Vohann Boy in Kimono sculpture and its predecessor

I have a couple of statues/sculptures that I am looking for some information on. The first you may recognize as the ceramic version of a boy in a kimono done in 1962 by Vohann of California. Most everyone is probably familiar with Vohann. So on to the next one - This is the same sculpture, but done in some sort of metal (possibly bronze) of the same boy in the kimono. Other than being metal, the main difference is that my aunt and uncle lived in Japan back in the 60's and brought this one back and gave it to my mother as a gift (later on they found the Vohann version and gave that to her as well). The metal version is not by Vohann, and in fact it surely looks like Vohann copied this piece to come up with their own cheaper version of the real deal. At least that's my opinion. Maybe someone knows that story of where Vohann came up with their "copies".

As seen in the images the Japanese example does have what looks to be some sort of chop mark, though it's not very deep and somewhat difficult to see, though it does resemble the lower letter "g". I think that it looking like a "g" is just a coincidence. Anyways, I am trying to determine the maker of this metal version. Any and all input is deeply appreciated.

 

I am not familiar with Vohann
This should be in the Metalware Forum
and 1962.....not really much of an Antique....

Sorry........but that's all I got....

Maybe all the Vohann experts will be around by tomorrow...

 

Neither am I.

 

I wasn't either.....had to google.....Vohann of California............

 

We're an ignorant lot, aren't we.

 

Everyday we learn something new!!

Whether we want to or not.............