Collection: Just arrived

Freshly released from the Japonista archive, one find at a time. Arranged by the date each piece became available on the store. Additional photographs and editorial detail are added as each listing completes our curation pass.

The newest pieces, in order

This shelf follows the calendar rather than a theme. Pieces appear here in the order in which they became available on the store, so the most recent arrival comes first and the range runs across bags, watches, jewellery, clothing, art and antiques. It is the quickest way to see what has newly reached Tokyo's curators, and the least predictable.

Because the pieces come from across the house, the question worth asking of each one is not what it is called but what condition it is in. A short grounding in how condition is described in Japan makes every card on this page easier to read.

A market built on a shared vocabulary

Japan's domestic reuse market reached a record 3.3 trillion yen in 2024, according to the Reuse Economy Journal, almost three times its size in 2009, and luxury goods are one of its most valuable segments. In a market of that size, dealers and buyers need a fast, common language for condition, and a letter scale grew up to provide it.

Two habits of ownership shape it. Many owners keep their pieces with unusual care, with bags in dust bags inside their boxes, watches serviced and kept with their papers, clothes folded in tissue. And Japanese buyers are exacting: a small mark that a buyer elsewhere might overlook is often photographed and noted. Used frequently means used gently, and descriptions tend to be precise.

Reading the letters

The scale runs from N and S, both indicating an unused piece, through SA, A, AB and B, down to C. Many dealers reserve N for items with full original accessories and S for unused items that may lack some. SA means near unused: used once or twice, or handled with great care, with wear visible only on close inspection. A means light use, clearly used but kept well. AB is a middle grade that some dealers use, with moderate signs of use. B means visible use, with obvious rubbing and marks. C and below mean heavy use or damage.

The definitions vary from one dealer to another, so the letters are a convention and not a standard. The written description and the photographs should always be read alongside the rank.

Words behind the grades

Japanese descriptions carry their own phrases. Mishiyo means unused. Shinpin means as good as new, a common description for SA pieces. Bihin, literally a beautiful item, means fine condition for a used piece. Chuko means used, or second-hand. Nan ari means with a fault, and the description should say what the fault is.

Accessories form the other half of the picture. A Japanese description usually names the fuzokuhin separately from condition: the hako, or original box; the hozonbukuro, or dust bag; a guarantee card for watches and some brands; for Hermes, the kadena padlock, clochette and keys; a receipt, which can support provenance; and for watches an overhaul record. Full set means every expected accessory is present, and for luxury goods these can affect value as much as condition itself.

Allowing for age

Condition is relative to years. A thirty-year-old bag in A condition is a remarkable survivor; a two-year-old bag in A condition has simply been used. Date stamps, date codes and serial cards help place a piece, and the house keeps guides to Hermes date stamps and to Louis Vuitton and Chanel codes.

How each piece is described

Every piece offered by Japonista is examined in Japan first. Condition is described in plain English, faults are photographed as well as strengths, the accessories that come with the piece are named, and the stamp, serial or reference is stated wherever it applies. Further photographs or measurements can be requested from the curator desk, which usually replies within one to three business days.

Looking for a piece that has not yet arrived?

Our Otoriyose private request desk can look within Japan for a particular piece, maker or size and reply with what is available.

Go deeper

Japanese condition ranks explained: the full guide to N, S, SA, A, AB, B and C
Authenticity and Condition: how a piece is examined, graded and documented
Hunting Salon: a search across Japan for a particular piece

Frequently Asked Questions

How are the pieces on this shelf arranged?

By the date each piece became available on the store, with the newest first.

Is the Japanese condition scale the same everywhere?

No. The letters are widely shared, but each dealer defines them slightly differently, so the written description and photographs should be read alongside the rank.