Collector Guides
Collecting from Japan raises the same questions again and again. Is it genuine? What does this condition note mean? Will it work at home? What will customs charge? These guides answer them, category by category, with the same care we give the pieces themselves.
Buying with confidence
- Authenticity and Condition: how every piece is examined, and our guarantee.
- Authenticating Japanese Art and Collections: boxes, seals, certificates and provenance.
- Japanese Condition Ranks Explained: N, S, SA, A, B and C, and the words behind them.
- Import Duties on Luxury Goods from Japan: what to expect at your border.
- Payments, Shipping and Handling for High-Value Pieces
- Importing Large, Heavy or High-Value Pieces
- Documentation as Value: why boxes, tags and papers matter.
- A Concierge Is Not a Proxy
- Questions and Answers
Maison pieces and jewellery
- Why Japan Is the World's Finest Market for Pre-owned Luxury
- Louis Vuitton and Chanel: Date Codes, Serials and Microchips
- Louis Vuitton Canvases and Leathers
- Vintage Louis Vuitton Bags: Speedy, Keepall, Noé and Alma
- Caring for Vintage Louis Vuitton
- Louis Vuitton and Takashi Murakami, 2003 to 2015
- Antique Louis Vuitton Trunks
- Hermès Date Stamps Explained
- Hermès Leathers Explained
- Kelly or Birkin?
- Hermès Exotic Skins
- Hermès Silk Scarves: The Carré
- The Chanel Classic Flap
- Vintage Chanel Jewellery: Marks and Eras
- Vintage Gucci: Bamboo and Horsebit
- The Dior Saddle Bag
- The Fendi Baguette
- Bottega Veneta Intrecciato
- Goyard and Goyardine Canvas
- Cartier: Love, Juste un Clou and the Tank
- Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra
- Bvlgari Serpenti and B.zero1
- Tiffany Silver: Hallmarks and Eras
- Chrome Hearts Silver
- Japanese Gold and Platinum Marks
- Mikimoto and the Akoya Pearl
- Pearls Explained: Akoya, South Sea, Tahitian and Freshwater
Watches
- Buying a Watch from Japan: Originality, Service and Papers
- What Makes a Full Set?
- Rolex Reference Numbers Explained
- Rolex Serial Numbers and Production Years
- The Rolex Submariner
- Omega Speedmaster
- Audemars Piguet Royal Oak
- Patek Philippe: Calatrava, Nautilus and Aquanaut
- The Breitling Navitimer
- Grand Seiko and Credor
- King Seiko and Grand Seiko: The 1960s Rivalry
- Vintage Seiko Divers
- The Seiko 6139
- Seiko Astron: The First Quartz Wristwatch
- Vintage Citizen Watches
- G-Shock
- The Rise of Japanese Independent Horology
Art, prints and painting
- Japanese Contemporary Art: A Collector's Primer
- Japanese Artists by Era: A Collector's Directory
- Collecting Murakami, Kusama and Nara Prints
- Collecting Takashi Murakami
- Murakami's Flowers
- Yayoi Kusama
- Yoshitomo Nara
- Tadanori Yokoo
- Keiichi Tanaami
- Hiroshi Nagai
- Kohei Nawa
- Hajime Sorayama
- Ukiyo-e: Woodblock Prints and the Floating World
- Hokusai's Great Wave
- Hiroshige: The Tōkaidō and Edo
- Utamaro
- Kuniyoshi
- Yoshitoshi
- Shin-hanga Woodblock Prints
- Sōsaku-hanga
- Framing Japanese Prints
- Japanese Paintings and Art
- Reading Signatures and Seals on Paintings
- Nihonga Materials
- Hanging Scrolls and Folding Screens
- Upcoming Japanese Artists
- Shunga and Hidden Arts
Buddhist and sacred art
- Buddhist Statues and Sacred Art: the Archive
- How to Buy Buddhist Statues Safely
- How to Read a Buddhist Statue
- Woods of the Buddha
- Gold on the Buddha: Gilt Surfaces
- Displaying a Buddhist Statue at Home
- What Is a Butsudan?
- Caring for a Butsudan
- Butsugu: Altar Implements
- The Kamidana
- Goshuin, Omamori and Ema
- The Ethics of Collecting Religious Objects
Ceramics and lacquer
- Why Collect Japanese Porcelain and Ceramics
- Imari Porcelain
- Kutani Ware
- Raku Ware
- Hagi Ware
- Karatsu Ware
- Shino and Oribe
- Bizen Ware
- Tea Bowl Shapes: A Glossary
- Kintsugi: The Art of Golden Repair
- Japanese Lacquer: Maki-e and Urushi
- Maki-e Fountain Pens
- Porcelain, Silver and Craft Materials
Tea, craft and the home
- Tea Ceremony and Chagama
- Tea Utensils: Caddies, Scoops and the Tea Room
- Tetsubin and Chagama: First Use and Lifelong Care
- The Tetsubin: Collecting Cast-Iron Kettles
- Netsuke, Inrō and Maki-e
- Kiseru and Tobacco Pouches
- Okimono and Jizai
- Meiji Bronzes
- Kōro: Incense Burners
- Ikebana Vases
- Bonsai Pots
- Suiseki: Viewing Stones
- Mingei and Folk Art
- Tansu and Traditional Furniture
- Japanese Appliances Abroad: Voltage, Frequency and Transformers
- Japanese Massage Chairs: Buying and Shipping
Dolls, masks and lucky charms
Samurai heritage
- Samurai Armour: Power, Protection and Authority
- Kabuto: Reading a Samurai Helmet
- Tsuba: Sword Guards
- Koshirae: Sword Mountings
- Buying a Japanese Sword: Registration, Papers and Export
Textiles and garments
- Kimono and Textile Heritage
- Kimono Types: From Furisode to Komon
- Obi: The Kimono Sash
- Boro: The Art of Mending
- Kanzashi: Hair Ornaments
- Comme des Garçons, Yohji Yamamoto and Issey Miyake Archives
- Kojima and Okayama Selvedge Denim
- Evisu and the Osaka Denim Revival
- Kapital
- Nigo and Human Made
- Japan-Only Sneakers
- Japanese Heritage Flight Jackets
- Sizing and Fitting Japanese Garments
- Caring for a Souvenir Jacket
- Yakuza and Bōsōzoku Clothing
Toys and pop culture
- Japanese Toys: Play, Design and Cultural Exchange
- Shōwa Tin Plate and Soft Vinyl
- Kaiju in Soft Vinyl: Marusan and Bullmark
- Jumbo Machinder
- Tokusatsu Heroes
- Anime Production Cels
- Life-Size Shop Figures
- Why Collect Sci-Fi Robots
Cameras and audio
- Japanese Rangefinders: Canon and Nikon
- The Nikon F
- Premium Compact Film Cameras
- Japanese Hi-Fi: Accuphase and Luxman
Motoring and sport
- Exporting a JDM Vehicle or Parts from Japan
- JDM Parts from Japan
- Japanese Golf Clubs: Honma, Miura and the Star Grades
Reference tables
- Japanese Era Names: Dating Objects by Nengō
- Japanese Ring Sizes and International Conversions
- Japanese Shoe Sizes: Centimetres, US, UK and EU
- Traditional Japanese Measurements: Shaku, Sun, Monme and More
- The Japanese Zodiac and Sixty-Year Calendar
- Numerals and Dates on Japanese Boxes
- Glossary of Japanese Box Inscriptions
- Japanese Gift Customs: Noshi, Mizuhiki and Furoshiki
- Before You Buy: A Collector's Checklist
Directories of makers and brands
- Directory of Japanese Pottery Centres and Kilns
- Directory of Tetsubin Makers
- Directory of Showa Tin Toy Makers
- Directory of Woodblock Print Publishers
- Directory of Japanese Denim Brands
- Directory of Japanese Watch Brands
- Directory of Japanese Fashion Designers
- Living National Treasures in Ceramics
- Directory of Japanese Golf Brands
Glossaries
- Glossary of Kimono Terms
- Glossary of Tosogu Sword Fittings
- Glossary of Samurai Armour
- Glossary of Tea Utensils
- Glossary of Lacquer Techniques
- Glossary of Japanese Ceramics Terms
- Traditional Japanese Colours
- Glossary of Watch Terms
- Glossary of Pre-owned Luxury Terms
- Glossary of Toy Terms
- Glossary of Anime Collectables
- Glossary of Washi Paper
- Glossary of Netsuke Terms
- Glossary of Buddhist Statue Terms
- Glossary of Ukiyo-e Print Terms
Care and keeping
- Caring for Kimono and Textiles
- Caring for Hanging Scrolls
- Caring for Lacquerware
- Caring for Ceramics
- Caring for Luxury Leather
- Caring for Tin Toys
- Caring for Silver Jewellery
Cannot find your question here? Write to the curator desk. We reply within one to three business days, and the best questions become the next guide.
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