage conditions (保管状態), the reason for selling (出品理由), and specific defect descriptions (傷の詳細). When in doubt, MiyaBuy’s proxy team can request additional photos or clarification from sellers before you commit to a purchase.
When using a Yahoo Auctions Japan proxy, always review the full condition description carefully. Our team reads Japanese natively and will flag any concerns before bidding. For Mercari Japan purchases, condition photos are typically thorough — but understanding the text description prevents surprises. See our full guide to how MiyaBuy’s proxy process works.