How to make a mint at Japan's antique markets
We walk the stalls with an expert buyer to learn how the pros go shopping and come out on topBy Lisa Jardine
Kawagoe antiques market swings into action on the 28th of every month.If you’ve been to an antiques market in Tokyo or one of the area’s many shrine sales in the past few years, it’s likely you’ve come across Jacqueline Wein -- or Tokyo Jinja as she’s known to her dedicated band of online followers.
She often draws small crowds waiting to see what gem she will pick up and examine. Selections made, it’s not unusual to find her making several trips between the market and her car, loading up purchases she’s made on behalf of her customers around the globe.
Jacqueline Wein runs the numbers at another sale.Wein’s fascination with treasure hunting started at a young age in flea markets and garage sales in the United States. This fascination led to Princeton where she studied history and art.From there she went on to deal in 19th-century silver -- a period directly influenced by the “opening” of Japan -- and spent several years in the 1990s in Hong Kong studying Chinese and Japanese antiques.
Helping clients integrate the quintessential piece into their home, regardless of their particular style, is her specialty. Wein prides herself in finding the one valuable object in a crowd of junk.
“One of the best deals I have encountered is the recent purchase of two Chizuko Yoshida butterfly prints from the 1970s,” she says. “They are in beautiful frames from Kato Galleries -- very expensive and high-end.
“The prints themselves are worth a few hundred dollars each, without the framing, although I paid less than ¥10,000. But my favorite purchase is a French drinks cart I bought at Kawagoe.”
Sounds like a place worth checking out, then.
The Kawagoe shrine sale, held on the grounds of the town’s Narita-san temple, 40 kilometers north of Tokyo in Saitama Prefecture, is one of Wein’s top picks.
“Kawagoe is unique as it’s positioned outside Tokyo with a broad range of dealers and great pricing,” she says.
“The town is historic and well worth a visit. I routinely make my best finds there.”
Expert advice
We recently spent the day there and as we walked the aisles she gave me a quick Japanese antiques primer; she was also full of advice.
Depending on the day, she’ll either do a rapid scan, assess and then go back to buy or if the market is crowded and people are buying, she will start at one end and walk the market, buying as she goes.
“Things will most definitely get away if you don’t,” she warns.
What to buy
A collection of Kawagoe's finest wares.“Locals collect differently than visitors -- they are more likely to buy nostalgic items; treasures that have referential value, like kokeshi dolls, maps or tansu chests,” says Wein.
“Right now, fishing floats and glass senbei canisters are very popular and the prices reflect that popularity.”
Visitors to Japan, on the other hand, are looking for furnishings to fit into their homes; pieces that have a history and a place of origin, like lanterns, milk glass lamps, architectural ornamentation and fine porcelain.
“Locals most likely live in apartments that won’t allow for remodeling and many of the items for sale are too large for a Tokyo apartment,” says Wein.
“And the Japanese tend to have more of a fascination with Western items – things you might find in your grandmother’s attic back home.”
More on CNNGo: Obata Antiques -- Tokyo's collectibles
Kawagoe antiques market swings into action on the 28th of every month.If you’ve been to an antiques market in Tokyo or one of the area’s many shrine sales in the past few years, it’s likely you’ve come across Jacqueline Wein -- or Tokyo Jinja as she’s known to her dedicated band of online followers.
She often draws small crowds waiting to see what gem she will pick up and examine. Selections made, it’s not unusual to find her making several trips between the market and her car, loading up purchases she’s made on behalf of her customers around the globe.
From there she went on to deal in 19th-century silver -- a period directly influenced by the “opening” of Japan -- and spent several years in the 1990s in Hong Kong studying Chinese and Japanese antiques.
Helping clients integrate the quintessential piece into their home, regardless of their particular style, is her specialty. Wein prides herself in finding the one valuable object in a crowd of junk.
“One of the best deals I have encountered is the recent purchase of two Chizuko Yoshida butterfly prints from the 1970s,” she says. “They are in beautiful frames from Kato Galleries -- very expensive and high-end.
“The prints themselves are worth a few hundred dollars each, without the framing, although I paid less than ¥10,000. But my favorite purchase is a French drinks cart I bought at Kawagoe.”
Sounds like a place worth checking out, then.
The Kawagoe shrine sale, held on the grounds of the town’s Narita-san temple, 40 kilometers north of Tokyo in Saitama Prefecture, is one of Wein’s top picks.
“Kawagoe is unique as it’s positioned outside Tokyo with a broad range of dealers and great pricing,” she says.
“The town is historic and well worth a visit. I routinely make my best finds there.”
Expert advice
We recently spent the day there and as we walked the aisles she gave me a quick Japanese antiques primer; she was also full of advice.
Depending on the day, she’ll either do a rapid scan, assess and then go back to buy or if the market is crowded and people are buying, she will start at one end and walk the market, buying as she goes.
“Things will most definitely get away if you don’t,” she warns.
What to buy
“Locals collect differently than visitors -- they are more likely to buy nostalgic items; treasures that have referential value, like kokeshi dolls, maps or tansu chests,” says Wein.
“Right now, fishing floats and glass senbei canisters are very popular and the prices reflect that popularity.”
Visitors to Japan, on the other hand, are looking for furnishings to fit into their homes; pieces that have a history and a place of origin, like lanterns, milk glass lamps, architectural ornamentation and fine porcelain.
“Locals most likely live in apartments that won’t allow for remodeling and many of the items for sale are too large for a Tokyo apartment,” says Wein.
“And the Japanese tend to have more of a fascination with Western items – things you might find in your grandmother’s attic back home.”
More on CNNGo: Obata Antiques -- Tokyo's collectibles
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