Kanji Roller WP #159-B is a 'holy grail' float.

Up until about 2010 there's was only 1 known example in collections.  The first one of these kanji rollers with the WP #159-B mark was a light blue color.  I've heard rumors that this float sold in a private deal many years ago for $8,500.  I'm not sure where it is now.

More recently a second WP #159-B appeared in photos.  This No. 2 float was a distinctive light green tinted color.  Just by color there was no doubt that it was a different float than the first one.

In April of 2023, I was shown a photo of this WP #159-B float and about drop dead.  At first, I knew it was one of the rare kanji rollers; definite not a 'Miyako' kanji roller.  In a knee jerk reaction, I immediately purchased it.  Only after the deal was finalized did I realize that it was the rarest of the rare kanji rollers.  It was a WP #159-B.

So how many WP #159-B's are there?  In my mind, there are probably three of them.  But the photos of the light green No. 2 aren't clear enough to show seed bubble to definitely prove there are three of them.  In-other-words, my third float could conceivably be the light green No. 2 mystery float.

So, what does the kanji on the roller say?  Since the Japanese language is not my strong suit, I'll leave that determination to others.  I do know that there certainly is controversy in the translation, even between experts. 

This kanji roller measure about 6 3/4 inches.

It was purchased out of a large collection with many valuable floats out of Augusta, Georgia in 2023.